Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to move to the crib.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used up to three years old. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot/toddler bed. Selecting the larger one is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until the age of +/- three.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. It's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is great when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with 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 some international or European brands. This means you don't need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lower away from the way, so you can raise your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is especially useful in the event of recovering from C-section. For bedside travel cot 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.
You should also think about the level you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mom test subjects saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you choose a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features such as an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to easily reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is perfect for new mums recovering from Caesarean births or who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after the c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. 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 lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed to be used by parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security feature is that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. It is recommended to choose an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as duvets and pillowcases, which can cause your baby to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However, the CPSC found that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.