Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to transition to a crib.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger one.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the room of her baby. It's easy to carry her child into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product It's a bassinet that lifts off that you can move around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It must also be able of being dropped to the ground so that you can lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or to soothe. This feature is especially helpful when you're recovering from C-section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height of 58cm. 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 moms find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is situated at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mum test subjects saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of one button.
Remember that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you will need to take the sides off as soon as they are ready to do so. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.
bedside cot crib
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. You may also find some models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesareans or those who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mum 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 lightweight and easy to move. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was a great idea because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security characteristic is that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. You should choose an option that lets you lower the side of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to raise your child without having to get out of the bed. This is important, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.