Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to be moved to the cot.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. Choosing the larger one is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.

Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She says it's easy to carry her child into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.

Emily, another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted in 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 be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot newborn cot, look for one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for feeding your the baby. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is particularly useful when you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.

It is also important to consider the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mom testers stating that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of a button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside crib and travel cot sleeper that can be converted into a cot it is necessary to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this to ensure they don't get out of bed or fall out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features such as an integrated night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. You may also find some models that can be converted to the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or those who have to remain in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections', she said.

Safety

A large bedside crib travel cot cot (click the up coming article)'s main safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her diaper. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. It is recommended to choose a design which lets you lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without getting out of the bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues like gaps between a bedside cot wooden sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which 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 other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using an attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as the 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 it votes on the final rule which is expected to be published in November 2021.