Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to move into a cot or a moses basket.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the home. It also comes with a manual rocking feature. It was also simple to put together and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available that are large and standard both of which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot mattress. If you want your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards 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. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It also needs to be able to be dropped to the ground to allow you to lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or for soothing. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C-section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point and others prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mum test subjects saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to press down at the touch of one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up without assistance, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to turn an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you must take the sides off when they are ready to do this. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to get your baby's food in the right place. You may also find some models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also is equipped with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's slightly larger than other cribs for bed we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for parents and infants. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security feature is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed, comfort or change his or their nappies. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side with the press of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without getting out of bed. bedside crib that turns into cot is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. It is also important to not add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. Attachments can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby 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 be examining these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.