Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to move to the crib.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was simple to put together, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used up to three years old. If you're considering a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available that are large and standard both of which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot beds. Selecting the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
MFM mother home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding the baby. It should also be able to be lowered to the ground to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C section. bedside crib with changing table and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is how low you want the cot's base to be. While some mothers 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. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is a collapsible side you can push at the push of a button.
Remember that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib, you will need to remove the sides as soon as 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 a variety of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that 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.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after the c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than the other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat into its travel bag so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be opened down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is the fact that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or his or her diaper. This makes it ideal for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. You should choose the design that lets you lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without having to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, like pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues 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 the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Many 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 minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.