Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby will be ready to transition to an actual bed.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came with its own travel bag for convenient storage.
Size
Cots and cots differ in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until the age of approximately three.
MFM mom home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large 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, compared with many she's seen that feel flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be elevated to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your baby. It also needs to be able to be dropped down out of the way so that you can pull your baby towards you for feedings at night or soothing. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C-section. For example 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.
You should also consider the level you'd like the base of your crib to be. While cot bedside find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, others prefer a higher 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 part that you can use at the push 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 usually at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a cot and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to lavish. Some of the most expensive options come with features like an inbuilt light, a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that 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 for their own bed.
For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that lets you pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is perfect for new mothers recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much easier especially after a c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit larger than some of the other cribs for bed we've looked at, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home tester Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. It has a great design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be adjusted or moved to allow parents to reach their child when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby without getting out of the bed. This is essential, especially when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to become overheated.
The CPSC's 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), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined 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 rails that are lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are entrapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.
A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.