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 risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to be moved to the cot.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are 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 of the two is a good option when you want your child to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too big for the room of her baby. She says that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline for reflux and 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 compatible with a 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. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for feeding your baby. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially helpful when you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
bedside co sleeper is also important to consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mom test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that you can press down at the touch of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of bedside crib, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said 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 liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds up into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was brilliant because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets that can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances where infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.