Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without risk of SIDS. However, they are only suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby is required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.

Mehack is an MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features a manual rocking bedside crib feature. It was also simple to put together and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used for up to three years. older. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger size.

MFM mum home test Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket but not too big for her baby's room. It's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or calming and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.

Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it does require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

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 should also be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can pull your baby towards you for feedings at night or for soothing. 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 an elevation 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 cot's base to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It comes with a collapsible side you can push at the touch the button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to turn the bedside sleeper into a cot you will need to remove the sides when they are able to do this. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of Bedside Rocking Crib crib, ranging from simple to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards best bedside cots Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean or require bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. 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 slightly larger than other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and infants. 'It has an excellent design that is extremely simple to operate and is extremely durable. She 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 make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

Safety

The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side with the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and 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 bedside sleepers, like 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 found, however that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bedside co sleeper bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be released in November of 2021.