Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to transition to an actual bed.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also features an option to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for Bedside cots convenient storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. If you'd like your child (or children) to be able to sleep in the larger cot, it's a good option to select the larger one.

MFM mom home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also nominated 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 have to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it will require a special bespoke 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 the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lower away from the way, so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

You should also consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is situated 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 mom test subjects saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of the button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used in the event that your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is because of the possibility of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that when your child is old enough to turn an existing bedside cot reviews or bassinet into a cot, they must remove the sides when they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of bedside crib with a range of styles from simple to luxurious. Some of the most luxurious options include features such as a built-in light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib 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 having to get up. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean or require a the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made her baby easier particularly after her c-section.

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

MFM mum home tester Leya loved the practicality of this bedside cot co sleeper crib she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It has a great design that is extremely easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely 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 opened down to make access easier especially for new mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.

Safety

The most important security aspect 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, comfort them or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of the bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and Bedside cots becomes more mobile. It is also important to avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, including duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable. This attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.