Cara Cespedes

Choosing a large bedside cot (Going at www.bitsdujour.com)

bedside crib cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months old, at which point your baby is ready to transition to an actual bed.

Mehack Mehack, an MFM home tester, was impressed by the fact that this model features an adjustable bassinet that can be used throughout the house. It also has the ability to rock manually. It was simple to put together and even came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots and cots differ in terms of size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than beds for cots. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas the cot beds are typically used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard that can be converted into a toddler bed or a cot. If you wish for your child (or children) to be able to sleep in the larger cot, it's an excellent idea to choose the larger size.

MFM mum home test Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to get the baby into and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is far superior to other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.

Another home-based test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product it's a drop-off bassinet that can be moved around the house, and it rocks too. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable liner that is breathable. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't have to buy a new mattress as your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.

Height

When you are choosing a crib that is bedside pick one that can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. 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 comfort him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch up to 70cm.

You should also consider the level you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some moms find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point and others prefer a higher elevation to give them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that you can push at the press of the button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is typically around 6 months. This is because of the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to remember that if you opt for a bassinet/bedside sleeper that can be converted into a cot it is necessary to start removing the sides when your child is ready for this to ensure they don't climb out or fall out of the bed.

Design

There are many different styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to luxurious. The more expensive options could include features like an integrated night light, a soothing centre that plays sounds and music and offers two levels of vibrating to help soothe baby back to sleep, or even the swivelling base which makes it easier to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot bed (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&Baby Awards for the Best Crib, Cot or Moses Basket category, has a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your newborn and transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This makes it ideal for new 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 the C-section.

Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards as the Best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib and has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's slightly larger than other cribs that we've looked at, but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it's quite compact when not in use.

MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with parents and babies in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side and one of its sides can be let down to ease access especially for mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or her nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. You should choose the design that allows you to lower the bed's side with a single button press. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is especially crucial as your baby grows older and more mobile. Do not add anything that may increase the chance of injury or suffocation, such as duvets and pillowcases that can cause your baby to overheat.

The NPR of the CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product problems, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing parts (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of additional requirements for bedside crib and travel cot sleepers, like the requirement that they meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However, the CPSC found that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between a bedside baby bed sleeper and an adult bed.

Many of the incidents reported in the NPR concerned multi-use bedside sleepers that can be transformed into different types of furniture, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative option to the proposed rule for multi-use bedside crib that turns into cot sleepers that would allow them to meet minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently fixed or removed when the product is not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule that is expected to be published in November 2021.