Don't Forget Large Bedside Cot: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Really Need It
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used until three years old. old. If you're considering a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot bed/toddler mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger size.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, was pleased that it was slightly larger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the room of her baby. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or calming and that the quality is great, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
Emily, another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. In contrast to International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for you when feeding babies. It should also be able of being dropped to the ground to allow you to lift your baby closer to you during night feedings or for soothing. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets if the base is situated at the lowest level and others prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the press of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to lavish. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. You can also find models that can be converted to an infant bed or a toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or require bed for longer periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby much easier - especially after her c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's bigger than other cribs we tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with babies and parents in mind. It is a fantastic design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you 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
The most important 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, comfort them, or change their nappy. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an C-section. It is recommended to choose a design which lets you lower the bed's side with a simple button press. Cots 4 Tots will allow you to easily lift your child without having to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases that can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product that include gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding 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 rails that are lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that can be converted to other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.