Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the danger of SIDS. However they are not recommended 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 was impressed that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and a manual rocking function. bedside crib co sleeper was simple to put together, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by 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 cot. The larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for her baby’s room. It's easy to get her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Contrary to some International or European cot brands The Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be able to be lowered to the ground so that you can lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or to soothe. This feature is especially useful if you are recovering from a C section. For example, 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.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option with one of our mum testers saying that it comes with a simple collapsible side that is easy to use at the push of a button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head without assistance, which is usually about 6 months old. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you select a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must 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 bedside cribs, from simple to luxurious. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight, a soothing centre which plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. There are also models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.
For instance the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to take your baby and transfer 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. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's slightly larger than some of the other bedside cribs we tested but it folds flat into its travel bag, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to ease access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
The main safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from an c-section. You should look for the design that lets you lower the bed's side with a simple button press. This allows you to lift your child without getting out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation like duvets and pillows, which can cause your baby to overheat.
The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC found, however that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing the number of instances in which infants are trapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be published in November 2021.