Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby is required to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used by children up to the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which can be converted into a cot bedside bed/toddler mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger one.

MFM mother home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Emily is another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best bedside cot Cot Crib, 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 have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a crib for your bed, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It also needs to be able of being dropped down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for night feeds or for soothing. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C-section. For instance 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.

You should also think about the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mum testers saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of a button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs that are bedside cot mattress, ranging from basic to lavish. Some of the most expensive options come with features like an integrated light or a center of calm which plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (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 is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made her baby easier especially after a c-section.

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

MFM mum home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It has a great design that is extremely maneuverable and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot (continue reading this..)'s main safety feature is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her nappies. This makes it perfect for new mothers recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the push of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. It is also important to be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, including 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 that include gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they 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 would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.

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