The majority of Paediatrics Associations recommend that during the first few months, babies should sleep in their parent’s room in their own cot or next to their mother if they wish to co-sleep, due to its multiple benefits for the baby and for the whole family.
But this does not mean that children cannot sleep in a cot, either because they prefer to sleep alone as they grow up (they get hot, move around too much, and wake up if their parents move), or because there are parents who simply prefer that everyone has their own defined place at bedtime.
So, if you are thinking of buying a cot, you should know what you need to take into account when choosing it so that it is safe for your baby and guarantees a good night’s sleep. In addition, we take a look at the different types of cots so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
How to choose a safe baby cot?
The regulations governing cots for babies and children establish the safety criteria that must be met by those sold in the European Union, paying special attention to the materials they are made of, the distance from the bars in the cots, the obligatory use of brakes on the wheels, etc. So when buying a cot for your child, it is advisable to visually check that the cot has the following safety measures provided for in the regulations:
Adequate size
The standard measurements of a normal cot are 120 x 60 cm. The cot must have a depth from the mattress to the edge of the rail of at least 60 centimetres and be 20 cm longer than the child. If the design has bars, the bars should be between 45 and 66 mm apart to prevent the baby from getting trapped.
Safe finishes
The cot should be made of non-toxic materials and not contain any parts that could come loose in the child’s hands. The edges and shapes must be rounded, without sharp edges or edges that could splinter. In addition, the screws and parts that join the different parts together must fit tightly and not have protrusions or sharp edges so as not to cause scratches.
Wheels yes, but with brakes
Many of the models on the market come with wheels to make it easier to move the cot from one room to another. At least two of them must have brakes to prevent the baby’s movements from moving it. They should always be fitted and should only be unlocked when the cot is moved.
Various heights of the base of the cot
The bed base should be adjustable to adapt to the age of the baby as it grows: from about 60 cm from the floor (when it is very small), to 30 cm when the child grows and the base is lowered. This prevents the child from jumping out of the cot and makes it easier for parents to put the baby to bed and pick him up.
Folding or sliding side rails
To make it easier to put the baby to bed and take him out of the cot. It is important to make sure that the mechanism has a double locking system that the baby cannot manipulate and that it is solid enough so that it cannot be unlocked by accident.
Comfortable
Babies spend many hours sleeping, and also playing in their bed as they get older. So it makes sense to make sure that their bed is as comfortable as possible for them. The mattress and box spring should be sufficiently rigid to allow the baby to rest comfortably without sinking in and to promote the health of the baby’s back. In addition, the mattress must fit perfectly on the bed base, with a minimum clearance of a couple of centimetres on each side to prevent it from being too tight and deformed, but without any gaps where the baby can get trapped.
No pillows, bumpers or toys
The area where the baby sleeps should be totally free. This is recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics. They advise against the use of pillows during the first two years of life, as well as cot bumpers, loose bedding (such as quilts) and soft toys, such as soft toys, to avoid choking hazards.
What are the different types of cots?
When you start looking for a new baby cot, you soon realize that you have to consider much more than just its appearance. Do you want a crib that grows with the baby or the one that you can move around your home? What material should you choose? Does it fit into your home? And this is far from everything you have to consider before purchasing a crib.
Choosing the one amongst so many different types of baby cribs is not as easy as it might sounds. But, by knowing all crib types and the benefits of their features, you will easily choose the right one for your needs.
Classic Cots
They respond to the typical image of the cot that we all have in mind: with bars, made of different materials, which the baby can use until around the age of 2, at which point they usually move on to a bed. They usually come with a height-adjustable mattress base, so that the mattress can be placed a little higher when the baby is very young and lowered as it grows.
Their main benefit is that they have a very long lifespan, something to take into account if you plan to have several children. Many of them also allow the bars to be removed to allow the child to get in and out on their own, so the progression from cot to single bed is often easier. By the way! There are some very innovative designs that are anything but classic and are perfect for the most avant-garde spaces.
Functional Cots
They are very practical and a perfect option if you are looking for durability with extra space. As well as being safe and secure, they have drawer units built into the bottom. For those who want to move their child to the room they are in, there are many models with wheels. With these, you can move your baby’s cot around without too much effort.
Evolutive cots
These are quite an interesting option. These baby cots have extra options, such as their removable bars, which mean that when the child is ready to move on to the “grown-up” bed, all we have to do is remove them and turn the cot into a bed. In addition to the space for the baby to sleep, these cots usually incorporate drawers or shelves that make them even more functional.
The great advantage of this type of cot is obvious: it saves money. You will not have to buy a bed (at least not for a long time), as it will accompany your child as it grows and the rest of the parts of the cot will be converted into furniture for the children’s room: chest of drawers, shelves, desk…
Co-sleeping cots
If you prefer to sleep close to your baby, co-sleeping cots are an option for you. Being with mum and dad is a basic need for a newborn baby, with great benefits. Moreover, during the first months of life, when night-time awakenings are so common, co-sleeping becomes an excellent solution for the rest of the whole family.
You can find mini-cots or medium-sized cots, designed for babies of just a few months old, which only have bars on three sides. The other side does not, and this is because this side is used to adapt it to the parents’ bed. They are usually fitted with an extra rail so that they can be converted at any given moment into a conventional cot. They have wheels (like many other models) and adapt easily to any type of bed.
Travel cots
Foldable and portable, they come in different sizes: from the smallest, such as the bassinet or scissor-folding cots, for the smallest, which can be easily transported even when assembled.
But you can also opt for traditional collapsible cots, which you can assemble in just a few minutes. The fact that they are transportable does not limit their safety. They are comfortable to sleep and play in and once folded take up very little space. In addition, models of mini co-sleeping cots are also being added for travel. And some are so complete that they even incorporate a changing table or play bar for when the baby is awake.
It is important to pay attention to the type of mattress included. Some brands include a soft base to make it easier to rest, while other manufacturers add a slightly firmer base to allow play and standing up. In any case, a complementary mattress can always be purchased to suit the desired conditions.
