Large Bedside Cot Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot
Bedside cots, also referred as co-sleepers and bassinets, are designed to let parents sleep close to their infants at night without the risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is old enough to transition to an actual cot.
foldable bedside crib loved that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use in the home and an option 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 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 - which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. Selecting the larger one is a good option when you want your child to sleep in it until they are +/- three.
MFM mum home test Jasmine liked that this bedside cot was slightly bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for her baby's room. Jasmine says it's easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot during evening feedings or to soothe and that it's quality is better than other cots she has seen that are less sturdy.
Another home tester, Emily, likes how versatile the Maxi-Cosi Lora is - it's a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it's a blast too. It also comes with an incline of reflux as well as a machine washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the best Cot Crib, Crib or Moses Basket. 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 buy another mattress as your baby grows. It will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's 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 is comfortable for you to feed your baby. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can lift up your child towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This is particularly useful if you are recovering from a C-section. For example 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.
It is also important to consider how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their children from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest point, while some prefer a higher level to give them greater stability. One of our testers for mums said that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It is a collapsible side you can press at the push of the button.
Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeper should only be used until your baby is able to hold their head up unaided typically about 6 months. This is due to the danger of inhaling suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when 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 when they are ready to do so. This will prevent them from falling out or climbing out of bed.
Design
There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use with a range of styles from simple to lavish. Some of the more extravagant options include features such as a built-in light and a soothing center that plays music and sound and has two levels to help ease your baby back to sleep. Another option is the swivelling footrest, which makes it easier for you to reach your child in order to feed them. You may also find some models that can be transformed into the form of a toddler bed or cot bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a larger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air For instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It features a swivelling bottom that lets you take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without having to get out of bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean or need to stay in bed for longer durations of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying it was simple to use and made her baby much easier especially after a c-section.
Another alternative is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Award in the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline and rocking function. It's a bit larger than the other cribs that we've looked at, but it folds flat in its bag for travel, so it's relatively compact when not in use.
MFM mum home tester Leya also liked the functionality of this bedside crib, she explained how it was created with the needs of parents and children in mind. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She also said that the bassinet's swivelling base was a great idea because it allowed you to move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lowered to facilitate access for mothers who are recovering from c-sections.
Safety
The most important security aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed, comfort them, or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. You should choose an option that lets you lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This will allow you to raise your child without having to get out of bed. This is crucial, particularly as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also avoid adding anything to the crib that increases the chance of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which can cause babies to overheat.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to problems with the product that included gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) Fabric-side enclosed openings (11 incidents); consumer misassembly or missing components (6 incidents) and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR the CPSC looked into the possibility of adding more requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rail that is lowered. However, the CPSC found that these requirements would not be efficient or feasible to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.
The majority of the incidents covered in the NPR included multi-use bedside beds which can be converted to different types of furniture, like play yards or bassinets. Several commenters suggested that the CPSC include in the proposed rule a different provision for multi-use bedside sleepers that would allow them to meet the minimum side-height requirement for bassinets by using an attachment that can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product is not being used as an actual bassinet.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will take into account these comments when it votes on the final rule which is expected to come out in November 2021.