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.