Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are only suitable for use up to 6 months, when your baby is required to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. bedside cot sale can be converted into toddler beds, whereas they are typically used for up to three years. old. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. Choosing the larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says it's easy to lift her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and the quality is top-notch when compared to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily is another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards 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. Contrary to some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed, choose one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C Section. The Next2me cot and the 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.
It is also important to consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, others prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum testers stating that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that you can press down at the touch of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby can hold their head without assistance generally about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you will have to remove the sides when they are able to do this. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features like a built-in night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is great for new mothers recovering from Caesareans or those who have to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs that we've looked at, but it folds flat in its travel bag so it's quite compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for both parents and babies. It is lightweight and easy to move. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was brilliant since 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
A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby 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. Choose a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the risk of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as 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 additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be published in the month of November 2021.