Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co sleeper bedside cot-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents sleep close to their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However, they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the house. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used until three years old. old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger one.

MFM mum home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best bedside cot for newborn Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding baby. It must also be able to be lowered down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for night feeds or to soothe. This is particularly useful when you are 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.

It is also important to consider the height 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 when the base is situated at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher level to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you will have to remove the sides as soon as they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the most expensive options come with features like a built-in light or a center of calm that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. You may also find some models that can be converted to the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.

For example 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 a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a bed for longer durations of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cot sale cribs that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for both parents and infants. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was a great idea because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or their diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from a C-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side with the push of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to become overheated.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have 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 where infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets by using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be published in November 2021.