Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with a bassinet that can be used around the home. It also comes with a manual rocking feature. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only intended for children who are the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.
Jasmine is an 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 her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered out of the way, so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful 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.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with a collapsible side you can push at the push of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. Be aware that when your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, you will have to remove the sides once they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a bed for longer durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag, making it compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was brilliant since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be 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 perfect for new mothers recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side with the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that can be converted to different modes like play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.