Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the danger of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will need to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used for up to three years. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot bed/toddler bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger one.
Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special 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 comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lower out of 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 an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
You should also think about how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level and others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with a collapsible side you can press at the push of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a cot it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of bedside crib, ranging from simple to lavish. Some of the more extravagant options include features such as an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which allows you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You can also find models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's slightly larger than other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat into its travel bag so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the push of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues like gaps between a 4-in-1 bedside crib sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside crib and travel cot sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside cots for newborns sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. A number of 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 requirement for bassinets through the use of a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to be released in November 2021.