Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their infants at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to move to the crib.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also comes with an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. older. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available both large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. If you want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good option to select the larger one.
Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards 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. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside pick one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be lower out of the way, so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful when you are recovering from a C section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is how low you want the base of your cot. While bedside cots uk find it easier to lift their children out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mum testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is a swivelling footrest that allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, 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 needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a 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 and comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib she explained how it was created with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who are still recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, including duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC concluded that such 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 into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.