As a cotbed is suitable for newborns right through until a child is ready for school it means that you won’t have to purchase a separate basket, cot or toddler bed. The other big advantage is that because you simply modify your child’s existing bed the transitions from one bed to another that can normally be quite traumatic can be smooth and relatively stress free. As with nearly every other baby product you are going to find that there is no shortage of choice, options, or styles, so a little research is going to go a long way to ensure sure that you get the one that is right for you and your baby.
Initially your baby will be spending the majority of his day in his cotbed so it is not a decision 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 height of the base as your baby gets bigger. Ideally you should get a cotbed that at least 2 positions for the mattress height. You will start with the highest setting as this provides the easiest access to your baby. Before long your baby will be able to push themselves up onto their hand and knees and this is when you will need to be able to move the base down for extra safety. When the base is on the lowest setting the sides of the cotbed need to be at least 500mm above the mattress.
Fixed Sides or Drop-Sides
For most people a fixed side cotbed is going to be fine which means that choosing a dropside will be a preference, however, dropsides can be particularly useful if you are petite or have a bad back. Should you decide that a dropside is the right choice for you then try to find one that is easy to use, has a one handed operation and the latches cannot be reached and opened by your child.
The Mattress for your Cotbed
Ventilation is vital as it is important that there is a constant flow of air around your baby’s head. 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. Another very important factor is that the mattress must fit snugly into the frame. When you push the mattress gently to one side the gap to the side railings should be no more than 4cm. A top tip when choosing a mattress is to look for one that has removable and reversible covers as well as a wipe clean surface. You should also note that you will need to purchase cotbed bedding and not bedding designed for cots otherwise it will not fit.
Rails for Teething
During the teething stage it is natural that your baby is going to want to chew 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.
Spaces Between the Slats
A baby will generally wriggle, move about and get themselves in all sorts of places they really shouldn’t be therefore you need to make sure that the spaces in the base and railings of the cotbed are narrow enough that your baby is not going to get stuck. Within the UK the recommendation is that the spaces between the slats in the railings should be between 45-65mm and in the mattress base less than 60mm wide.
Finish and Build Quality
Make sure you choose a sturdy cotbed. If you build it yourself ensure that all bolts and screws are present and securely fastened. 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.
Tags: Adjustable Mattress, baby, Baby Product, Buying Advice, Choice Options, Cot, cot bed bedding, cot beds, cotbed bedding, cotbeds, Furniture, Home Decor, Knees, Newborns, nursery furniture, Preference, Right Choice, Safety Aspects, Toddler Bed, Transitions, Ventilation