Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside cots for newborns cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to transition to the crib.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden bedside cot cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot bed/toddler mattress. Choosing the larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they are approximately three.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.

Emily who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. 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. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is particularly helpful when you are recovering from a C Section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to an elevation of 58cm. 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. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level and others prefer a higher level to provide them with more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with a collapsible side you can push at the touch one button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this, so that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. There are also models which can be made into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.

For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This is great for new mothers recovering from Caesareans or who have to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said that it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it a small bedside cot size when not in use.

MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib vs cot crib, describing how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It has a great design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from 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 that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her diaper. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should look for an option that lets you lower the bed's side with a single button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside cot crib sleepers which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. This attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is 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 sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be published in November of 2021.