Bedside cots, also known 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 only recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will be required to move into a cot or moses basket.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, loved the fact that this model features an integrated bassinet that can be used all around the house. It also comes with the ability to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came with its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. If you're opting for a wooden cot, you'll find two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which can be converted into a cot bed/toddler mattress. If you wish for your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in the larger cot, it's a great option to select the larger one.
MFM mom home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too large for her baby's room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during night feeds or for soothing and that the quality is better than 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 lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. Unlike some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a crib for your bed make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It should also be able to be lowered down out of the way to allow you to lift your baby towards you for feedings at night or to soothe. This feature is especially useful when you are recovering from a C Section. For example the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to a height of 58cm while the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm and the Knuma huddle up to 70cm.
Another thing to think about is the height you would like to set for the base of your cot. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their infants from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level, while some prefer a higher elevation to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option, with one of our mom testers saying that it has an easy-to-use collapsible side that is easy to use at the push 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 with no assistance, which is typically about 6 months old. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, you will need to remove the sides when they are ready to do this. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.
Design
There are many different styles of bedside crib with a range of styles from simple to luxurious. Some of the most extravagant options include features like an integrated light or a center of calm that plays music and sounds and has two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or an adjustable footrest that makes it easier for you to reach your child to feed them. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
For example the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which 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 transfer them from one side of the crib to the other without needing to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesarean births or those who have to stay in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made her baby much more manageable especially after a c-section.
Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's larger than other foldable bedside crib cribs that we've tested, but it folds up into its travel bag, making it a small bedside cot size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she praised the bedside crib's functionality. She claimed that 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 swivelling bassinet base was a great idea since it allowed you to 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 large bedside cot's main security feature is that it can easily be adjusted or moved so that parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort him or their nappy. This means that it's ideal for mothers who are still recovering from a C-section. Find a model that allows you to lower one side with the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby up without getting out of bed. This is crucial, particularly when your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product like gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside sleeper (12 incidents), fabric-sided enclosed openings (11) and consumer misassembly (6 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. However the CPSC concluded that such requirements would not be practical or effective in reducing the number of incidents where infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers that can be converted to different modes like bassinets and play yards. A number of commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use twin bedside cot beds to allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is examining these and other comments received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will take into consideration these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.