When it comes to doing shopping for your baby, being choosy is inevitable. Everything from their clothes to the furniture they use needs special consideration before purchase. This is for their comfort and safety and seeing as they can’t exactly speak for themselves, you are tasked with the burden of making sure that you choose such items carefully. A baby cot is one unavoidable piece of baby furniture and you have to make very careful considerations before deciding on one. Here’s a guide on choosing the right baby cot:
SAFETY STANDARDSYour baby’s safety is not debatable. They are very delicate and one wrong decision can lead to unpleasant accidents and incidences. In that regard, the first thing you should check when getting a cot for your baby is whether it meets the safety standards. In Australia, all baby cots are required to meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172-2003.
Most parents assume that all cots on sale meet safety standards but they don’t. There have been numerous reports of injuries and even deaths from cot accidents, some involving second-hand cots and others that were not assembled properly. If you are going to get your baby a used cot then have an expert check to make sure that it poses no risk of harm to your baby. Here are some of the safety basics to look out for:
HeightHow tall is the cot? What are the chances of your baby sustaining serious injuries if by chance they fall out of it?
BarsAre they long enough to keep the baby from falling out? Is the bar gap wide enough for the baby's head to fit or get trapped? The bar spaces should be between five to nine centimetres to prevent the baby from falling out or getting trapped which would cause serious injuries. They should also not be wide enough to fit the baby's limbs or fingers.
Mattress fitThe baby bassinet mattress should fit snugly with no spaces between it and the cot. This reduces the risk of suffocation and entrapment. It should also be firm but still soft: if it is too soft them baby could roll over head-first and suffocate.
SmoothingThe cot should be smoothed well until there are no sharp corners or rough edges. There should be no splinters or loose wood on any part of it.
The cot should be tightened well with firm bolts to make sure that there are no chances of it falling apart with the baby on it.
SIZEYour baby’s cot will probably serve as their bed until they are about two or three years old and need a ‘big boy/girl’ bed. Seeing as children virtually double up in size overnight, it is important to choose a cot that will accommodate such growth without tampering with their safety or comfort.
If you choose a baby cot to suit your baby’s exact size when they are just months old, you may just need to make another trip to the store in a few weeks. If it is too large, your baby may not feel safe in it which may lead to sleepless nights. They may also roll around way too hard and end up hurting themselves. Essentially, you may have to buy at least two cots by them time the child is ready for a bed.
EASE OF USEConsidering that getting your baby to sleep alone may be a herculean task, the cot should be as uncomplicated as possible. It should e easy to sue in all aspects.
For example, you should be able to open it or handle it with one hand, seeing as you’ll probably be holding the baby with the other. It should also be at a comfortable distance where you can bend to place or pick the baby effortlessly. It should be easy for you to open and close from the outside, but not too easy that the baby can easily open or close it.
If the cot has a drop side, it should not be too heavy for you to move. It should also be a few centimeters off the floor when open to prevent you from banging of crashing your feet.
EXTRA FEATURESYou should also be on the lookout for extra features that will help the baby stay in the cot comfortably or help them with other aspects of their growth. Some include:
Teething StripsWhen the baby starts getting up on their feet or sitting up, they will almost always have something in their mouth. Sometimes they may grab onto the edges of the cot and try to chew on them, especially when they begin teething. If they are unsecured they may cause serious injuries or cause infections. As an extra feature, some cots come with teething strips in such places where the baby is most likely to chew on. These, however, will need to be sanitized very often and checked for safety to avoid injuries and potential poisoning.
FlexibilityA convertible cot will be a bonus when your baby is ready to move to a bed. This would be around the time when the baby can stand quite confidently in the cot and when they start trying to climb out. This will also save you some good money in the process as you don't have to buy a new bed unless the baby outgrows the cot. A complimentary baby carrier or night time sling is useful at this stage.
WheelsYou can also look for cots with lockable wheels if you would like to be able to cart the baby around the house. Make sure that the wheels can lock securely and reliably for your baby’s safety.
In conclusion, your ideal cot will depend on how safe it is for the baby. Comfort is also important, seeing as it is where the baby will be spending most of their time asleep. Be sure to check and make sure that yours is also per your country's safety standards to avoid any accidents.
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