Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to move to an actual cot.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used around the house. It also comes with an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally intended for children who are the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard - which can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in the larger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is great, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't need to buy a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
You should also consider the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mom test subjects saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that you can push down with the click of a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance generally approximately 6 months. This is because of the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib, you will need to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be transformed into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after a C-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's slightly larger than the other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it's quite compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely 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 let down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the push of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are entrapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. bedside cot sale suggested the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in November of 2021.