Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their infants at night, without the risk of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months when your baby will need to move into a cot, or a moses basket.
Mehack is an MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model has a bassinet that can be used throughout the home. It also has an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size, with cots being smaller than cot beds. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. If you're considering a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available both large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a great option to select the larger one.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for the baby's room. She says it's easy to carry her child in and out for night feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's seen that are flimsy.
bedside cot co sleeper -based test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. look what i found has a reflux incline option and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside pick one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be able of being dropped down out of the way so that you can pull your baby towards you during night feedings or for soothing. This feature is especially helpful if you're recovering from 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 up to 70cm.
It is also important to consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher elevation to give them greater stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the touch a button.
Remember that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance, usually at approximately 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you opt for a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must remove the sides as soon as your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't climb out or get out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more expensive options could include features like an integrated night light, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to reach your baby for feedings. You can also find models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to move to their own bigger bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was easy to use and made it easier to reach her baby, especially after a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than the other bedside cribs that we've tested, but it folds down into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester, also appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed to be used by parents and children. It is a fantastic design that is extremely maneuverable and is extremely sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's pivoting base was a great idea since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary safety characteristic is that it can easily be moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or their nappies. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is important, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents) and consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In bedside cot reviews looked into the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example the products would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second option to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers 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 connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will be examining these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.