Choosing best bedside cot for newborn cots4tots , also referred to as bassinets or co-sleepers are designed to let parents sleep close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However, they are only recommended for use up to 6 months of age when your baby is required to move into a cot or a moses basket.

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

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 old. There are two sizes of wooden cots, large and standard, which can be converted into a toddler bed or cot. If you want your child (or children) to be capable of sleeping in the larger cot, it’s a great option to select the larger one.

MFM mother home tester Jasmine loved that the bedside cot was a little bigger than a Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby’s. She says it’s easy to get her baby into and out of the cot for nighttime feeding or soothing and that the quality is excellent when compared to other cots she’s encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.

Another home-based tester, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi is a versatile product – it’s a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the home, and it’s rocking too. It also has an option for inclining the reflux 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 is compatible with a South African cot mattress unlike other international or European brands. This means that you don’t have to purchase a new mattress every time your baby grows. However, it will require a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here is the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When you are choosing a cot for your bed be sure to choose one that can be elevated to a level that is comfortable for you to feed your baby. It must also be lower out of the way, so that you can pull your baby to feed them at night or comfort him. This feature is especially helpful if you’re recovering from 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.

You should also consider how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mothers find it easier to get their babies out of the standard Moses baskets when they are at the lowest level, some mothers prefer having a higher base that gives them more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is a collapsible side you can push at the touch one button.

Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby can hold his head up without assistance, which is usually around 6 months. This is due to the danger of being suffocated. Be aware that if your child is old enough to be able to convert the bedside sleeper into a cot you will need to take the sides off once they are able to do this. This will prevent them from climbing out or falling out of bed.

Design

There are many different styles of bedside crib, ranging from simple to extravagant. The more luxurious options may include features such as a built-in night light, a soothing centre which plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibration to help soothe your baby to sleep, or a swivelling base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. There are also models that can be converted to a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) which is ideal when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

For example, the Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, which won Bronze in the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Crib, Best Cot or Moses Basket category, has an adjustable base that allows you to pick up your baby and move them from one side of the crib to the other without having to get out of bed. This makes it perfect for new mums who are recovering from Caesareans or who need to stay in bed for longer periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine loved this feature, saying that it was easy to use and made reaching her baby much more manageable particularly after her c-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It is equipped with a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It’s larger than other cribs we’ve tested, but it folds up into its travel bag, making it 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 babies and parents in mind. ‘It has an excellent design that is incredibly simple to operate and is extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant as it means you can move the bassinet side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to facilitate access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their c-sections,’ she said.

Safety

The most important safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it is able to be moved up or down to allow parents to reach their baby when they need to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappies. This is why it’s perfect for mothers who still recovering from a C-section. Choose a model that allows you to lower one side at the push of a button so you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of the bed. This is especially important as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets. These can cause babies to overheat.

The NPR released by the CPSC NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues, such as gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing parts (6 incidents) and other miscellaneous product-related issues (9 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For example, these products would have to meet the minimum height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the lowered rail. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements are not practical or effective in reducing the amount of instances in which infants were trapped between a bedside sleeper and an adult bed.

Many of the reported incidents in the NPR included multi-use bedside sleepers which can be converted to other types of use, such as play yards and bassinets. Several commenters suggested the CPSC include a different option to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers that are multi-use which would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. The attachment can be permanently connected or disconnected when the product’s not being used as a bassinet for babies.

The CPSC is considering these and other comments received in response to its NPR regarding bedside sleepers. The Commission will take into account these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to come out in November 2021.