Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will need to move into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They also often convert into toddler beds, while they are typically used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's an excellent option to select the larger size.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home-based 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 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. Contrary to some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It should also be able of being dropped down so that you can pull your baby up towards you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of recovering from a C section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some moms find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option and one of our mom test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can push down with the click of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance generally about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or fall out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the more luxurious options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has 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 when you need to feed them. Some models can be transformed into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby much easier particularly after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds down into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly maneuverable and is super-sturdy. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they need to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. bedside rocking crib makes it ideal for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. You should look for an option that lets you lower the side of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily raise your child without having to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the crib that increases the chance 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 issues with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In check , the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.