Choosing a large bedside cot (Recommended Web site)

bedside crib travel cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to move to an actual bed.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds vary in size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for children up to the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available that are large and standard both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler mattress. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger size.

MFM mother home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Another home tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It should also be able to be dropped down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby towards you for night feeds or soothing. This is especially useful if you're recovering from 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.

Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest height, others prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice, with one of our mom testers stating that it is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can push down with the click of the button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is because of the risk of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to turn an existing bedside cot wooden or bassinet into a cot, they will need to remove the sides once they are able to do this. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to extravagant. Some of the more extravagant options include features such as an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or 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 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 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 great for new mothers recovering from Caesareans or who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a 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 liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit larger than the other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed for parents and babies. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant as it means you can move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to facilitate access especially for new mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or his or her nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from a c-section. It is recommended to choose the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your baby grows 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 CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between a foldable bedside crib sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside cosleeper sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse 4-in-1 bedside crib sleepers to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.