Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months when your baby is required to move into a cot or moses basket.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has an integrated bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot bed/toddler mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a good option to select the larger size.

Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing, and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be lower away from the way, so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe 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 a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is how low you want the cot's base to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the touch the button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of bedside cribs, from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or a swivelling 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) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded 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 move them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much easier - especially after her c-section.

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

MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, 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 brilliant as it means you can move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot [Read the Full Piece of writing]'s main security characteristic is that it can easily be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or their diaper. This makes it ideal for mothers who still be 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 bedside crib without needing to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as duvets and pillowcases, which can cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues like gaps between a bedside crib with changing table 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 examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are entrapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.

Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.