Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only suggested for use until 6 months when your baby will need to move into a cot or moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds vary in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only 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 toddler bed or cot beds. Choosing the larger of the two is a good choice when you want your child to sleep in it until they are approximately three.

Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for the baby's room. It's easy to lift her baby in and out for night feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.

Another home tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best bedside cot Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful in the event of recovering from C-section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height 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. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that you can press at the push of a button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, they will need to take the sides off when they are able to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. Some of the most expensive options come with features like an integrated light or a center of calm which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. You may also find some models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, best bedside cot for newborn Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mums recovering from Caesarean births or who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made her baby easier - especially after her c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best bedside cot for newborn Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's a bit bigger than the other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is extremely simple to operate and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is the fact that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her diaper. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from the C-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems, such as 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 looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside travel crib sleepers. For instance, these products would have 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 practical or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped between a bedside crib to cot rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.