Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby is required to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used around the house. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the room of her baby. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you when feeding babies. It also needs to be able of being dropped down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for night feeds or soothing. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C section. For example 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 think about is how low you want the base of your cot to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. One of our mum testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the push of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance, usually at about 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot it is necessary to begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after a 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 and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and infants. bedside cot for twins is easy to move and super-sturdy. She 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 lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. You should look for the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets using an attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.