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 danger of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will need to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, loved the feature that this model comes with an integrated bassinet that can be used around the home. It also has 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 in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However cots are generally intended for children who are the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. The larger of the two is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.
rocking bedside crib , a MFM mom who tried the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She says it's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that you can move around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. rocking bedside crib was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands The Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for feeding your babies. It should also be able to be lowered out of the way, so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from 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 up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the level you would like the base of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher height to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has a collapsible side which you can use to press of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head without assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you must remove the sides as soon as they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features like an integrated night light or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own 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 an adjustable base that lets you pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who have to remain in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than some of the other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed for parents and babies. It is a fantastic design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The most important safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. It is recommended to choose a design which lets you lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This allows you to raise your child without getting out of bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
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), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In bedside cots uk looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into account these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.