Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby is required to be moved into a cot or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used up to three years old. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available both large and standard both of which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot mattress. Choosing the larger one is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until they are approximately three.

Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the room of her baby. It's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.

Emily, another home-based tester, is thrilled by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for best bedside cots 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 need to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding baby. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C-section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and Large Bedside Cot the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher height to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option, with one of our mum testers saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that you can press down at the touch of one button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided, usually at about 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can convert into a cot, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't climb out or fall out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of bedside crib that range from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or Large Bedside Cot a swivelling base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require bed for longer periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's slightly larger than the other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is a fantastic design that is extremely simple to operate and is extremely durable. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was a great idea 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 feature is that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed, comfort or change his or her diaper. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from an c-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems 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 parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements for sleepers in bed, such as the requirement that they satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for bedside cot bed sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. This attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in November of 2021.