Buying a Cot

[Sassi]

Hi All,

Just wondering, when buying a cot, what was important other than meeting the safety standard.

I am going cot shopping and finding it difficult other than shear looks to decide what I want.

So interested to know how did you make your decision?

Thanks Sarah

[MummyCharmzy]

For me other than safety standards it was important that it would be used a lot... so a cot that converts to a toddler bed (or toddler bed and more) was important to me. I also wanted it too look nice as its the main piece of furniture in bubs rooms. I didnt want to waste money and have a baby that wants to sleep in a bed from 12 months.

i chose a sleigh one that converts to a toddler bed so can be used until they're about 5

Another important thing which im not sure is part of the safety standards or not.. was that it has a teething rail... as my little girl proved my thoughts wrong that 'no child would chew on a cot' and she chews on hers every day...

I like her cot so much I bought Savannah one too :)

[shed]

I wanted a white one because it would go with the idea I had for decorating his room. I haven't done the room yet, the plan was to do it at six months when I thought he would be going into his own room (that is not going to happen until he's about a year old now though).

I also wanted one that was a brand that I was familiar with.

And had a teething rail.

That's about it.

I didn't get the convertible one coz I am buying him a bed in the shape of a car when the time comes. :D

He hasn't slept in the cot yet, he's still in his bassinette and we are going to put the cot in our room when he is out of the bassinette, so my idea for doing up his nursery is probably never going to happen now coz its too babyish for an older baby. Oh well!

[*Sparkles*]

We also bought one that converts to a toddler bed.
When we were looking at cots a sales assistant showed an expensive cot that has the lift and drop mecanism. She banged her fist against the side and it just dropped! we were quite shocked as it passed all safety standards.
So the cot that we bought has 2 buttons that need to be squeezed simultaneously to drop the side. It is very easy to do but impossible for a toddler.
We also got one that has a solid headboard rather than bars as this is mean to be safer, and the side rails are thicker and more chunky than a normal cot.
All in all, I am very happy with our choice.

[joe]

We got a convertable one as well. The one we have converts from a cot to a toddler bed then a single bed. It is really solid too so I know it will last.

[Sassi]

Thanks guys you're awesome.
Out shopping tomorrow.

S

[Rhys'Mum]

Things I'd look for after safety issues met.

1st - Dual height so you don't break your back putting a young bub in and out. Once they are older and able to sit up you move it down to a normal cot level, but they are no longer a deadweight so its not as hard to bend and lay them in, even though they are heavier (and besides they sleep less anyway).

2nd - ease and noise of getting side up and down. A friend always lifts her toddler over the rail and always has done because it is too stiff and noisy putting the side down on her cot. While you may not want bub to be asleep when you put them into bed you don't want to startle them out of a relaxed state. NOTE: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS put the side back up, even when you think they are too small to roll out. I know of a family who lost a little one because the first time bub rolled was out of the cot.

3rd - Teething rail, ours doesn't and it now has a lot of "character".

4th - convertable. I love the idea of cots that convert to a toddler bed and friends have told me it made transitioning their kids into a bed easier. The only real complaints I've heard are that you can't easily lay down in bed next to them, cost more initially. (the other benefit is you are not hunting around for somewhere to store, sell or give away your barely used cot to - and believe me space becomes a premium once you've got oodles of clothes and toys they've already grown out of.)

5th - looks good. Lets face it, looks do count.