Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to transition to the bed.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to set up and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds 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 can be converted into a cot/toddler mattress. Selecting the larger one is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.
MFM mum home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She claims that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands The Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside pick one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be dropped down out of the way so that you can lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or for soothing. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C Section. For bedside crib travel cot and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, others prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to push of a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby can hold their head up unaided typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk 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 and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. Some of the most extravagant options include features such as a built-in light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which allows you to reach your child to feed them. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after having a C-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and is equipped with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds down into its bag for travel, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed for parents and infants. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing as it means you can move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary safety characteristic is the fact that it can easily be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappy. This means that it's ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side with the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will be examining these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.