Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as co sleeper bedside cot-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants 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.

MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was easy to assemble and even came with a travel bag.

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, large and standard - which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. If you want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a great option to select the larger one.

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

Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for best bedside cot for newborn Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby bedside co sleeper grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It must also be able of being dropped down out of the way so that you can pull your baby closer to you for large bedside cot night feeds or soothing. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

You should also think about the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mom testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can push down with the click of one button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you will need to remove the sides once they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to lavish. Some of the more extravagant options include features like an inbuilt light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. Some models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesareans or who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than the other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappies. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.

The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.