Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their children at night, without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to transition to the cot.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has 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 cot beds differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used until three years old. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available that are large and standard both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. Choosing the larger of the two is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, said she liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the room of her baby. It's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is great, compared with many she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. 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 many international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It should also be able to be dropped to the ground so that you can lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or for soothing. This is especially useful when you're recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level and others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has a collapsible side you can push at the touch a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance, usually at about 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you must take the sides off once they are able to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. Certain models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is very simple to operate and is super-sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing as it means you can move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or her nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should choose the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could 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 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 examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. This Web page will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.
