Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby is ready to be moved to an actual cot.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also has an option to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used until three years old. older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. If you want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in the larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. It's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is great in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lowered down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or to soothe. This feature is particularly helpful 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 up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is how low you want the base of your cot to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is a collapsible side which you can use to push of one button.
Remember that bedside crib vs cot or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. Be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you will have to take the sides off when they are ready to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. Some of the more luxurious options include features such as an integrated light or a center of calm that plays music and sound and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards 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 opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's a bit larger than the other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed for parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is that it can easily be raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her diaper. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still be recovering from a C-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.