Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to move to an actual cot.

Mehack is an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically used by children up to the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available both large and standard both of which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be able to sleep in the larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger one.

Jasmine, a 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 her baby’s room. It's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's seen that feel flimsy.

Emily who is a home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted 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 have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your baby. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is especially useful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum testers saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can use at the push of one button.


Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that if your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you will need to take the sides off as soon as they are able to do this. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than the other cribs for bed we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. Cots 4 Tots Links to an external site. claimed that it was designed for both parents and infants. 'It has an excellent design that is very simple to operate and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be opened down to facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or her nappies. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C section. It is recommended to choose the design that lets you lower the bed's side with a single button press. This allows you to lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues that included 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 the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be released in November of 2021.