Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside crib and travel cot cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents sleep close to their baby at night without risk of SIDS. They are only recommended up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to move to the crib.

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

Size

Cots and cots differ in size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler mattress. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good option to select the larger one.

MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.

Emily is another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for feeding your babies. It also needs to be able to be lowered down out of the way so that you can lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or for soothing. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a 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. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their babies from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mum testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible side that you can push down with the click of a button.

Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up without assistance generally around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that when your child is old enough to turn a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you will have to remove the sides as soon as they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even a swivelling base that makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the 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 opposite side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who require bed for longer durations of time. MFM mum home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.

Another alternative 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 function. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag, making it a small size when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be opened down to make access easier especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections,' she added.

Safety

A large bedside cot for twins cot (https://posteezy.com/Most-successful-baby-bedside-co-sleeper-gurus-are-Doing-3-things)'s main safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappy. This makes it ideal for new mothers recovering from a C-section. It is recommended to choose an option that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child up without getting out of the bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues 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 looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped between a bedside travel crib rail and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside crib with changing table beds which can be converted into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. Attachments can be permanently connected or removed when the item is not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.