Guide To Large Bedside Cot: The Intermediate Guide Towards Large Bedsi…

Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was simple to put together, and came with its own travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than 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, which can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. The larger of the two is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.

MFM mum 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 claims that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that it's quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.

Emily is another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a lift-off, Large Bedside Cot portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also has a reflux incline option 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. Unlike some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot bedside mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised up to a height that is comfortable for feeding your baby. It should also be able to be lowered away from the way, so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful in the event of 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 can be adjusted to 70cm.

Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mum testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is an easily collapsible side that you can push at the press of a button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside crib that turns into cot sleeper that 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 get out of bed or get out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features such as an integrated night light and a calming centre that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or require a bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, Large Bedside Cot a MFM mum who tested this product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after the 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. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's slightly larger than other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for both parents and infants. It has a great design that is very easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was brilliant because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is that it is able to be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or their nappies. This makes it perfect for new mothers recovering from the c-section. It is recommended to choose the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to lift your child without getting out of the bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, like duvets and pillows that can cause your baby to become overheated.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product 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 disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at least the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements weren't efficient or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants are trapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently fixed or disconnected when the product's not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.