Do Not Make This Blunder When It Comes To Your Large Bedside Cot

Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to be moved to a cot.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used around the house. It also comes with an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used for up to three years. old. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a good idea to pick the larger size.

MFM mum home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful when you are recovering from a C section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

You should also consider the height you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of traditional 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 well-liked option and one of our mom testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can push down with the click of a button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is because of the possibility of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this, so that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. Some of the most luxurious options include features like an integrated light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You can also find models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is perfect for new mums recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds up into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.

Safety

The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed, comfort them or change their nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from a C-section. It is recommended to choose the design that lets you lower the side of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily raise your child without getting out of bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product 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 components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In  twin bedside cot  in its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other types of use, such as bassinets and 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 an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will be examining these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be issued in the month of November 2021.