Choosing a large bedside Cot (blogs.cornell.edu)

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents 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 need to move into a cot or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was also easy to put together and came with 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 they are typically used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. Selecting the larger one is a good option if you want your child to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.

Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for the room of her baby. Jasmine says it's easy to get 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 less sturdy.

Emily, another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding babies. It also needs to be able to be lowered down to allow you to lift your baby closer to you during night feedings or soothing. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

It is also important to consider the level you would like the base of your crib to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has a collapsible side which you can use to press of the button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is because of the possibility of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you select a bedside crib with changing table sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for beds, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. There are also models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other bedside cot crib cribs we tested but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed for parents and children. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or his or her diaper. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. It is also important to be careful not to add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.

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

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between the bedside cot sale sleeper and the adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into different modes like bassinets and play yards. Several 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 requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside baby sleeper. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in the month of November 2021.