Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large 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 they are +/- three.
Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for the room of her baby. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands The Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lowered away from the way, so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is particularly helpful when you are recovering from 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.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the cot's base to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher height to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice, with one of our mum testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can convert into a cot it is necessary to begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or fall out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as a built-in light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling footrest, which allows 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 has 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 take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after having a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's slightly larger than some of the other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat into its travel bag so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, describing how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important security feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. bedside cot for twins is why it's perfect for mothers who are still recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These could cause babies to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these products satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped by the bedside rail and 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 play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is considering 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 released in November of 2021.