This Is The Large Bedside Cot Case Study You'll Never Forget
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to move to an actual bed.
MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in the larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger size.
Jasmine, an MFM mum who tested the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. It's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is great in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. 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 another mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It must also be lowered out of the way, so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This is particularly useful when you are recovering from a C Section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to the height of 58cm. 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. While some moms find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mom test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can push down with the click of a button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance generally around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot, they will have to remove the sides when they are ready to do this. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You can also find models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require bed for longer durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's slightly larger than the other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat into its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It has a great design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely durable. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it allows you to move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be let down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The most important security characteristic of a bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the push of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, like duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
Cots For Tots of the incidents covered in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative clause 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. The attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in November of 2021.