Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without risk of SIDS. However they are only suggested for use until 6 months, when your baby will be required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.

Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also features an option to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.

Size

Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used by children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger size.

Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.

Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. 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 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. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a crib for your bed, choose one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It also needs to be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can pull your baby towards you during night feedings or for soothing. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

You should also think about how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum testers saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of one button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bassinet/foldable bedside crib sleeper that can be converted into a cot it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this, so that they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of styles of bedside crib that range from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features such as an integrated light or a center of calm that plays music and sound and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the 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 opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. 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 bedside crib feature. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.

MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety feature is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from the c-section. It is recommended to choose an option that allows you to lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby 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); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as 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 example the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use 4-in-1 bedside crib sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as the bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside crib with changing table. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.