What Is The Evolution Of Large Bedside Cot
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without risk of SIDS. However bedside crib or cot are not suitable for use up to 6 months when your baby is required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. They can also be converted into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used up to three years older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available both large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. Choosing the larger of the two is a good option when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical 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 excellent, compared with many she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands The Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able of being dropped down so that you can pull your baby towards you for night feeds or for soothing. This is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider the level you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point and others prefer a higher height to provide them with 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 press down at the touch of one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance typically about 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. Be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, they will need to take the sides off once they are ready to do so. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs that are bedside, ranging from simple to luxurious. Some of the more extravagant options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sound 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 when you need to feed them. You may also find some models that can be converted to a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to pick up your baby and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to remain in bed for extended periods. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's a bit bigger than the other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed for parents and children. It is lightweight and easy to move. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is the fact that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from a c-section. It is recommended to choose the design that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This allows you to raise your child without getting out of the bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between the bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that can be converted to other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. bedside cosleeper will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.