Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside crib travel cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to transition to an actual bed.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only intended for children who are the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good choice when you want your child to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.

Jasmine, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home-based 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 option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to 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 buy another mattress as 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 cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful in the event of recovering from 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 would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, others prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mom test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can push down with the click of one button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside co sleeper sleeper is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this, so that they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which allows you to reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be transformed 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 was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or large bedside cot Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean sections, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&baby bedside sleeper Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's slightly larger than some of the other cribs for bed we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel cot bedside bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or his or her nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from the C-section. You should look for the design that allows you to lower the side of the bed with a single button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.

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-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.