Large Bedside Cot: A Simple Definition

Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers and bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. They are only recommended for up to 6 months, when your baby is ready to be moved to an actual cot.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as a manual rocking function. It was also easy to put together and came in its own travel bag for convenient storage.

Size

Cots and cots differ in size in size, with cots smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally used by children up to the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from - standard and large - both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. The larger of the two is a good choice if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach at least three years old.

MFM mom home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Emily is 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 comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable liner that breathes. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best bedside cot Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be dropped down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby up towards you during night feedings or to soothe. This feature is especially helpful when you're recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the 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 think about is how low you want the base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point and others prefer a higher elevation to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular choice and one of our mum testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible part that you can press down at the touch of a button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside cots sleeping device is only suitable until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance typically about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot it is necessary to remove the sides as soon as your child is ready for this, so that they don't climb out or get out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to lavish. Some of the most expensive options come with features such as an inbuilt light or a center of calm which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep. Another option is a swivelling footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. Certain models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is great for new mothers recovering from Caesarean sections or who have to remain in bed for extended periods. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this 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 alternative 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 comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking feature. It's a bit bigger than other cribs for bed we've tested but it folds flat into its travel bag so it's relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this crib for bed, describing how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It has a great design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is extremely durable. She also 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 lower to facilitate access for moms who are recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is the fact that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or his or her nappies. This is why it's perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side with the press of a button. This way, you can effortlessly lift your baby without needing to get out of bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillowcases and duvets, which can cause your baby to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues that include gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However, the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the foldable bedside crib sleeper and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses which can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multiuse bedside sleepers to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions 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 issued in the month of November 2021.