Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to move to an actual bed.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used up to three years old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available - standard and large - both of which will convert into a cot/toddler beds. The larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.
MFM mom home test Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that it's quality is superior to others she has 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 rocking too. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
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When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be able of being dropped down so that you can pull your baby towards you for night feeds or soothing. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also consider the height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point and others prefer a higher height to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mom testers stating that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can push down with the click of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of bedside crib, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features like an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Certain models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features 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 the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after a 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 rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we've tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was brilliant since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they need to feed them, comfort them or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation 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) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.