Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the danger of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months when your baby will be required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot mattress. The larger of the two is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
MFM mother home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. cheap bedside cot says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe, and that its quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home tester, 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 comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your babies. It must also be able to be lowered down to allow you to lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or soothing. This is particularly useful when you are recovering from a C section. For instance, the Next2me 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.
You should also think about the height you would like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets if 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 well-liked option and one of our mom test subjects saying that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance typically approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. There are also models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's slightly larger than some of the other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. 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 ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security characteristic is that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or his or her diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side at the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
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 parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However, the CPSC found that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes such as bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will be examining these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be released in November of 2021.