11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually OK To Create Using Your Large Bedside Cot
Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots (also called co-sleepers or bassinets) are designed to let parents rest with their baby at night without risk of SIDS. They are recommended for up to 6 months, after which your baby is ready to transition to an actual crib.
MFM home tester Mehack loved that this model comes with a lift-off bassinet you can use around the house and a manual rocking function. It was also easy to assemble and came in its own bag for easy storage.
Size
Cots and cot beds differ in size and size, with cots being a bit smaller than cot beds. Cots can also convert into toddler beds. However, cots are usually only intended for children who are the age of three. 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 bed/toddler mattress. Choosing the larger one is a good idea 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 was slightly bigger than the Moses basket, but not too large for the space of her baby's. She says it's easy to lift her baby in and out for feeding or calming and that the quality is great when compared to other cots she's encountered that feel cheap and flimsy.
Emily who is a home tester, is awed by the versatility of the Maxi-Cosi Lora that is a lift-off, mobile bassinet. It also is a rock. It also comes with a reflux incline and a machine washable breathable liner. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for Best Cot Crib, Crib, or Moses Basket. bedside baby bed is a perfect fit for a South African cot mattress unlike some international or European brands. This means you do not need to purchase a brand new mattress when your baby grows. It requires a specific bedding set (60x120cm). Here's the ideal mattress for your cot.
Height
When choosing a bedside cot, look for one that can be raised to a height that is comfortable for you to feed your the baby. It should also be able to be lowered to a level that is not in the way so you can raise your baby towards you to feed them at night or to soothe him. This feature is especially useful in the event of recovering from a 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.
You should also think about how low you would like the bottom of your crib to be. While some mums find it easier to get their babies out of standard Moses baskets at the smallest level, some mothers prefer a higher base to give them more stability. One of our mom testers stated that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular choice. It is an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to push of one button.
Keep in mind that a bassinet or bedside sleeping device is only suitable when your baby is able to hold his head up without assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation. It is also important to be aware that when your child is old enough to be able to convert a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot you must remove the sides as soon as they are ready to do so. This will stop them from climbing out or falling out of bed.
Design
There are many styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from basic to lavish. The more expensive options could include features like an integrated night light or a soothing center which plays music and sounds and has two levels of vibrating to help soothe your baby to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to reach your child for feedings. Some models can be converted into a toddler bed or cot (or both) when your child is ready to go to their own bed.
The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air for instance, won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Cot Moses Basket or Crib category. It is a swivelling base that allows you to take your baby to the crib and move them to the other side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is perfect for mothers who are recovering from Caesarean sections, or those who need to remain in bed for prolonged periods of time. MFM mom home tester Jasmine was awed by this feature, saying that it was simple to use and made reaching her baby easier - especially after her c-section.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another option. It was awarded Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards to be the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib. It has a machine-washable interior, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's larger than other cribs we tested, but it folds up into its travel bag, making it relatively compact when it's not in use.
MFM mom home test Leya loved the practicality of this crib for bed, explaining how it was designed with babies and parents in mind. It is very easy to move and extremely sturdy. Its swivelling base is brilliant because it lets you move the bassinet from side to side, and one of its sides can be let down to ease access especially for new mothers who are recovering from their C-sections', she said.
Safety
A bedside cot that is large and spacious's most important safety characteristic is the fact that it is able to be raised or lowered so parents can reach their baby to feed or comfort them, or change his or his or her nappies. This makes it perfect for mothers who are recovering from an c-section. Find a model that lets you lower one side at the press of a button. This way, you can easily lift your baby without having to get out of bed. This is especially important as your baby grows older and more mobile. You'll also want to not add anything to the crib that could increase the risk of suffocation or injury, like pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.
The CPSC's NPR included 24 incidents that were attributed to product issues like gaps between the bedside sleeper and the adult bed (12 incidents); fabric-sided enclosed openings (11 incidents) as well as consumer misassembly, or missing components (6 incidents); and miscellaneous other product-related issues (9 incidents).
In its NPR, the CPSC examined the possibility of adding additional requirements for bedside sleepers, such as the requirement that these beds meet the minimum side height requirement for bassinets, or at a minimum, meet the maximum height requirement for the lowered side rail. However, the CPSC determined that these requirements would not be feasible or effective to reduce the number of incidents in which infants were entrapped between the 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 the CPSC add an alternative 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 by using an attachment that can be removed. This attachment can be permanently connected or removed when the product is not being used as a bassinet for babies.
The CPSC is currently reviewing these comments and others received in response to the NPR on bedside sleeping. The Commission will be examining these comments when deciding on the final rule, which is expected to be released in November of 2021.