Cotbeds are the ideal way to lengthen the life of a cot as they transform into a toddler bed when the time comes to upsize. This can be a difficult transition for both child and parent but cotbeds have the advantage of smoothing this process as the child remains within their same bed. If you have already started looking around for a cotbed then you will know there is a huge amount of choice and a wide array of options " safety features, fixed or drop sides, colours, woods, styles " making the right choice is not easy.
Initially your baby is going to be spending the majority of his day in his cotbed, sometimes up to 20 hours and so it is an important decision to make. This item of furniture is also going to be on display in your home for 5-6 years so you will want to ensure that you choose a cotbed in a style and colour that 'fits' with your home decor.
The purpose of this cotbed buying guide is to help you come to an informed decision on which safety features and options will be most useful and important to you.
Different Base Settings
Cotbeds should have 2 or 3 different settings for the mattress height. You will start with the highest setting as this provides the easiest access to your baby. Once your baby starts to push up onto their hands and knees unaided you will need to move the base down for additional safety. The sides of the cotbed should be at least 500mm higher than the mattress when it is in its lowest position.
Fixed or Drop Sides
Fixed sides simply means that access to your baby will only be possible by leaning over and into the cot. For most people this will not cause any problems but for others this may be impractical or undesirable. If you are petite or have an existing back condition then we would recommend you consider a dropside. If you opt for a dropside then we recommend you choose one with both a simple mechanism and one handed operation. The latches should be unreachable by children to make them safe.
Choosing a Mattress
The choice of mattress is an important one as you need to ensure that there is a constant flow of air around your babys head. The mattress will need to have a ventilation system in both the head and mid section of the mattress for those times when your baby is placed in the feet to foot position. The mattress also needs to be a snug fit within the cotbed and it is advised that there be no more than a 4cm of gap to the rail when the mattress is pushed gently to one side. Your three main types of mattress to choose from are fibre, sprung or foam. Fibre mattresses are environmentally friendly and provide excellent ventilation but they are becoming less popular nowadays due to asthma and allergy concerns of parents. Useful features to look for in a mattress are surfaces that can be easily wiped clean and covers that are removable or reversible.
Teething
When a baby starts to teeth it is likely that they will chew on the edges of the cot. The purpose of teething rails are to provide an extra guard that will help to protect the teeth of your baby as well as to prevent damage to the edges of the cot itself.
Cotbed Slats
The recommendation in the UK is that the spaces between the slats on the sides of cotbeds must be 45-65mm, and less than 60mm wide in the mattress base. This is important for safety as it prevents your babys head from getting stuck in the railings. As an extra safety precaution avoid cotbeds that have dangerous cut outs in either the head or foot boards.
Varnish and Paint that is Non Toxic
Make sure that any paints or varnishes used on the finish of the cotbed are not lead based and are non toxic.
Baby Bedding
If you purchase a cotbed you will also need to buy cotbed sized bedding as bedding designed for cots will not fit. Once you have purchased your cotbed bedding it can be used for both the cot and the toddler bed. It is advised that you avoid any bedding that includes any trailing ribbons or strings of material as a safety precaution.
Design and Build Quality
- The cotbed that you choose should be sturdy
- Any corner posts that are present should not exceed 1.5mm in height
- Exposed hardware, sharp edges or splintered wood should be avoided
- Screws and bolts should all be present and tightly secured
Initially your baby is going to be spending the majority of his day in his cotbed, sometimes up to 20 hours and so it is an important decision to make. This item of furniture is also going to be on display in your home for 5-6 years so you will want to ensure that you choose a cotbed in a style and colour that 'fits' with your home decor.
The purpose of this cotbed buying guide is to help you come to an informed decision on which safety features and options will be most useful and important to you.
Different Base Settings
Cotbeds should have 2 or 3 different settings for the mattress height. You will start with the highest setting as this provides the easiest access to your baby. Once your baby starts to push up onto their hands and knees unaided you will need to move the base down for additional safety. The sides of the cotbed should be at least 500mm higher than the mattress when it is in its lowest position.
Fixed or Drop Sides
Fixed sides simply means that access to your baby will only be possible by leaning over and into the cot. For most people this will not cause any problems but for others this may be impractical or undesirable. If you are petite or have an existing back condition then we would recommend you consider a dropside. If you opt for a dropside then we recommend you choose one with both a simple mechanism and one handed operation. The latches should be unreachable by children to make them safe.
Choosing a Mattress
The choice of mattress is an important one as you need to ensure that there is a constant flow of air around your babys head. The mattress will need to have a ventilation system in both the head and mid section of the mattress for those times when your baby is placed in the feet to foot position. The mattress also needs to be a snug fit within the cotbed and it is advised that there be no more than a 4cm of gap to the rail when the mattress is pushed gently to one side. Your three main types of mattress to choose from are fibre, sprung or foam. Fibre mattresses are environmentally friendly and provide excellent ventilation but they are becoming less popular nowadays due to asthma and allergy concerns of parents. Useful features to look for in a mattress are surfaces that can be easily wiped clean and covers that are removable or reversible.
Teething
When a baby starts to teeth it is likely that they will chew on the edges of the cot. The purpose of teething rails are to provide an extra guard that will help to protect the teeth of your baby as well as to prevent damage to the edges of the cot itself.
Cotbed Slats
The recommendation in the UK is that the spaces between the slats on the sides of cotbeds must be 45-65mm, and less than 60mm wide in the mattress base. This is important for safety as it prevents your babys head from getting stuck in the railings. As an extra safety precaution avoid cotbeds that have dangerous cut outs in either the head or foot boards.
Varnish and Paint that is Non Toxic
Make sure that any paints or varnishes used on the finish of the cotbed are not lead based and are non toxic.
Baby Bedding
If you purchase a cotbed you will also need to buy cotbed sized bedding as bedding designed for cots will not fit. Once you have purchased your cotbed bedding it can be used for both the cot and the toddler bed. It is advised that you avoid any bedding that includes any trailing ribbons or strings of material as a safety precaution.
Design and Build Quality
- The cotbed that you choose should be sturdy
- Any corner posts that are present should not exceed 1.5mm in height
- Exposed hardware, sharp edges or splintered wood should be avoided
- Screws and bolts should all be present and tightly secured
About the Author:
Barry Waters offers top quality cotbeds and cotbed accessories from his UK internet store CotbedKids.co.uk
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