Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their baby at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months old, at which point your baby will be ready to be moved to an actual bed.

MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model features a bassinet that can be lifted off to use throughout the house, as well as the ability to rock manually. It was easy to assemble and it came with a travel cot bedside bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They can also be converted 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 cot. Selecting the larger one is a good idea for children who want to sleep in it until they are approximately three.

MFM mum home tester Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was a little bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. It's easy to carry her child in and out for night feeding or soothing, and that the quality is excellent, compared with many she's seen that feel flimsy.

Emily, another home tester, is awed by the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora - it is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also rocks. It also has an option for inclining the reflux and a machine-washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Contrary to some International or European cot brands Lora is a cot that Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to purchase an entirely new mattress each time your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your cot here.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to the ideal height for you. It should also be able to be lowered out of the way, so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C section. The Next2me cot and Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to an maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm and the Knuma Hutch can be adjusted to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is how low you want the base of your cot to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher height to give them more stability. One of our mom testers said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that you can push at the touch one button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up without assistance, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert an existing bedside or bassinet into a cot, you will need to take the sides off as soon as 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 cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to lavish. Some of the most extravagant options include features like an inbuilt light, a soothing center which plays music and sounds and comes with two levels that help to soothe your baby back to sleep or the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child when you need to feed them. Certain models can be converted into the toddler bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to pick up your baby and transfer them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is ideal for new mums recovering from Caesarean births, or those who need to remain in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried this product at home, said it was easy to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after a C-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which was awarded Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It comes with an easy-to-clean liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's slightly larger than other cribs that we've tested but it folds flat in its travel bag, so it is relatively compact when not in use.

MFM mom home test Leya also appreciated the function of this bedside crib, explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is a fantastic design that is extremely simple to operate and is extremely durable. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to ease access especially for new mothers who are recovering from c-sections,' she said.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main safety characteristic is the fact that it can be easily moved up or down so that parents can reach their child to feed, comfort or change his or her nappies. This means that it's ideal for mothers who are still recovering from a C section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is particularly important as your baby grows older and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, including duvets and pillows, which could cause babies to become overheated.

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

In its NPR In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these beds satisfy the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at least meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. The CPSC found, however that these requirements weren't practical or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are trapped between the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.

A majority of the incidents mentioned in the NPR focused on multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other modes, such as play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative option for multi-use bedside cots for newborns beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets using a removable attachment that can be connected permanently or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet.

The CPSC is examining these comments and others received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will be examining these comments when it decides on the final rule, which is expected to be issued in November of 2021.