Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to the bed.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used for up to three years. old. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler bed. If you want your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger size.

MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing, and the quality is top-notch, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a crib that is bedside, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mom testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of one button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs that are newborn bedside cot, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models that can be converted to the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds down into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.

MFM mum home tester Leya also liked the functionality 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. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was brilliant because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot (linked resource site)'s main safety characteristic is the fact that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or her nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still recovering from a C section. You should choose the design that lets you lower the side of the bed with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without getting out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to not add anything to the crib that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including 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 bedside cot for twins sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing 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 the month of November 2021.