Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to be moved to a bed.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used for up to three years. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler bed. The larger one is a good choice when you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
MFM mother home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily is another home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. bedside crib co sleeper was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. 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 an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It also needs to be able to be lowered down so that you can pull your baby closer to you for night feeds or for soothing. This is especially useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. bedside cot reviews of the more luxurious options include features like an inbuilt light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which allows you to reach your child to feed them. There are also models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be 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 bedside cribs we looked at, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and infants. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from the C-section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the side of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to easily raise your child without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets that can cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are entrapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.