Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was also simple to put together and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically 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 able to sleep in a larger cot, it's a great option to select 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 not too big for the baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based tester, 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 an incline for reflux 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. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lower away from the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle 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 babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mom testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can use at the push of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided, usually at about 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 turn an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you will have to take the sides off once they are able to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the most luxurious options include features such as an inbuilt light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed 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 which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made her baby much easier especially after a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs for bed that we tested, but it folds into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and infants. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. 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 facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
bedside cot reviews of a bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still be recovering from a C-section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation such as duvets and pillowcases that can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between a bedside sleeper 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 an alternative provision for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to be published in November 2021.