Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also known as Co sleeper bedside cot-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their infants at night without the danger of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to transition to the bed.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used throughout the home. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was easy to assemble and even came with a travel cot bedside crib bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available both large and standard both of which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot mattress. If you want your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger size.

Jasmine, an MFM mother who tested the product at home, liked that it was slightly larger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you don't need to buy a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal 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 able to be lowered down to allow you to lift your baby towards you for night feeds or to soothe. This is especially useful when you're recovering from C-section. For example, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mom testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of the button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you will have to take the sides off when they are able to do so. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.

For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after the c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best bedside cots 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 cheap bedside cot cribs we looked at, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed to be used by parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. She said that the bassinet's pivoting 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

The most important security feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side with the press of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to become overheated.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer assembly errors (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 these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements are not efficient or feasible to reduce the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside crib travel beds which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.