As a cotbed is suitable for newborn babies right through until pre-school it means that you won’t have to purchase a separate 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 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. A cotbed is also a piece of furniture that will be on diplay in your home for a number of years and therefore it is worth looking for a style and colour that will ‘fit’ with your home decor.
Different Mattress Positions
The ability to adjust the height of the mattress as your baby grows is important. Ideally you should get a cotbed that a minimum of 2 positions for the base height. With a newborn baby you will want the top position as this provides you with the easiest access to your little one. 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.
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. Should you decide that a dropside is the correct choice for you then look for one that is easy to use, can be operated with one hand and the latches cannot be reached and opened by your baby.
Mattress
Ventilation is vital as it is important that there is a constant flow of air around your baby’s head. As you should always be putting your baby to sleep in the ‘feet to foot’ position it means that you will require a ventilation system in both the head and mid section of the mattress. Another very important factor is that the mattress must fit snugly into the frame. If you push the mattress to one side of the cot then there should not be more than a 4cm gap to the side railings. A top tip when choosing a mattress is to find one that has removable and reversible covers as well as a wipe clean surface. It is also worth noting that you will need to buy cot bed bedding and not bedding designed for cots else 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 act to protect a baby’s teeth during this stage as well as to prevent any damage to the cotbed itself.
Slat Spacing
Babies are inquisitive and have no problems getting stuck in gaps and holes so you need to pay attention to the distance between the spaces of the slats. 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 not more than 60mm wide.
Finish and Build Quality
It is important that 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.