Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
bedside travel cot cots, also referred as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their children at night without the danger of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to a cot.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also comes with a manual rocking feature. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. 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 usually two sizes available both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler beds. If you'd like your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger size.
Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. She claims that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase a new mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed pick one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so you can raise your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C-section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to lift their children out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easily collapsible side that you can press at the touch the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. 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 when they are ready to do this. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to extravagant. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. There are also models that can be converted to a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&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 opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's a bit larger than other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is a fantastic design that is very simple to operate and is extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
A
large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the
bedside cot 6 months plus sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use
bedside travel cot sleepers that could be converted into different modes like play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision 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 can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.