Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months, when your baby will need to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a good idea to pick the larger size.
Jasmine, an MFM mother who tested the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lowered away from the way, so you can raise your baby to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from a 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 height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mum test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of the button.
Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally approximately 6 months. bedside cot wooden is because of the possibility of being suffocated. Be aware that when your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you will need to take the sides off when they are able to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and 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 opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesarean sections, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier 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 liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs for bed that we tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, 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 children. It is a fantastic design that is incredibly maneuverable and is extremely durable. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still recovering from a C section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, including pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that could be converted into different modes like bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.