Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night without the danger of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to transition to an actual bed.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used throughout 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 convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used up to three years older. If you're considering a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. If you want your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger size.
Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
best bedside cot uk , Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in 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 an operation such as a C-section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to the height of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.
You should also think about how low you would like the base of your crib to be. While some moms find it easier to get their babies out of traditional Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, others prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easily collapsible side that which you can use to touch one button.
Remember that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance generally about 6 months. This is because of the danger of being suffocated. Be aware that when your child is old enough to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they must take the sides off when they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of bedside crib that range from basic to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in night light, a soothing centre which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded 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 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 who are recovering from Caesareans or who need to stay in the bed for extended durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded 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 slightly larger than some of the other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is lightweight and easy to move. Its swivelling base is fantastic because it lets you move the bassinet from side-to-side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.
Safety
The most important safety feature of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the 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. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable. Attachments can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.