Choosing foldable bedside crib , also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically used by children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. The larger one is a good choice when you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for the baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily is another home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of standard Moses baskets when they are 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 saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can use at the push of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, they will need to remove the sides once they are able to do this. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to lavish. Some of the more expensive options come with features like an inbuilt light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesarean births or who have to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after having a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we've tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
A large bedside cot 's main safety characteristic is the fact 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 perfect for new mothers recovering from a c-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, including pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of use, such as bassinets and 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 requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in the month of November 2021.