Choosing your child’s cot bed

Cot beds are now beginning to be seen as a preferred choice for parents as a more cost effective plan for their child’s early years sleeping provision, after all when a cot can be used for approximately 2 years but a cot bed can have a lifespan of over twice that amount it’s not hard to see why the cot bed has taken off in the popularity stakes in recent years.  As when undertaking any major purchase though there are factors that need to be considered and research needs to be carried out to identify the ideal choice for your nursery setting, consider the following, safety, appeal, price, durability, ease of conversion to a toddler bed and if the cot bed is part of a matching furniture set.

What sort of features should you be looking out for in your search for the ideal cot bed?

Safety

Your child’s safety will be your paramount concern and so choosing a cot bed with fixed sides on all of their cot beds is by far the safest option.  Multi positional and adjustable base heights make  a fixed sided cot bed just as easy to use as one with sliding or folding sides.  With safety in mind though, the lowest setting however should always be used as soon as the baby is able to sit up.  A cot bed also eases the transition when the time comes for your child to sleep in their first “Big Bed!”

Postitioning

Think about how you would like your nursery layout to be, where will be best for the new cot bed? It is recommended that cots or cot beds are not positioned under a window or near any window blinds and pull cords or adjacent to a radiator and also that a new correctly sized mattress is used for each child should you be reusing the cot bed.  Are there any complimenting pieces of furniture in the same range as your cot bed that will fit in the space available? Try and plan ahead for longevity on your nursery furniture purchases, it might be a changer and dresser now but with a removable changer top in a few years it could become a welcome home for jigsaws, games and other bits.  Teething rails on the cot bed sides are another simple but useful addition to look out for as is any matching under bed drawer storage that may be available.