Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will be required to move into a cot or moses basket.
bedside cot wooden was impressed that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available both large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands The Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy another mattress as your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It also needs to be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can lift your baby up towards you for feedings at night or to soothe. This is especially useful when you're recovering from an operation such as a 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.
You should also think about the height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with a collapsible side which you can use to press of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It's also important to know that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to get your baby's food in the right place. You can also find models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's a bit bigger than other cribs that we've looked at, but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's quite compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappy. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from a C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and 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 NPR released by the CPSC 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 parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other 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 height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
bedside crib travel cot 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.