Guide To Buying A Cotbed
Cotbeds can be used from birth until your child is around five or six years old meaning that you don’t have to buy a basket, cot or toddler bed. As well as this they can make the often traumatic switch from cot to toddler bed stress-free as you simply have to modify their existing bed rather than having to move them to a completely new bed. As with most baby products there is a huge choice on offer within the market and so doing your research before you part with your cash will help to choose the product that is right for you and your baby.
Initially your baby is going to be spending the majority of his day in his cotbed so it is not a purchase that you can take lightly. This item of furniture is also designed to be used for a number of years and so along with the safety aspects you need to consider the style and ‘fit’ with your home decor.
Adjustable Mattress Positions
It is important that you can adjust the mattress height as your baby gets bigger. You should be looking for a cotbed that has 2 or 3 different settings for the mattress height. At the start you will want the top position as this provides you with the easiest access to your little one. It will not be long before your baby is going to be able to push up onto their hand and knees and it is at this stage that you will need to be able to move the mattress down for extra safety. When the base is on the lowest setting the sides of the cotbed should be at least 50cm higher than the mattress.
Dropsides or Fixed Sides
This is mostly a personal decision but if you should be particularly petite or have a back condition then a dropside cotbed can be beneficial and desirable. If you choose a dropside get one with a one-handed operation that is simple to use with latches that cannot be reached by your child.
Cotbed Mattress
It is important that you consider ventilation as you need to ensure that around your baby’s head there will be a constant flow of air. A system for ventilation in the mid as well as the head section of the mattress is ideally what you will require, especially as you should be putting your baby to sleep in the ‘feet to foot’ position. Also very important is that you get a mattress that fits properly into the cotbed. When you push the mattress gently to one side the gap to the side railings should be no more than 4cm. Useful features to look for are a wipe clean surface, removable and reversible covers. It is also worth noting that you will need to buy cotbed bedding and not bedding designed for cots else it will not fit.
Rails for Teething
At the teething stage it is natural that your baby is going to want to chomp on the edges of their cot. Teething rails will act to protect a baby’s teeth during this stage as well as to prevent any damage to the cotbed itself.
Slat Spacing
Babies like to poke about in all sorts of places they really shouldn’t be and so you need to ensure that the gaps in the railings and base of the cotbed are small enough that your baby will not get stuck. It is the official recommendation in the UK that the gaps between the side railing be between 45-65mm and that the base slat gaps be no more than 60mm wide.
Build Quality and Finish
It is important that you choose a solid cotbed. Should you put together the cotbed yourself then make sure that all of the fixtures and fittings are present and that they are securely fastened when in place. If corner posts are present they must not be higher than 1.5mm and avoid any cotbed that has sharp edges or where the wood has been splintered. All finishes that have been applied to the cotbed must be non toxic and non lead based.