Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the danger of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will need to move into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the feature that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. bedside travel crib convert into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used for up to three years. old. 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. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in the larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger one.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. It's easy to carry her child in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline for reflux 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. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered away from the way, so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is situated at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the push of one button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you will need to remove the sides as soon as they are able to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of bedside crib, ranging from simple to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is great for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births or who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds up into its travel bag, making it compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and infants. It has a great design that is very simple to operate and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security feature is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or their diaper. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. You should choose a design which allows you to lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This allows you to raise your child without getting out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues 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 components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC determined that these requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.