Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.

Mehack, a MFM home tester, was awed by the feature that this model comes with a bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also comes with a manual rocking feature. It was also easy to put together and came in its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots and cots differ in size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. old. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.

Jasmine, an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was slightly larger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too big for the room of her baby. It's easy to lift her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.

Emily is another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot newborn cot, look for one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful if you're recovering from a C-section. For example 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.

It is also important to consider how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mom testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can push down with the click of a button.

Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby can hold their head up unaided generally around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will have to take the sides off when they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside cot newborn use that range from basic to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that makes it easier to reach your baby for Large Bedside Cot feedings. You can also find models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, 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 move them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is great for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, but it folds into its travel bedside crib bag, making it a small size when not in use.

MFM mum home tester Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib, explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot (Opencbc.com)'s main security feature is that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappies. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. You should choose an option that lets you lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product that include gaps between a bedside cot bed sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.

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