Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also known as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their children at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to move to an actual cot.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was awed by the fact that this model features a bassinet that can be used all around the home. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and it came with a travel bag.
Size
Cots and cots differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. They also can be converted into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used for up to three years. older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot beds. Selecting the larger of the two is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.
Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too big for the baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. The Lora is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means that you don't have to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the perfect mattress for your cot.
Height
When you are choosing a cot for your bed, look for one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for feeding your the baby. It must also 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 especially useful when you are recovering from a 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 can be adjusted to 70cm.
You should also think about the height you would like the base of your crib to be. While cheap bedside cot find it easier to lift their children out of traditional Moses baskets 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 mum test subjects saying that it is easy to use with a collapsible side that is easy to press down at the touch of one button.
Be aware that a bedside or bassinet device should only be used when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. what is it worth 's also important to know that if you choose a bedside or bassinet which can be converted into a crib and vice versa, you must begin removing the sides once your child is able to do this to ensure they don't climb out or get out of the bed.
Design
There are a variety of cribs for bedside use that range from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in nightlight or a soothing center that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even a swivelling base that allows you to easily get your baby's food in the right place. Some models can be transformed into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
For instance, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air which was awarded Bronze in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your newborn and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get up. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby, especially after having a C-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's a bit larger than some of the other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat into its travel bag, 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 an excellent design that is very maneuverable and is extremely durable. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to make access easier for mothers who are recovering from C-sections.
Safety
The bedside cot's primary safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or her nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who are still be recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side at the press of a button, so you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is important, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Avoid adding anything that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, such as duvets and pillowcases that can cause your baby to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at the very least, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped 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 other types of use, 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 beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule which is expected to be published in the month of November 2021.