Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to move to the cot.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with a bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also features the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used until three years old. older. If you're considering a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available both large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. Selecting the larger of the two is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.

Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for the baby's room. It's easy to carry her child into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is great, compared with many she's encountered that feel cheap bedside cot and flimsy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best bedside cot for newborn Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you don't need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be raised to a level that is comfortable for you when feeding babies. It should also be able to be lowered away from the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

You should also consider the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has a collapsible side you can push at the press of the button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to turn 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 stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best bedside cot for newborn Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or those who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed to be used by parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections', she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappies. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from a C-section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside baby bed sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between a bedside cot newborn sleeper and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.