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 risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to the crib.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler bed. Selecting the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
MFM mother home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home-based 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 comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lower away from the way, so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the height you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, others 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 is an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the press of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you opt for 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 styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in nightlight and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. There are also models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for 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 having to get out of the bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. bedside sleeper cot cots4tots.co.uk includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds into its travel bag, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and babies. It is a fantastic design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, including pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of adding 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 side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these comments and others received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.