Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents sleep close to their baby at night without fear of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to transition to a bed.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used for up to three years. older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler mattress. The larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they are approximately three.
Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
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 rocks. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that breathes. best bedside cots 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 fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed, choose one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. 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 particularly useful in the event of recovering from 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 to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the level you'd like the base of your crib to be. While bedside cots find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that which you can use to press of a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a cot, you will need to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of bed.
best bedside cot
There are a variety of styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to luxurious. Some of the most expensive options come with features such as an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. There are also models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for 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 other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby easier particularly after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds up into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and infants. It is a fantastic design that is extremely maneuverable and is extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from a C-section. It is recommended to choose a design which lets you lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to not add anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined 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 least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to 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 a bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were 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 issued in the month of November 2021.