Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also known as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the danger of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to an actual crib.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, loved the feature that this model comes with an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also comes with an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot/toddler beds. The larger one is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.

MFM mom home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the best bedside cots Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It should also be able to be lowered down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby up towards you for feedings at night or to soothe. This feature is especially useful 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 consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to provide them with more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mom testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of a button.

Keep in mind that a bedside cot bed or bassinet should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib it is necessary to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for small bedside cot use, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the best bedside cots Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit larger than other cribs for bed we've looked at, Large Bedside Cot but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed to be used by parents and children. It has a great design that is extremely simple to operate and is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. You should choose a design which allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is 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 come out in November 2021.