Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside cot reviews cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However they are not suitable for use up to 6 months when your baby is required to be moved into a cot, or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with an adjustable bassinet that you can use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came in its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes available both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot/toddler bed. If you wish for your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in the larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger one.

Jasmine, an MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses' basket but still not too large for the baby's room. She says that it is easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are flimsy.

Emily is another home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has 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 is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding babies. It should also be able to be lower out of the way, so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.

You should also think about the height you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their babies out of traditional Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our testers for mums stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is a collapsible side which you can use to touch the button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to note that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a cot, you will need to begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't get out of bed or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs that are bedside crib with changing table, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or the swivelling base which allows you to easily reach your child for feedings. 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 and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib 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 having to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said that it was easy to operate and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after having a c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cot used cribs that we tested, but it folds into its travel bag to make it a small size when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it allows you to move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside sleeper cot cot's main safety feature is that it can be easily adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets which could cause your baby to overheat.

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

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside rocking crib sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However, the CPSC found that these requirements are not efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

A majority of the incidents reported in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multiuse bedside sleepers to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. 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.