Guide to Choosing a Cotbed
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 main advantage is that they can make the often traumatic switch 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 is going to be spending most 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 Mattress Positions
It is important that you can adjust the mattress height as your baby grows. You should be looking for a cotbed that has 2 or 3 different settings for the mattress height. With a newborn baby you will want the top position as this provides you with 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. When the base is on the lowest setting the sides of the cotbed need to be at least 50cm above the mattress.
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. 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
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. It is also important that you get a mattress that fits snugly into the cotbed. 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 good idea when choosing a mattress is to find one that has removable and reversible covers along with a a surface that can be wiped clean. You should also note that you will need to purchase cotbed bedding and not bedding designed for cots otherwise it will not fit.
Rails for Teething
When a baby begins teething it is natural for them 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.
Spacing of Slats
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. 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
Make sure you choose a sturdy cotbed. If you put together the cotbed yourself then check that all of the nuts, bolts and fittings are present 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.
Barry Waters owns and runs CotbedKids.co.uk where they provide high quality Cot Beds, Cot Bed Mattresses and nursery accessories in the UK
Article from articlesbase.com
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