Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby will need to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. The larger one is a good option when you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
MFM mum home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. It's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able of being dropped to the ground to allow you to lift your baby closer to you during night feedings or soothing. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a 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 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 lowest height, others prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mum testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is because of the danger of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. There are also models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in bed for longer durations of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than some of the other bedside cribs we looked at, but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for moms who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from the C-section. You should look for the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This allows you to lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. bedside cosleeper Cots For Tots 'll also want to be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, including pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are entrapped by a 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 different modes like bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets by using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.