Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents sleep close to their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to move to a cot.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to 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 terms of size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used by children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. If you want your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger size.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too big for the baby's room. It's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. baby bedside crib find that it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher height to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mom test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. Some of the more expensive options come with features like an inbuilt light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. There are also models which can be made into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds down into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was brilliant because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The main safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, comfort them or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby without getting out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. Attachments can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.