Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also known as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to be moved to a cot.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used throughout the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together and even came with a travel bag.

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 older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a great option to select the larger one.

Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.

Emily, another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best bedside cot for newborn 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 need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your baby. It should also be able to be lowered away from the way, so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from C-section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It comes with a collapsible side you can press at the touch a button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to turn an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will need to remove the sides once they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from falling out or climbing out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to easily reach your child for feedings. You can also find models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot for bedside bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.

For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made her baby much easier especially after a c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.

MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with babies and parents in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was brilliant since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

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 child to feed or comfort him or their diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from the c-section. It is recommended to choose a design which allows you to lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation 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 like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR involved multiuse twin bedside cot sleepers that can be converted to other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.