Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to rest close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while they are typically used until three years old. old. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler bed. Choosing the larger one is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. She says it's easy to lift her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel 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 you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). bedside cot for twins can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your baby. It should also be able to be lower away from the way, so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is especially helpful when you're 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 up to 70cm.
You should also think about how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point and others prefer a higher height to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that you can use at the push of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. you could try these out is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot you must remove the sides once they are ready to do so. This will stop 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 expensive options come with features like a built-in light or a center of calm that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. You can also find models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's slightly larger than other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom 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 a fantastic design that is extremely easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The main safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who are still recovering from a C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of injury or suffocation like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues, such as 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 examined the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.