Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will need to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and a manual rocking function. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only intended for children who are the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. If you want your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in the larger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger size.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for feeding or calming and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based 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 rocking too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. 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 some international or European brands. This means that you don't need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be dropped down so that you can pull your baby closer to you for night feeds or for soothing. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from 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 can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also think about how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their infants from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher height 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 you can press down at the touch of one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally 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 a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, they will have to take the sides off when they are able to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of bedside crib that range from basic to extravagant. Some of the more expensive options come with features like an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You may also find some models which can be made into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is great for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds up into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.
rocking bedside crib liked the functionality of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is very maneuverable and is super-sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was brilliant because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security feature is that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. It is recommended to choose the design that allows you to lower the bed's side with a single button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without having to get out of bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these products satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.