Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to move to the cot.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and even came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However cots are generally intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. Selecting the larger one is a good option if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.
Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the room of her baby. She claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing, and that its quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. newborn bedside cot is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for feeding your babies. It should also be able to 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 to soothe him. This feature is especially helpful when you're recovering from 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.
Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. While some moms find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easily collapsible side that you can press at the press of one button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head up with no assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is because of the possibility of suffocation. It's also important to note that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can convert into a cot, you will need to remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to easily reach your baby for feedings. Certain models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to remain in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much easier especially after a 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 and has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than the other bedside cribs we tried, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and babies. best bedside cot is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is the fact that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or her diaper. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still be 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 without getting out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. Do not add amazon bedside cot that may increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows which could cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be connected permanently or removed when the product 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 it votes on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.