5 Things to Consider when Buying a Cot or Cot Bed

It can be a bit of a minefield when you are faced with buying all of the bits and pieces that you need for your baby – especially if you don’t know what you should be looking for.

As one of the most important and expensive purchases you will make, it is hugely important that you invest in a cot or cot bed that suits your needs.

In an attempt to help you with your selection, we have come up with what we believe are the top 5 things that you need to consider before taking the plunge:

1. Cot or Cot bed?

Ultimately, this decision will come down to a combination of factors.  The two key differences between a cot and a cot bed are size and type of use.

 Size 

If space it limited in your nursery, you may decide that the better option is to go for a cot.  If you are not constrained by space, a cot bed will be more economical in the long run.

Measuring approximately 124 x 64cm, the cot is the smaller of the two options.  Cot beds tend to vary more by design but on average the size of a cot bed tends to be around 145 x 75cm. 

Required Lifespan of Cot

Whilst a standard cot should be big enough until your child is about 2, the main benefit of choosing a cot bed is that it will be suitable for your child until they are about 4 or 5.  Some cot beds also convert into day beds, which extends the life of the bed further.

2. Adjustable Base Heights

Many cots and cot beds have adjustable base heights.  The key benefit of being able to change the height of the base is accessibility!  Until your baby is able to pull itself up (at which point when safety will require you to reduce the height), you will find it much easier to get them in and out of the cot if the base is near to the top.  Bearing in mind, most mothers suffer with an aching back at some point, we think that this feature is pretty important!

We advise against drop side cots due to the health and safety risks which have actually resulted in them being outlawed in the United States.

3. Teething Rail 

The majority of little ones will at one time or another decide to chew the sides of their cot!  Non-Toxic teething rails not only ensure that your cot bed maintains it’s looks but also offer protection for those delicate gums and teeth and prevent your baby from ingesting paint or varnish.

4. Safety

Safety is likely to be at the forefront of every parent’s mind and the best way to check that your cot or cot bed is fit for it’s purpose is to check that it complies with British Safety Standards (BS EN 716-1 & 2:2008 and BS 8509: 2008) 

In order to comply with these safety standards, cot bars must be between 2.5cm and 6.5cm apart and must not have cut outs or steps. 

5. Maneuverability

You may wish to consider the weight of the cot and how easy it is to move around.  There will be occasions when you need to move your cot (such as when your baby is sick) and having castors on the legs of your cot can make this process much easier.

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