Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to be moved to an actual crib.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also has an option to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot bed/toddler bed. The larger one is a good option if you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the room of her baby. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily, another home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit 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 perfect mattress for your cot.
bedside crib or cot
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lowered to the ground to allow you to lift your baby closer to you during night feedings or to soothe. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C Section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot to be. While some moms find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer a higher base 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.
Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will have to remove the sides when they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from falling out or climbing 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 sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who need to stay in bed for longer durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made her baby easier - especially after her 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 and has a machine-washable 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. She said it was designed to be used by parents and babies. 'It has an excellent design that is extremely maneuverable and is super-sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing as it means you can move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be opened down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be easily moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, comfort them or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to not add anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are entrapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in the month of November 2021.