Babies often find comfort in their bassinet or cosy crib when they are born. As adorable as they may look, you know that your baby will not stay small forever. They will soon grow up as toddlers and would want to have their own space and bed.
Most first-time parents are excited to prepare their baby’s nursery and choosing the ideal cot bed for your little one is at the top of your list. There are certain considerations that you have to look into when buying a cot bed — design, price, and safety features.
If you are thinking of investing in a proper cot bed, you may want to check out the Not Too Big collection of amazing baby cots. With the right cot bed, you can provide your little one with the safety and comfort they need.
What is a cot bed?
A cot bed is a variant of a cot but with more features. A cot bed is a versatile and multi-functional bed for your baby. It is bigger than a cot but smaller than a grown-up single bed. It has teething rails, a headboard and footboard, casters, and under cot drawers.
A cot bed can be used by your newborn until they reach the age of 5 or 6. The cot bed requires bedding and a mattress. The cot bed’s height can be adjusted to transform it into a low bed. The sidebars and ends can also be removed.It also has detachable sides, including sidebars and the end panel.
Size
Cot beds commonly come in 140 x 70 cm (55.1” x 27.5”). If your home doesn’t have enough space for a cot bed, you can opt for other bed choices for your baby like a cot. However, if space is not a problem, it would be best to go for a cot bed.
Lifespan
The cot bed can be used by your child until they are 5 years old or until they can still fit in their cot bed. This all depends on how fast your little one grows.
Accessibility
The problem with cot beds is the fact that there are only a few manufacturers who make cot beds. You may need to spend more time searching for the right cot bed for your little one.
Advantages of a Cot Bed
The advantages of using a cot bed are practicality and convenience in not having to buy another bed for your growing child. A cot bed is also spacious, offering enough room for your child to move around. A cot bed is cost-effective because your child can use it longer.
Disadvantages of Using a Cot bed
There are also cons to having a cot bed. Here are some of the disadvantages:
- A cot bed is slightly more expensive than a cot
- Not ideal for a small nursery
- Unsafe when assembled incorrectly
- You would need to buy a new set of mattresses or beddings
Considerations in Buying a Cot Bed
If the pros outweigh the cons and you are leaning towards getting a cot bed for your baby, here are some considerations that you may want to look into when choosing and buying a cot bed:
Design
When talking about the ideal cot bed design, there are three things to consider – aesthetic, adjustable height, and removable side bars. When talking about the design, the first that comes to mind is the aesthetic – how it looks, colour, style, and materials used.
Your choice of aesthetic may depend on the theme that you have for your nursery. Or, you want to match it with certain pieces of furniture that you already have. Aside from the overall look of the cot bed, you should definitely look into its height adjustment settings.
Ideally, a cot bed has three height settings. The top height setting is for the newborn stage. The mid-height setting is for when your baby is learning how to stand, and the lowest-height setting is for the toddler stage.
Lastly, when your baby is already a toddler, they require more freedom to move, and it is vital that the cot bed’s bars are removable. Removing the bars gives your toddler the freedom from confinement and learning how to be independent.
Price
A cot bed is relatively more expensive than an ordinary cot for it is multi-functional and durable. However, owning a cot bed is more cost-effective because you can use it longer. This makes it more practical.
Safety
For all parents, safety is always a top concern. You should consider the durability of the cot bed that you want to buy for your child. You should check if the cot bed you want to get is compliant with safety standards.
If a cot bed is too big for your room or nursery, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) encourages parents to allow their baby to sleep in their bedroom instead. A cot is advisable to be used in this situation.
Conclusion
Your baby will grow up and will demand independence. One way of giving them the chance to be independent is by offering them their own bed – a cot bed. There are different styles and variations of cot beds which gives you the opportunity to decide the best one for your child.
Always think about your child’s safety when choosing a cot bed. A cot bed should serve as their comfort zone where they can feel safe and free. The ideal cot bed will also give you peace of mind knowing that your child is alright.
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