Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby is required to move into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used around the home. It also has the ability 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. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used up to three years old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available that are large and standard both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger size.
Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or calming and that the quality is great in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that breathes. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be dropped to the ground so that you can pull your baby closer to you for feedings at night or for soothing. This is especially useful if you're recovering from a 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 up to 70cm.
You should also consider the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level and others prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the push of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance, usually at about 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bedside or bassinet which 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 climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the more extravagant options include features like an integrated light or a center of calm that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much easier - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat into its travel bag so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and infants. It is a fantastic design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant as it means you can move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary safety characteristic is that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an C-section. You should look for an option that allows you to lower the side of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding best bedside cot for newborn that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC determined that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will be examining these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.