Don't Make This Silly Mistake With Your Large Bedside Cot
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night without the danger of SIDS. However they are only suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby is required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used for up to three years. older. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot bed/toddler mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger one.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, liked the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for the baby's room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Unlike some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.
When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is especially useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the 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 to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer a higher base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option and one of our mum testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible side that you can use at the push of one button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should not be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance generally about 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Certain models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (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 and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling 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 up. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we tested, but it folds into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for parents and babies. It has a great design that is very simple to operate and is super-sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary security feature is that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. It is recommended to choose an option that allows you to lower the side of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the cot that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, including duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into 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 rails that are lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.