Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

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

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use in the home and a manual rocking function. It was easy to set up and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds vary in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for 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. The larger one is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to lift her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and the quality is top-notch when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also nominated 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 do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It must also be lower away from the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.

You should also think about how low you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mom test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can push down with the click of a button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which 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 the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for beds, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or require bed for longer durations of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier particularly after her c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds down into its travel cot bedside bag to make it a small size when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside travel crib crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from an c-section. It is recommended to choose the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without having to get out of bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to become overheated.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside cot reviews sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse bedside cot bed sleepers to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into account these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.