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 the risk of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months when your baby will need to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.

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

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used for children up to the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which can be converted into a cot bed/toddler bed. Selecting the larger one is a good option if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.

MFM mum home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She claims that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that you can move around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as 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. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). wooden bedside cot can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for feeding your the baby. It must also be lowered out of the way, so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This is especially useful when you're recovering from 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 height you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher elevation to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It comes with an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the touch one button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the danger of suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to turn an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will have to remove the sides once they are able to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre which plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. You may also find some models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.

For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable 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 perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. rocking bedside crib was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds up into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections', she said.

Safety

The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. It is recommended to choose the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This allows you to raise your child without getting out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and more mobile. You should also not add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. Attachments can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.