Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to transition to a bed.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
MFM mum home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket but not too big for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. newborn bedside cot . It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It also needs to be able to be dropped down so that you can lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or for soothing. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C-section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to push of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this, so that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features like an integrated night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up 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 Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier especially after a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds up into its travel bag to make it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, describing how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or his or her nappies. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from the C-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (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 instance the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered 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 reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. This attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in the month of November 2021.