Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only suggested for use until 6 months when your baby is required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used until three years old. older. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. Choosing the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
bedside crib and cot , Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has a reflux incline 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 fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your babies. It must also be lowered out of the way, so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort 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 an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also 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 when the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easily collapsible side that which you can use to push of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a crib it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this, so that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to lavish. Some of the more expensive options come with features such as an integrated light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling 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 mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or require the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won 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 rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds down into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from the c-section. You should look for the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily raise your child without getting out of the bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related 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 additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse bedside sleepers to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.