As a cotbed is suitable for newborn babies right through until a child is ready for school it means that you do not have to purchase a separate basket, cot or junior bed. As well as this they can make the often traumatic transition from cot to toddler bed stress-free as modification to their existing bed is all that is required rather than moving 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 is going to be on diplay in your home for up to six years and so it is worth looking for a colour and style that will ‘fit’ with your home decor.
Adjustable Mattress Base Positions
The ability to adjust the height of the mattress as your baby grows is important. What you should be looking for is a cotbed that a minimum of 2 positions for the mattress height. At the start you will want the top position as this gives you the easiest access to your little one. It will not be long before your baby is going to be able to push themselves up onto their hand and knees and this is when you will need to be able to move the mattress down for extra safety. When the mattress is set to its lowest position the sides of the cotbed need to be at least 500mm above the mattress.
Fixed Sides or Dropsides
Most people are going to be fine with a fixed side cotbed 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 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.
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. Also very important is that you get a mattress that fits properly into the cotbed. When you push the mattress gently to one side the gap to the side railings should be no more than 4cm. Useful features to look for are a wipe clean surface, removable and reversible covers. It is also worth noting 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 for your baby to want to chew on the edges of their cot. If a cotbed has teething rails then these will not only protect your babys teeth but they will also 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 gaps in the railings and base 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
It is highly recommended 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 any cotbed that has splintered wood or sharp edges should be avoided. All finishes present on the cotbed need to be non toxic and non lead based.