Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby will be ready to be moved to the crib.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, 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. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used for up to three years. old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
MFM mom home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child 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 who is a home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike other 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 you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding babies. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful if you're recovering from C-section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the height you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums 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 is easy to use with a collapsible part that you can use at the push of a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance generally around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can convert into a cot it is necessary to begin removing the sides once 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 many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. Some of the more extravagant options include features such as a built-in light or a center of calm that plays music and sound and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that allows you to reach your child to feed them. Certain models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require a bed for longer durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier especially after a c-section.
Another alternative 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. bedside crib and cot 's a bit bigger than other cribs that we've tried, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed for both parents and children. 'It has an excellent design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it allows you to move the bassinet 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 main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC determined that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a 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 play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse bedside sleepers to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in November of 2021.