Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents sleep close to their baby at night without risk of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good idea to pick the larger size.
MFM mum home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too big for her baby's room. It's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted 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 fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for you when feeding babies. It must also be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can pull your baby towards you for night feeds or to soothe. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of recovering from a C section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
You should also consider how low you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mom test subjects saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot, you will need to begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted 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, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made her baby easier particularly after her c-section.
bedside sleeper cot is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's a bit larger than some of the other cribs for bed we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It has a great design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier for moms who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. You should look for a design which allows you to lower the side of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second clause 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 disconnected when the product's 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 bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.