Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to be moved to a cot.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler beds. Choosing the larger one is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.
Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the room of her baby. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for feeding or soothing and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside, choose one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that when your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you will have to remove the sides as soon as they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of bedside crib with a range of styles from simple to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be transformed into an infant 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&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require bed for longer durations of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to operate 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 as the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds up into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. newborn bedside cot claimed that it was designed for both parents and infants. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. 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 ease access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security feature is that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or his or her diaper. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows that can cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these products satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be released in the month of November 2021.