Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents sleep close to their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to move into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used for up to three years. old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.
Jasmine, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. It's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as 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. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding the baby. It must also be able of being dropped to the ground to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for night feeds or to soothe. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, you will need to take the sides off as soon as they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of bedside crib that range from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (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 for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds into its bag for travel, making 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 to be used by parents and babies. It has a great design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappies. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should choose the design that lets you lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is important, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
bedside travel cot is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.