Beware Of This Common Mistake With Your Large Bedside Cot

Choosing a Large bedside baby bed Cot

Bedside cots (also known as co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. However, they are only suitable for use up to 6 months of age when your baby will be required to be moved into a cot or moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a lift-off bassinet you can use in the home and the ability to rock manually. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are less than. They also often convert into toddler beds, whereas cot beds are generally only used up to three years older. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are typically two sizes to choose from both large and standard both of which will convert into a cot/toddler mattress. Choosing the larger of the two is a good option for children who want to sleep in it until the age of at least three years old.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine was pleased that this bedside cot co sleeper cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket but not too big for her baby's room. She says it's easy to get her baby in and out for feeding or soothing and the quality is top-notch when compared to other cots she's seen that are flimsy.

Emily, another home tester, loves the flexibility of the Maxi-Cosi lora that is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also is a rock. It also has an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a cot for the bed, look for one that can be raised up to a height that's comfortable for feeding your babies. It must also be able of being dropped to the ground so that you can lift your baby towards you for feedings at night or for soothing. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from C-section. For instance, the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted up to an elevation of 58cm. the Snuzpod 3 goes up to 63cm, and the Knuma Huddle up to 70cm.

Another thing to think about is how low you want the base of your cot. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from standard Moses baskets when the base is at the lowest level and others prefer a higher height to give them greater stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easy-to-fold side that you can press at the push of one button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up unaided, usually at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to remember that if you select a bedside sleeper or bassinet that you can convert into a cot, you will need to start removing the sides when your child is able to do this to ensure that they don't get out of bed or get out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of bedside cribs, from basic to extravagant. Some of the most luxurious options include features like an integrated light or a center of calm which plays music and sounds and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep, or a swivelling 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 bed (or both) when your child is ready to go to 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 an adjustable 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 mothers who are recovering from Caesareans, or those who need to remain in bed for extended periods. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made her baby much easier particularly after her c-section.

Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which has won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and comes with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds up into its travel bag, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.

MFM mum home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with the needs of parents and children in mind. It has a great design that is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and it is super-sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.

Safety

The most important security characteristic of a bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their child when they require to feed, comfort them, or change their nappies. This makes it ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. Look for a design that lets you lower one side at the press of a button so you can effortlessly lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You'll also want to be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation, or injury, such as duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product issues, such as gaps between a 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 examined the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For example they would need to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing amount of instances where infants are trapped by the bedside rail as well as an adult bed.

Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that can be converted to other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that CPSC include in the proposed rule an alternative provision for multi-use bedside crib that turns into cot beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets by using an attachment that can be connected permanently or disconnected when the item is not being used as an actual bassinet.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments that were received in response to its NPR on sleepers who are bedside. The Commission will consider these comments when it votes on the final rule that is expected to be released in November 2021.