Buying Cot Beds - A Comprehensive Guide

Cot beds are one of the first things in your list if you are planning a nursery. A nursery should always be planned with safety and comfort as the utmost priority.  Newborn babies do not need a cot bed immediately as a crib; a carry cot or a Moses basket will be sufficient for them, but a cot bed is opted for by most parents as it can be used for a long period of time, sometimes even till the junior years.

Basic Factors You should look for in Cot Beds

While looking for a cot bed, there are some basic yet facts that you should know.

• Safety features are the first things you have to consider, above looks.
• The convertibility is an important factor to consider for a longer lasting bed
• It should be durable enough to survive a lot of wear and tear
• The base should be adjustable
• The price should match your wallet - parenting isn't about how much you spend but how much thought goes into the buy.

Safety Features in Cot Beds

There are some immediate safety features which you should look for and they are:

1. The cot should be deep enough for keeping the baby safe
2. The distance between the bars should be appropriate, less than one inch to prevent the baby from slipping
3. It should not have steps or cut outs
4. The rails should have a soft plastic coating to prevent the cot from being damaged and also to prevent injury to the baby
5. If you are buying a second hand cot, ensure that the safety features are still all in place.

Types of Cot Beds

There are many sizes and shapes of cot beds that are available in the stores. Some of them are:

• Corner shaped beds that can fit snugly into a corner in the nursery.
• Oval shaped cots that are easily converted to a sofa, chair or even a junior bed.
• Bedside cots that can be fitted to your bed. This is very useful during night feeding.

Dimensions of a Cot Bed

The standard size that is available mostly has a length of 146 cm and depth of 77 cm. The height varies between 90 cm and 105 cm, and most of the cots have a height adjustable system. If you want the cots to last longer, going for the large sized ones will be the preeminent option.

Flexible Dimensions

Here are some of the options that are available with these beds.

• Some cot beds can be adjusted so that the ends become shorter, getting a child prepared for a proper junior bed.
• Base height can be altered according to the age of the baby.
• There are generally three base heights offered. The lowest is safe for the baby and can be used till eight months.
• The second height is safe to be used in bed mode.
• A four height model is also available, but the flexibility is not that much, as the mattress will anyway be lowered during the early stages of the baby’s growth.

Adjustable Sides

Cot beds usually are of two types based on the sides such as:

1. Fixed sides
2. Drop sides

The drop side enables you to lift the baby easily. There are cots that have this mechanism on both the sides. Though a fixed side is sometimes considered a safer option, drop sides in cot beds can also be safe provided the safety standards are met with.

Moses Baskets - All you need to know

Moses baskets are a comfortable and cosy choice for newborns, as they are light in weight and easy to carry the baby in. They are fitted with handles and some baskets are also provided with stands, so that you can keep them beside the bed at a comfortable height.  Not all parents choose to use a Moses basket and some like to go straight to a cot bed but if you like the idea of a Moses basket as your baby's first bed, here's some more information on Moses baskets: 

Types of Moses Baskets

Moses baskets are available in many varieties because of the material originally used to make them. They are:

1. Palm baskets
2. Wicker baskets
3. Maize baskets

Common Features in Moses Baskets

Moses baskets usually have:

• Bedding materials; they regularly come with sheets, blankets and coverlets, but if the temperature is warmer you need not use all of them.
• A hood that is covered by fabric
• A foam mattress
• A stand which can be folded when not in use. The stand can also be used to rock the baby and soothe it. 

Advantages of Moses Baskets

Because of its limited lifespan, many people hesitate to buy Moses baskets, but they have many advantages such as

• they are light weight and easy to carry
• There are handles provided to make it easy to move about with the baby
• The baby is nestled comfortably in a smaller space and feels cosseted.
• The fabric hood gives adequate shade and keeps the baby cool
• It is less expensive than a crib initially
• You can rest it on the floor or use the stand to raise it to the level you require, so it is flexible in height

Safety Precautions when using a Moses Basket

While using a Moses basket, you should strictly adhere to the following rules:

1. Always pick up the basket by supporting the base with one hand and holding the handle straps in the other.
2. Ensure that the straps are lengthy enough to be joined at the centre.
3. Make sure the surface you rest the basket on is flat, or use the stand provided.
4. Check for signs of damage, wear and tear frequently.
5. If the baby’s size and weight are more than what the basket can hold, you should stop using it immediately.
6. Take care to keep the bedding only up to the shoulder level of the baby.

Sleeping Guide

Sleeping Area: For the first six months, having the baby in your room while he or she sleeps is common for a lot of parents.  A Moses basket can be placed by your bed on a stand in the same way as a crib or cot.  This will make the night feeds easier.

Temperature: Make sure the baby is not too near a heater, radiator or direct sunlight. The room temperature should be ideally at 16 to 20⁰C. Do not use too many bedclothes. Make sure you use cotton sheets or a Tog rated sleeping bag that comes without hood. Duvets should not be used. Lightweight bags should be used to prevent the baby from being overheated.

Mattress: The mattress should be a fresh one. It should fit snugly without any gaps. It should be clean, dry and not ventilated, as it is difficult to clean it. Waterproof cover can be used.