A parent’s duty is to make their baby feel safe and comfortable. That is done through nurturing them during feeding time, showing them love at playtime, and allowing them to rest comfortably when it is time for them to sleep.
When it comes to deciding which cot is best for your baby, you should not only base your choice on what looks good because there are also many other factors that go into selecting a cot such as comfort, strength, functionality, and how safe it is.
To find the best cot for your baby, keep reading the following considerations.
When To Transition Your Baby From Bassinet To Cot
Whilst it is completely normal to have your child in a cot from birth, some parents decide to start off with a bassinet beside their bed.
There is no drastic difference between a bassinet and a cot, only that bassinets are aimed at newborns.
Of course, you do not want to have to transition where your baby sleeps if it is not necessary yet, so when should you?
Here are some signs that your baby is ready for a cot:
Your Baby Is Too Snug
Babies grow fast and because of this, they will quickly outgrow their bassinet. Make sure to keep an eye on them when they are sleeping. Do they look too big for the bassinet? Are they too snug? Are their head and feet touching or close to both ends? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then it is time for a cot.
Your Baby’s Weight
Many bassinets can only carry so much weight as they are made primarily for newborns. It is very important to monitor your baby’s weight and see if it is still safe enough for them to sleep, or if you need to transition them into a cot.
Every bassinet has a different weight limit so check yours to make sure it is safe for your child to sleep in.
Your Baby Is Moving Around
As a newborn, your baby doesn’t have the strength yet to move on their own. If you see them rolling around and sitting up on their own then it is definitely time for a crib. This is no longer safe for your child.
Choosing Your Perfect Cot: Things to Consider
A lot of thought should go into which cot is best for the baby as it is important for your baby to feel comfortable whilst you know they are completely safe. Before deciding on the right cot for you, make sure to refer to our list for guidance.
Health and Safety
The major thing to consider is health and safety. This is vital for your baby as you want them to be able to sleep through the night without any problems. There are some general rules for using a cot that all parents should be made aware of:
- Cots should be deep enough to protect your baby and the slats and sides should be high enough.
- Slats on the cot should be between 4.5 cm and 6.5 cm apart to ensure the baby’s safety.
- To prevent the baby from climbing out, the slats should be vertical.
If the cot is in a separate room, it is a good idea to put a baby monitor in the room near the cot itself. This will help you to know if the cot is safe and is causing no issues throughout the day or night.
Mattress
Generally, mattresses are sold separately from cots; however, they are still an important factor in building the perfect cot. Find out the measurements of your cot to determine what length and width you will need.
It needs to fit the cot snugly so that there are no gaps. You don’t want your baby to catch a finger and hurt themselves. The mattress should also be of good quality and be comfortable enough for the baby to sleep soundly.
Teething Rails
As your baby begins to start teething, they will gnaw at anything they can get their teeth on including their cot. Not only is this bad for the cot but isn’t good for your baby either.
To stop this, you should invest in teething rails for your cot. The plastic covers on the railings will work effectively and is a great addition to the cot.
Cot Accessories
Many new parents may not know the dangers of having pillows and a duvet in a cot. Only after your baby is at least one year old should you consider introducing these additions to your cot.
Before then, however, a cot bumper and cot mobile are examples of great and popular additions to a cot. Your baby will feel cosy and in a safe space because of these added features.
Travel Cot
Although not a necessity, travel cots are handy to have if you are planning on travelling. Travel cots are just as safe as your regular cot, but are lightweight, made of different materials, and have a pop-up design so that they can be moved around and put away easily.
Are There Any Cots You Should Avoid?
The one thing which we recommend avoiding at all costs are cots with drop-down sides. These were once all the rage and perfect for parents who had trouble bending down to pick up their baby.
With this type of cot, the sides would simply drop at the sides, allowing the parent to easily reach in and grab their baby.
However, as of 2011, drop cots were banned in the US. This is because of the number of accidents occurring because of the design of this type of cot.
But with that said, these are still legal and available to purchase in the UK. If you feel like this type of cot will suit you and your needs, there are no known issues or problems in buying a drop-down cot.
How Much Is The Average Cot?
The price of a baby cot varies depending on the type, the brand, the materials used, size, and many other factors. Once you have done your research on a cot that covers all the pros and cons mentioned above, you will know what sort of price range your desired cot will be.
The prices of baby cots range anywhere from about £100 to £1,000 for a new baby cot. However, most cots are in the £100 to £350 price range, and for this, you can get one made of wood or similar materials. Travel cots typically cost much less.
If you are looking to get a cot with more features that is a little fancier, you would be looking at a convertible cot. These cots generally come with a headboard and frame allowing plenty of room for your baby to sleep and move around. Some of these also come with drawer storage underneath and cost between £150 and £400.
Finally, you have your designer, luxury, or specialty cots. These cots are for those who wish to splurge and have something truly unique for their baby. For these types of cots, you could realistically be paying as much as £1,200 – £2,300 or more.
Final Thoughts
Overall, choosing your perfect cot takes plenty of time and research. When it comes to choosing, you have to make sure you consider several points such as how safe it is, the height of the slats, the quality of the mattress, the type of wood used, the overall durability of the finish, and much more.
As well as this, it is also important to plan out a budget. Cots can be expensive, but this does not mean to simply decide the cheapest option. For the perfect cot, put the safety and comfort of your baby first.