Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to move to a bed.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used up to three years older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good option to select the larger one.
MFM mother home tester 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 lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
bedside crib or cot , Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best 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 have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lowered down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby towards you for night feeds or to soothe. This is especially useful if you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level and others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mum testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the press of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby can hold their head up unaided, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to lavish. bedside crib or cot of the most expensive options come with features like an integrated light or a center of calm that plays music and sound and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. Certain models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or 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 particularly after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won 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 cribs we've tested, however it folds up into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and infants. 'It has an excellent design that is extremely simple to operate and is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The main safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. You should choose a design which lets you lower the bed's side with a single button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without getting out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation such as duvets and pillowcases, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product 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 in its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.