What You Can Do To Get More Out Of Your Large Bedside Cot
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or 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 old, at which point your baby is old enough to be moved to an actual crib.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used throughout the home. It also comes with an option to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - big and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger one is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until they are approximately three.
MFM mom home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the house, and it rocks too. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be able to be dropped down to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or soothing. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It comes with a collapsible side you can push at the touch the button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance typically about 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can convert into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of bedside crib that range from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. You can also find models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, stating that it was easy to use and made her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and infants. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security characteristic is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or his or her diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from the C-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include 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 additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However, the CPSC found that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that can be converted to other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. The attachment can be permanently attached or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.