Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will need to move into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used by children up to the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler bed. The larger one is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.
MFM mum home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or calming and that the quality is great when compared to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect 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 must also be lower out of the way, so you can raise your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of 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.
Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot. While some mothers find it easier to lift their babies out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mom testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that you can press down at the touch of a button.
Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance typically about 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this, so that they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of bedside crib , ranging from simple to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than some of the other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is very maneuverable and is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant as it means you can move the bassinet side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from their C-sections,' she added.
Safety
The main safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, comfort them, or change their nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. It is also important to be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, including pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However, the CPSC found that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other types of use, such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule which is expected to be released in November 2021.