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 children at night without the danger of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to be moved to an actual bed.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the feature that this model comes with an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically used by children up to the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler bed. Choosing the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, said she liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding the baby. It must also be lowered away from the way, so you can lift up your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option and one of our mom test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. Some of the more expensive options come with features like an inbuilt light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for parents and babies. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was brilliant because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security feature is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. foldable bedside crib is ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of bed. This is important, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, including pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
large bedside crib includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered 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 rails that are lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. 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.