Choosing a large bedside crib Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents snuggle with their infant at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used around the house. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together and even came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically 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 bigger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger one.

MFM mother home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside baby bed cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. It's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap bedside cot and flimsy.

Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also has a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It must also be lower to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your baby towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from an operation such as 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.

Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while others prefer a higher elevation to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a well-liked option with one of our mum testers saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to press down at the touch of a button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of suffocation. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you will need to remove the sides once they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many styles of bedside cribs, from simple to luxurious. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light, a soothing centre which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even a swivelling base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. You may also find some models which can be made into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to move to their own bigger 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 an adjustable base that lets you take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby much easier particularly after her c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds down into its bag for travel, making it compact when not in use.

Leya, newbica.com MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed for both parents and infants. It has a great design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be lowered down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or their diaper. 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 press of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to become overheated.

The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC looked into the possibility of additional requirements for bedside cots for newborns sleepers, like the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at the very least, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into other modes, such as bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be published in November 2021.