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 the risk of SIDS. However, they are only suggested for use until 6 months of age when your baby is required to move into a cot or moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel cot bedside bag for convenient storage.

Size

Cots and cots differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while they are typically used for up to three years. old. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which will convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's an excellent idea to pick the larger one.

Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for the baby's room. It's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.

Emily, another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as 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 other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for you when feeding babies. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is a collapsible side you can press at the touch one button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head up with no assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can be converted into a crib it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of bed.

Design

There are many styles of bedside crib travel cot cribs, from basic to lavish. Some of the more extravagant options include features like a built-in light and a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. You may also find some models that can be converted to a cot for bedside bed or toddler bed (or both), perfect when your child is ready to move to a bigger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean or require the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having 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 has a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we tested, but it folds into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.

MFM mom home tester Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib, explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for moms who are recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety 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 their diaper. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still be recovering from a C-section. You should look for a design which lets you lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like duvets and pillows that can cause your baby to become overheated.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the 4-in-1 bedside crib sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC looked into 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 the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.

The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.

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 it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November of 2021.