Choosing a Large
bedside crib with wheels Cot
Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to allow parents to rest with their baby at night without fear of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months old, at which point your baby is old enough to transition to an actual bed.
Mehack, a MFM home tester, was awed by the feature that this model comes with an integrated bassinet that can be used around the home. It also features an option to rock manually. It was easy to set up, and came with its own travel bag.
Size
Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. They can also be converted into toddler beds, while cot beds are generally only used up to three years old. There are two sizes of wooden cots - large and standard - which can be transformed into a toddler bed or cot. Choosing the larger of the two is a good idea if you want your child to sleep in it until they reach +/- three.
Jasmine, a MFM mother who tested the product at home, said she liked that it was a bit bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby’s room. It's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or calming and that the quality is excellent in comparison to other cots she's seen that feel flimsy.
Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also has an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that breathes. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. The Lora fits South African cot mattress unlike many international or European brands. This means you don't have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. It does require a special bedding set (60x120cm). You can find the right mattress for your
cot bedside here.
Height
When you are choosing a crib that is bedside, choose one that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you. It must also be lower away from the way, so that you can pull your baby towards you to feed them at night or soothe him. This is especially useful when you're recovering from 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. Some mums find that it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets when the base is situated at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher level to give them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It has an easily collapsible side that you can push at the push of the button.
Be aware that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device is only suitable until your baby can hold their head up without assistance typically about 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 must take the sides off as soon as they are able to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of bedside crib, ranging from simple to extravagant. The most luxurious models could include features such as a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and offers two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or an adjustable base that allows you to reach your baby for feedings. Some models can be converted into an infant bed or cot bed (or both) when your child is ready for their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of the bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or who require a the bed for extended durations of time. Jasmine, a MFM mom who tried this product at home, said that it was simple to use and made it easier to reach her baby - especially after the c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the best Cot, Moses Basket, or Crib. It has a machine-washable lining, reflux incline, and a rocking feature. It's bigger than the other cribs for bed that we've tested, but it folds up into its bag for travel, making it a small size when not in use.
Leya, MFM mum home tester Also, she acknowledged the crib's usefulness. She claimed that it was designed to be used by parents and babies. It has a great design that is extremely simple to operate and is super-sturdy. Its swivelling base is fantastic as it means you can move the bassinet from side-to-side and one of its sides can be lowered down to facilitate access especially for mothers who are recovering from C-sections', she said.
Safety
A
large bedside cot's main security characteristic is the fact that it can be easily raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed, comfort or change his or his or her nappies. This means that it's ideal for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. You should look for the design that lets you lower the bed's side by pressing a button. This will allow you to easily raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is essential, especially as your child grows and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that could increase the risk 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 product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the
bedside cot reviews sleeper (12 incidents) as well as enclosed openings made of fabric (11) and consumer assembly errors (6 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC considered the possibility of imposing additional requirements for bedside sleepers, like the requirement that these products meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the side rail. However the CPSC found that these requirements are not feasible or effective to reduce the amount of instances in which infants were entrapped between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed.
Many of the incidents reported in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted into 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 beds to enable them to meet the minimum side-height requirements for bassinets using an attachment that is removable and can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as the bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR regarding bedside sleeping. The Commission will consider these comments when voting on the final rule that is expected to come out in November 2021.