Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also known as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby is required to move into a cot or moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used by 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. Choosing the larger of the two is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.

MFM mum home test Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for her baby bedside sleeper's room. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.

Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. 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 an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It must also be lower away from the way, so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.

It is also important to consider the height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easily collapsible side that you can press at the touch a button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby can hold their head without assistance typically about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of bedside cribs, from simple to luxurious. Some of the most expensive options come with features like an integrated light, a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is a swivelling footrest that allows you to reach your child to feed them. You can also find models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is great for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds up into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside cot sale crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and babies. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her diaper. This makes it ideal for mothers who are still be recovering from a 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 without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between the 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 adding additional requirements to bedside cots for newborns sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that 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 a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.