Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to 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 is required 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 throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. Selecting the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they are approximately three.
Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the room of her baby. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for night feeding or calming and the quality is top-notch when compared to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from an operation such as a 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.
bedside co sleeper cot is also important to consider the level you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our testers for mums stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easily collapsible side that you can press at the press of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is because of the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. Some of the more extravagant options include features such as an inbuilt light, a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is great for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds up into its travel bag, making it compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security feature is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappies. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should look for an option that allows you to lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues like 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 looked into the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be published in November 2021.