Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their infants at night without the danger of SIDS. However, they are only suitable for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. If you want your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger size.

Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to 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 a maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

You should also consider the height you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level and others prefer a higher height to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mom testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of one button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance typically about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bassinet/bedside baby bed sleeper that can be converted into a crib it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or get out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to extravagant. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as an inbuilt 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 allows you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You can also find models which can be made into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.

For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made her baby much easier especially after a c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's bigger than other cribs we tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and children. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing as it means you can move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or their diaper. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still recovering from a C section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of the bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).

In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is 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 cot used sleepers. The Commission will be examining these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be published in November of 2021.