Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside crib or cot cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to be moved to an actual crib.

MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was simple to put together and even came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cots differ in size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used until three years old. older. There are two sizes of wooden bedside cot cots, large and standard - which can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. Choosing the larger one is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they are +/- three.

Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding baby. It must also be lowered out of the way, so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

You should also think about how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is a collapsible side you can push at the press of the button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you must remove the sides when they are able to do this. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for beds, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the more expensive options come with features such as a built-in light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best bedside cot for newborn Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we tested, but it folds into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was brilliant since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is the fact that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C section. You should look for the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby bedside crib to become overheated.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between a 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 products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are entrapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.