Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to be moved to a cot.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and a manual rocking function. It was also simple to put together and came with its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger of the two is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too big for the 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 great, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. 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 an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for feeding your babies. large bedside cot must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the 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 base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher level to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice, with one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for beds with a range of styles from simple to luxurious. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. There are also models which can be made into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that 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 to be the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed to be used by parents and infants. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The most important security characteristic of a bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappies. This makes it perfect for new mothers recovering from an C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and more mobile. It is also important to be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product that include gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds 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 would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the 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 by using an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule that is expected to be released in November 2021.