Large Bedside Cot: A Simple Definition
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are only suggested for use until 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 features an integrated bassinet that can be used around the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
Jasmine, an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was slightly larger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for the room of her baby. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. 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 have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
When selecting a bedside crib, choose one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C-section. For example, 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.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice and one of our mum testers stating that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to push down with the click of the button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features like an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe baby back to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to reach your baby for feedings. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This makes it ideal for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is equipped with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's bigger than the other cribs for bed that we've tested, however it folds into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.
MFM mum home test Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib describing how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still be recovering from a C-section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to easily raise your child without having to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that increases the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) and 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 additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped between a bedside rail and an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into different modes like play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets through the use of an attachment that can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.