Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

bedside cot mattress cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their children 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 a crib.

Mehack, a MFM home tester, was impressed by the feature that this model comes with a bassinet that can be used around the house. It also features an option to rock manually. It was easy to assemble, and it came with a travel bag.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. Cots can also be converted into toddler beds. However they are typically used for children up to the age of three. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard that can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. If you want your child (or children) to be able to sleep in a larger cot, it's a great idea to choose the larger size.

Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too large for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby in and out of the cot for night feedings or soothing and that the quality is superior to others she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.

Emily, another home tester, loves the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora which is a portable, lift-off bassinet. It also rocks. It also comes with an incline for reflux and a machine washable breathable liner. And it was shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. In contrast to International or European cot brands, the Lora can fit South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it does require a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib make sure it can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It must also be lowered out of the way, so you can raise your child towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This feature is especially helpful in the event of recovering from an operation such as a C-section. For instance the Next2me and Tutti Bambini cots can be adjusted to the height 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 cot's base to be. While some mums find it easier to lift their children out of standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest height, other mums prefer an elevated base to give them more stability. The Joie Roomie Glide is a popular option and one of our mom testers stating that it comes with a simple collapsible side that you can push down with the click of a button.

Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should not be used until your baby is able to hold their head without assistance generally approximately 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It's also important to know that if you choose a bedside sleeper or bassinet that ywered to facilitate access, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

Safety

A large bedside cot's main security characteristic is that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their child to feed or comfort him or their diaper. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C section. It is recommended to choose the design that lets you lower the sides of the bed with a single button press. This allows you to raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to avoid adding anything to the cot that increases the chance of suffocation, or injury, including duvets and pillows, which can cause babies to overheat.

The CPSC's NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to product-related issues, such as 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 example they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. The CPSC decided, however, that these requirements were not efficient or effective in reducing number of instances in which infants are trapped between the bedside cots rail as well as an adult bed.

The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside cots beds that can be transformed into other types of equipment, like bassinets or play yards. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add a second clause to the proposed rule for bedside crib to cot sleepers with multiple uses which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that can be removed. The attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bassinet.

The CPSC is examining the comments and other suggestions received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November 2021.