Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also known 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 suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby will be required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and it came with a travel bedside crib bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. If you'd like your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's an excellent option to select the larger one.

Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was slightly larger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for the room of her baby. She claims that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that breathes. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, 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 purchase another mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised to a level that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It should also be able to be lowered away from the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C-section. For instance, 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.

Another thing to think about is how low you want the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the press of the button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you will need to take the sides off once they are ready to do this. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models which can be made into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is great for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than some of the other cribs that we've looked at, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.

Safety

The bedside cot used cot's primary safety characteristic is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappies. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an C-section. It is recommended to choose a design which lets you lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child without getting out of bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, 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 lowered side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped between the Bedside co sleeper cot rail as well as an adult bed.

The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside cot newborn sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.