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. 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 most baby products there is a huge selection in the market and so doing your research before you part with your cash will help to find 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 Base Position
It is important that you can adjust the height of the base as your baby grows. 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 gives you 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 Sides or Dropsides
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 frame. If you push the mattress to the side of the cot then there should not be more than a 4cm gap to the side railings. A top tip when picking out a mattress is to look for one that has removable and reversible covers as well as a a surface that can be wiped clean. You should also note that you will need to buy cotbed bedding and not bedding designed for cots otherwise it will not fit.
Teething Rails
When a baby begins teething it is natural for them to chew on the edges of their cot. Teething rails will not only protect your babys teeth but they are also going to prevent damage to the cot sides.
Slat Spacing
A baby will generally wriggle, move about and get themselves in all sorts of places they really shouldn’t be and so 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.
Build Quality and Finish
Make sure you choose a sturdy cotbed. If you build the cotbed yourself then make sure that all of the fixtures and fittings are provided and that they are securely fastened when in place. If corner posts are present they must not be higher than 1.5mm and any cotbed that has splintered wood or sharp edges should be avoided. Any finishes that have been applied to the cotbed should be non lead based and be non toxic.
Cot beds are basically cots which are wider and longer than a standard size cot. Often parents choose to buy a cot bed instead of a cot because cot beds change into a junior bed - that is a toddler sized bed - after baby has outgrown the nursery cot.
Junior beds are smaller than an adult bed. Generally speaking, a cot bed will often last until your child is aged about 3-4 years old, depending on their size.
One thing bear in mind though is that you need to buy cot bed bedding and not bedding designed for a cot. A cot bed is a little larger than a standard sized cot so cot bed bedding, including cot bed duvets and cot bed sheets, take this into account and are made larger to fit the cot bed properly.
Also dont forget that cot beds do not usually have drop sides and not all types enable parents to select different mattress positions or heights. Without drop sides can mean it may be a little more difficult to get a baby in and out of their cot. Also, as cot beds are that little bit bigger than ordinary cots you need to consider your nursery layout if your baby room is on the small side.
We think that a cot bed can be useful for bridging the gap between a baby cot and an adult bed. You dont have to worry about your childs sleeping arrangements until they are nearly ready to begin school.
Cot beds usually cost only a little more than a cot so a cot bed can be a money saving option too as you wont need to buy a separate junior bed. Cot beds can provide a roomy sleeping solution for both older babies and toddlers
Usually, the baby's nursery is one of the tiniest rooms in the house.Lots of nurseries are adapted from home offices, spare rooms, and even walk in closets!There's nothing wrong with this, but it means working with a small, and frequently awkward shaped space. That means that the colors you choose and the furniture placed in it are of vital importance. The wrong ones could result in a cramped, overwhelming space. The right ones will make the nursery feel cozy and welcoming. However, the process of choosing nursery furniture doesn’t have to be a difficult one.Here are a few tips to make sure you end up picking charming but useful nursery furniture that's just right for your child.
You'll need to begin with a list of your basic requirements for the room.Usually cots or cribs are required, as well as changing space and storage.You'll need to work out the dimensions of the room and the furniture you want to have.Draw up a plan, marking the locations of built in wardrobes, windows, radiators, and the door's swing area.These obstacles can be real problems in your nursery if you don't remember them. Too many people have been surprised by an obstacle in a place they needed to put storage or other furniture.
This will allow you to figure out where your items will go. If you haven't bought your furniture yet, use an average from retailers to decide your placement.You might even think about creating pieces of newspaper in the dimensions of your furniture and placing them on the floor in the right locations.That will allow you to judge how much space is available and let you try moving around in it to see if things feel OK.You won't have to find out that your furniture is too close together or large after you buy.
Remember not to go overboard when you're buying things for your new arrival. It's easy to get carried away. Your baby will be using many of these items for only a short time, so it's a good idea to pay attention to your budget and your real needs. Will you choose a cots or cot beds?Is there a toddler bed ready for when a cot is no longer needed?What about the changing area? Make sure you have enough space for storage, and that it's a comfortable height for changing your baby - you shouldn't have to lean over or stand in a strange position. You can even buy cot top changers – these fit over the top of a cot – to save space until your baby can roll over.