Why We Do We Love Large Bedside Cot And You Should, Too
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will need to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model has an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also comes with an option to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically used by children up to the age of three. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler beds. If you want your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger one.
MFM mother home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home-based tester, is thrilled by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from an operation such as 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 up to 70cm.
You should also consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets when 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 has an easy-to-use collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot, you will need to begin removing the sides once your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't climb out or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for beds with a range of styles from simple to extravagant. Some of the more expensive options come with features like a built-in light or a center of calm that plays music and sound and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who require the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and babies. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly maneuverable and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be lowered down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The main safety characteristic of a 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, soothe them or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In baby bedside co sleeper In its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other modes such as bassinets and 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 minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will be examining these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.