Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler beds. The larger of the two is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for the room of her baby. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It also needs to be able to be dropped to the ground so that you can lift your baby towards you for feedings at night or to soothe. This feature is particularly helpful when you are recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets if the base is situated at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is a collapsible side you can push at the push of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is because of the risk of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, they must take the sides off as soon as they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of bedside crib with a range of styles from simple to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to easily reach your child for feedings. You can also find models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's slightly larger than other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat into its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for both parents and children. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security characteristic is that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from the C-section. You should look for a design which lets you lower the side of the bed with a single button press. This allows you to lift your child up without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, like pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like 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 the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. Attachments can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. travel cot bedside crib will consider these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.