10 Things We Were Hate 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 infants 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 the crib.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also features a manual rocking feature. 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 beds for cots. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However cots are generally intended for children who are the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden bedside cot cots - large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in a bigger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger size.

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 large for her baby’s room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are flimsy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is It's a bassinet that lifts off that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also nominated for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you don't need to buy a new mattress every time your baby grows. However, it will require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the perfect mattress for your cot here.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for you when feeding baby. It should also be able to be lower to a level that is not in the way so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is especially useful if you're recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the 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 base of your cot. Some moms find it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level and others prefer a higher level to give them greater stability. One of our mum testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that which you can use to press of a button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you must remove the sides once they are ready to do so. This will stop them from falling out or climbing out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of styles of bedside crib, ranging from simple to extravagant. Some of the more expensive options come with features like a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. You may also find some models which can be made into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to their own bigger bed.

For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to take your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for new mums who are recovering from Caesarean births or who need to stay in the bed for extended periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made her baby easier - especially after her 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 and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's larger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds into its travel bag to make it relatively compact when it's not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she appreciated the bedside crib's function. She said it was designed for parents and babies. 'It has an excellent design that is incredibly maneuverable and is extremely durable. The swivelling base of the bassinet is amazing as it means you can move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be opened down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.

Safety

The main safety characteristic of a bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they require to feed, comfort them or change their nappy. This makes it ideal for mothers who are recovering from an C-section. You should choose an option that lets you lower the bed's side with a single button press. This will allow you to raise your child without getting out of bed. This is particularly crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside crib or cot sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside Rocking Crib 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 are not practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a bedside 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 a different provision for multi-use bedside rocking crib beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets through the use of an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will be examining these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be issued in the month of November 2021.