Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to move to an actual crib.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used throughout the home. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used for up to three years. old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. Choosing the larger of the two is a good option if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for the baby's room. She says that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Unlike some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed choose one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your baby. It also needs to be able to be lowered down so that you can pull your baby closer to you for night feeds or for soothing. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and 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 consider the height you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level and others prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. One of our testers for mums stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has a collapsible side you can press at the touch a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head without assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you will have to take the sides off once they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be transformed into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to remain in bed for extended periods. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds up into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and children. bedside crib travel is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an C-section. It is recommended to choose the design that allows you to lower the side of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily raise your child without getting out of the bed. This is important, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases that can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. bedside crib co sleeper of commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. This attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.