Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children 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 features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was also simple 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. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. If you'd like your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a larger cot, it's a great option to select the larger size.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the baby's room. It's easy to carry her child 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 tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora which is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. 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 fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase another mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your babies. It must also be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from a C-section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and 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 point, while some prefer a higher level to give them greater stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is an easily collapsible side that you can push at the press of a button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually at around 6 months. This is because of the risk of being suffocated. It's also important to note that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib it is necessary to begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for beds with a range of styles from simple to luxurious. Some of the most extravagant options include features like an inbuilt light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and comes with two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to remain in bed for extended periods. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable - especially after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It also is equipped with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than the other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to make access easier - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.
bedside cots uk of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, comfort them or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. You should look for the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a simple button press. This will allow you to easily lift your child up without getting out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets. These could cause babies to become overheated.
The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these products satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at the very 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 entrapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to be released in November 2021.
