Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the danger of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to be moved to an actual crib.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used for up to three years. older. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot bed/toddler bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger size.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cots cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.

Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

You should also consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher height to give them more stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has a collapsible side you can press at the push of one button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. Be aware that if your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you must take the sides off when they are able 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 lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs we've tested, but it folds up into its travel bag, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and children. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for moms who are recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or their diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. You should look for an option that allows you to lower the side of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to become overheated.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside crib and cot sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the amazon bedside cot sleeper and the adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds that can be transformed into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multiuse bedside crib or cot sleepers to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.