Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without risk of SIDS. However they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby is required to move into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. Selecting the larger one is a good option when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
MFM mum home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that you can move around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to some International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your babies. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up 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 the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice, with one of our mum test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up without assistance generally about 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 convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you must remove the sides once they are able to do so. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to lavish. Some of the most luxurious options include features such as a built-in light, a soothing center that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling footrest, which allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. You can also find models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
For funny post that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require bed for longer durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's bigger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds up into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is easy to move and 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 lowered down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side with the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These could cause babies to become overheated.
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) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need 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 determined, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using an attachment that can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.