Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby will need to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the feature that this model comes with a bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger one is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was a little bigger than a 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 for evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily is another home-based tester, is thrilled by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
It is also important to consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher height to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mum testers stating 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 is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you will need to remove the sides as soon as they are ready to do this. twin bedside cot will prevent them from falling out or climbing out of 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 nightlight or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. You can also find models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, 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 other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. agree with this claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
The most important security aspect 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, comfort them, or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from an c-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side at the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds that can be transformed into different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be published in the month of November 2021.