20 Resources That Will Make You More Effective At Large Bedside Cot
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to the cot.
MFM home tester Mehack loved the fact that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and a manual rocking function. It was easy to assemble and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. If you want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in the larger cot, it's a great idea to pick the larger size.
MFM mum home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and that the quality is great when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted 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 you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C Section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
You should also think about how low you would like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mom testers saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can use at the push of the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance typically around 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you must take the sides off once they are ready to do this. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of the bed.
Design

There are many different styles of bedside cribs, from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as an integrated night light or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of 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, said that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. bedside cots was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit larger than other cribs for bed we've tried, but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is a fantastic design that is extremely maneuverable and is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is the fact that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should choose a design which allows you to lower the side of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to easily raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation such as duvets and pillowcases, which can cause your baby to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will be examining these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.