What's The Most Common Large Bedside Cot Debate Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think

Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to snuggle with their infant at night without fear of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to be moved to the crib.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up and even came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. Cots can also be transformed 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 that can be transformed into a toddler bed or a cot. The larger one is a good choice for children who want to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.

Jasmine, an MFM mom who tried the product at home, was pleased the fact that it was a little bigger than the typical Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during night feedings or soothing and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. 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 for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When choosing a crib for your bed pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It also needs to be able to be dropped down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or to soothe. This feature is especially helpful if you're recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is how low you want the cot's base to be. While some mothers find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our testers for mums mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is a collapsible side which you can use to push of one button.

Be aware that a bedside or bassinet should not be used until your baby can hold their head without assistance generally about 6 months. This is because of the risk of being suffocated. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must start removing the sides when your child is ready for this, so that they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features like a built-in night light or a soothing center that plays sounds and music and has two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, stating that it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier particularly after her c-section.

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

MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with the needs of parents and children 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 opened down to ease access - particularly for new mums who are recovering from C-sections', she said.

Safety

The most important safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed, comfort them, or change their nappies. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from the c-section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the push of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without getting out of bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile.  travel bedside crib  should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.

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

In its NPR in its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not feasible or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are entrapped by the bedside rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside sleepers that would permit them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is currently examining these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.