10 Things Your Competition Can Teach You About Large Bedside Cot

Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

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

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as an option to rock manually. It was also simple to assemble and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while the cot beds are typically used until three years old. older. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot for bedside. If you'd like your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's a good idea to choose the larger size.

MFM mother home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside co sleeper cot (Full Post) cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby bedside co sleeper into 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-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with a reflux incline option 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 fits South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the perfect mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed, 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 dropped down to allow you to lift your baby closer to you for feedings at night or soothing. This feature is particularly useful when you're recovering from C-section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to a maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.

It is also important to consider how low you'd like the base of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of the standard Moses baskets at the lowest height, other mums 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 comes with an easily collapsible side that you can press at the push of one button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can convert into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or get out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for beds that range from basic to lavish. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in nightlight and a calming centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even the swivelling base which allows you to reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air that won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that lets you pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get up. This is great for new mums recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to stay in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby easier especially after a c-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It is machine washable and comes with a liner, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than other bedside cribs that we've tested, however it folds down into its travel bag to make it compact when not in use.

MFM mum home test Leya also liked the functionality of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. She said that the bassinet's swivelling base was fantastic because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important security feature is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed, comfort or change his or her diaper. This is ideal for new mothers recovering from an c-section. Look for a design that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without needing to get out of bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases which could cause your baby to overheat.

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

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as 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 found that these 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.

Many of the reported incidents in the NPR involved multiuse bedside sleepers which can be converted to different modes like play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets through the use of an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR on bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.