Choosing a large bedside cot (find out here now)

Bedside cots, also known as bassinets and co-sleepers, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is old enough to transition to an actual bed.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model comes with a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to put together and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically used by children up to the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available that are large and standard both of which convert into a cot/toddler bed. Choosing the larger one is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until they are at least three years old.

Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for the room of her baby. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for night feeding or soothing, and the quality is top-notch in comparison to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.

Emily, another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline for reflux 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. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it does require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be raised up to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It should also be able to be dropped down so that you can lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly helpful in the event of recovering from a C-section. The Next2me Cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an 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 cot's base to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their babies out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our testers for mums stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the touch a button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance typically approximately 6 months. This is because of the danger of suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you opt for a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is able to do this, so that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are many styles of cribs that are bedside cot wooden, ranging from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features like a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that makes it easier to reach your baby for feedings. You may also find some models that can be converted to a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards best bedside cots Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after having a c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit larger than the other bedside cribs we looked at, but it folds flat into its bag for travel, so it's quite compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and infants. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She said that the swivelling bassinet base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large small bedside cot cot's main safety characteristic is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their baby to feed, comfort or change his or his or her diaper. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. You should choose a design which allows you to lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This will allow you to raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is particularly important as your baby gets older and more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However the CPSC found that these requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the bedside crib vs cot sleeper and the adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted into other types of equipment, like play yards or bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside cot used sleepers that would enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement of bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will be examining these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be released in the month of November 2021.