Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to transition to an actual crib.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and a manual rocking function. It was also simple to put together and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
bedside cot sale and cots differ in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be converted 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 that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. bedside cot newborn says it's easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase a new mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your baby. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while 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 mums find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice, with one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you will have to remove the sides once they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or those who have to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made her baby much easier - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we've tested, but it folds into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed, comfort them or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these products satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different clause 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. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.