Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the danger of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will be required to move into a cot or a moses basket.
Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the feature that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that can be used around the home. It also features a manual rocking feature. It was easy to assemble, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. If you want your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger size.
Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too large for the baby's room. She claims that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be elevated to a height that's comfortable for you to feed your babies. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly useful if you're recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the smallest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has a collapsible side which you can use to push of a button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or 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. bedside crib or cot is because of the danger of suffocation. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will need to remove the sides when they are able to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are many different styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to luxurious. Some of the most luxurious options include features such as a built-in light, a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is a swivelling footrest that allows you to reach your child in order to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after the C-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs we tested, but it folds into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and children. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was brilliant because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security feature is that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or his or her diaper. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side with the press of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without having to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.
travel cot bedside of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues like 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 In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC determined that these requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers that could be converted into other modes such as bassinets and play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. Attachments can be permanently fixed or removed when the item is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.