Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their children at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to move to the crib.
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 home. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used by children up to the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler bed. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding baby. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially 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. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, others prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. Discover More is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the press of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which allows you to reach your baby for feedings. You may also find some models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or those who have to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for 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 bigger than the other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and babies. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from a C-section. You should look for the design that lets you lower the side of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily raise your child without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are entrapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets through the use of an attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.