Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the danger of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to be moved to the crib.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for children up to the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler mattress. If you want your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a larger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger size.
MFM mother 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. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
best bedside cot
When choosing a bedside cot choose one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some mums find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mom testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance, usually at about 6 months. This is because of the risk of being suffocated. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you must take the sides off when they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features such as a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's bigger 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.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed for parents and children. It is a fantastic design that is very simple to operate and is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was a great idea because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they need to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappies. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side with the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.