Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to be moved to the crib.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was easy to set up and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used until three years old. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a good option to select the larger one.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for the room of her baby. It's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
bedside cots uk , another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It also needs to be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can lift your baby towards you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the height you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mum testers stating that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can use at the push of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure they don't get out of bed or fall out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. You can also find models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to remain in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than some of the other cribs that we've looked at, but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it's quite compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, comfort them or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows that can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets by using an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.