10 Things Your Competition Can Help You Learn About Large Bedside Cot

Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside crib and cot cots, also referred as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are not suggested for use until 6 months, when your baby is required to move into a cot or a moses basket.

Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model has an adjustable bassinet that can be used throughout the home. It also has an option to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots and cot beds vary in terms of size in size, with cots smaller than cot beds. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for children up to the age of three. If you're opting for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes to choose from that are large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot for bedside bed. If you'd like your child (or children) to be comfortable sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a good idea to pick the larger size.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and that the quality is great, compared with many she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.

Emily is another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a lift-off, portable bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that breathes. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding babies. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is particularly helpful if you are recovering from a C Section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height 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. While some mums find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice with one of our mom testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of one button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. You should also be aware that when your child is old enough to turn a bassinet/bedside cot newborn sleeping system into a cot, they must remove the sides once they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs that are bedside, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in nightlight and a calming centre which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that makes it easier to get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot bed (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 and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that allows you to take your baby to the crib and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or require a the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after a c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It includes an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking function. It's bigger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.

MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with parents and babies in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She said that the bassinet's pivoting base was brilliant since it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from c-sections.

Safety

The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be easily raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them or change their nappy. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from a c-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side with the push of a button, so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Beware of items that could increase the risk of injury or suffocation such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to overheat.

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

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside rocking crib sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at least the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that could be converted into other modes such as play yards and bassinets. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as the bassinet.

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