Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to transition to an actual crib.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the house. It also comes with a manual rocking feature. It was easy to set up, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard - which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. The larger of the two is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. 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 have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.
twin bedside cot
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered away from the way, so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from an operation such as 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.
You should also think about the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It comes with an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to touch one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib 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 needing to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's slightly larger than other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat into its travel bag so it's relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is a fantastic design that is very simple to operate and is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from a c-section. You should look for the design that allows you to lower the bed's side with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without having to get out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to different modes like play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when voting on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.