Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby is old enough to be moved to the cot.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model has an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also has an option to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used until three years old. old. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. The larger one is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for feeding your baby. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful if you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me Cot 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 can be adjusted to 70cm.
It is also important to consider how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our mum testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is a collapsible side you can push at the touch a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you must remove the sides when they are ready to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from simple to luxurious. Some of the more luxurious options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much easier particularly after her 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 has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs for bed we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for both parents and infants. 'It has an excellent design that is very simple to operate and is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C section. You should look for an option that lets you lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This will allow you to raise your child without getting out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
bedside cot sale of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements are not efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. Attachments can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will be examining these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.