Why You Should Focus On Improving Large Bedside Cot

Choosing a Large bedside Crib bedside cot newborn Cot

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

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features an adjustable bassinet that you can use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cot beds differ in terms of size, with cots being smaller than beds for cots. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However cots are generally used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was slightly larger than a Moses basket but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is better than other cots 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 you can move 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 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 you don't have to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. However, it does require an exclusive bedding set (60x120cm). Find the ideal mattress for your cot here.

Height

When choosing a crib for your bed, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It also needs to be able to be dropped down out of the way so that you can pull your baby closer to you during night feedings or soothing. This is particularly useful when you are recovering from a C-section. For example, 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.

You should also think about how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some moms find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It has an easily collapsible side that you can push at the press of a button.

Keep in mind that a bedside or bassinet should only be used until your baby can hold their head up without assistance generally about 6 months. This is due to the possibility of inhaling suffocation. Be aware that when your child is old enough to turn an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, they will have to take the sides off when they are able to do so. This will stop them from getting out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to extravagant. Some of the most expensive options come with features such as a built-in light, a soothing center that plays music and sounds and has two levels to help soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which allows you to reach your child to feed them. You may also find some models that can be converted to a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to move to a larger bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require bed for longer periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said it was easy to operate and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another alternative. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's slightly larger than the other bedside cot newborn cribs we tested but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester also acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She said it was designed to be used by parents and infants. It has a great design that is very maneuverable and is extremely sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was brilliant because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cots for newborns cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort them, or change his or their nappy. This is why it's perfect for mothers who are still recovering from a C section. Choose a model that lets you lower one side at the push of a button, so you can easily lift your baby without needing to get out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to become overheated.

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

In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However the CPSC found that these requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents where infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that could be converted into different modes like bassinets and play yards. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the product is not being used as the bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to be released in November of 2021.