Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to transition to an actual bed.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. They can also be converted 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 converted into a toddler bed or cot. The larger of the two is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into 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-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be lowered out of the way, so you can lift up your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
You should also consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mom test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot, you will need to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this, so that they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in bed for longer durations of time. bedside cot reviews is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after the c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is very simple to operate and is super-sturdy. She also 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 make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important security feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side with the push of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues, such as gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different 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 using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions 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 2021.
