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When you get the joyous news that you have a child on the way one of the first purchases you’ll need to consider is a cot. Babies and young children need plenty of sleep to help them grow and so a comfortable and secure cot and mattress will be an essential addition to your home.

A cot is definitely the safest and most popular option for babies to sleep in and you can expect their first cot to last them from the day they come home in your arms from the hospital until around the age of three years old.

Cots have traditionally been fashioned from wood with two solid ends and a set of bars on either side which help to keep your baby secure and ensure they can’t fall out of bed. Generally one side of the cot will slide down to allow you easy access to your baby and make it easier to periodically turn the mattress and change the bedding. This is known as a drop-side mechanism and you can also use it to place the cot next to your bed and lie next to your baby without disturbing them.

Cots and mattresses are usually sold separately and you should ensure the mattress you select is a snug fit. The cot itself should conform to safety standards and be free of sharp edges or parts which could trap small hands.

While it may be tempting to re-use your own childhood cot safety standards have moved on in recent years and to reduce the risk of any problems you should consider buying a new cot and mattress for your child.

The reasonably priced economy cot comes in stylish teak, pine or white and meets safety standards with rounded corners and edges and a gloss varnish. This is a durable cot which also features swivelling castors for easy movement so that you can wheel the cot wherever you want it and a drop-side mechanism for easy access.

You can buy a breath easy spring mattress with a ten year warranty separately which will fit perfectly into your cot.

Your baby will spend many hours in their cot and so it is worth investing in one which will stand the test of time. To help your baby enjoy their cot you may also want to fit a mobile or activity centre. However, these should be removed at night so that your baby can get a peaceful night of rest.

There are also cots that come equipped with a teething rail which can be a great help to your child as they go through the painful process of cutting their first teeth.

You may also want to consider a larger cot when your baby grows a bit older and there is an option which can be converted into junior bed ideal for introducing your child to a new bedtime routine without unsettling them.

Cots ordred online should be easy to assemble and for your convenience delivered direct to your door.

 

Newborns spend most of their time sleeping, sometimes as long as twenty hours a day, so choosing the right cot is an extremely important decision. Nursery Furniture is available in many styles and designs, making it easy to find just the right designs and colours to match your baby’s nursery. Most infant cots have sides that drop down to make it easier to pick up your baby and some models will grow with your child, transforming into a toddler bed when your child outgrows the cot.Your baby’s cot should meet the current infant bedding safety standards. For more detail go to: www.baby-care-book.com.  Ensure that the cot is deep enough to hold your baby safely. The sides should be at least 500 mm higher than the mattress when it is in its lowest position. The bars should be at least 45 mm apart to prevent your baby’s arms and legs from becoming trapped between them, but no more than 65 mm apart so her head will not slip through.

Make sure every component of your cot is sturdy and firmly attached. Check the bars, the mattress base, and the drop sides, as well as any other panels or pieces for stability and for protruding knobs or hardware that may catch your infant’s clothing. The mattress should fit snugly inside the cot, coming within at least 25 mm of the sides of the cot. Any paint used on the cot should be lead-free to prevent future learning delays and neurological complications.

The placement of your baby’s cot in the nursery is another important safety factor. Avoid placing the cot near windows, especially those with curtains or blinds. For more help visit to: www.create-super-baby.com. Cords on window coverings are a leading cause of strangulation in young children. You should also consider placing the cot away from other furniture that may help your little one climb out of her bed in the future. Lamps and heaters can also pose dangers if they are left to close to your baby’s cot. Do not hang pictures, mirrors, or other objects that may fall on your infant directly above the cot.

When you put your baby down to sleep or nap in her cot, always lay her on her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Refrain from using a pillow with your child until at last two years of age and keep toys with small parts or elastic cords out of the cot. Always leave the drop sides locked in the up position and lock any rolling casters as well.

To prevent burn injuries, never use electric blankets, heating pads, or hot water bottles in your infant’s cot. Once your infant can sit up on her own, you should move the mattress to the lowest position to keep her from falling over the edge when she begins to pull up. After she learns to lift herself to a crawling position, it is time to remove any hanging toys like mobiles that could strangle her. When she is pulling herself up to a standing position, remove any large toys or bumper accessories in the cot that may serve as climbing aids. Once your little one starts climbing, or when her chest is above the cot’s top rail, it is time to move her to a toddler or standard sized bed.

Having your first baby is a wonderful and at times, frightening experience as you grasp how much there is to do. You want your newborn’s nursery and the nursery furniture to be better than a fairy tale dream, but it is essential to think about you and your little one’s safety and security above all else. So when dreaming up that new nursery take care to consider the following guidance.

The first thing to fit to a child’s room is a smoke alarm, for just a couple of pounds (or free from your local fire prevention officer) these life saving devises must be your paramount purchase. When your child begins to wander it’s important that any spare electrical outlet is sealed with a simple plastic socket protector to stop your inquisitive baby from sticking his fingers. It’s also a good idea to locate bedroom furniture in the way to prevent your baby from finding outlets.

The next most important thing is your child’s cot since this is where they will initially spend most of their time in those first few months. When picking a cot it’s important to ensure they comply with the government safety regulations (EN 716 within Europe. The cot must be deep enough so your baby cannot climb out. Ensure that the spacing between the rails is not capable of allowing the child to trap their head. Make sure that if the cot has drop down sides that they have robust locks to prevent them from being accidently operated by your baby. It’s important that second hand cots are inspected thoroughly for damage to fixtures and fastenings and that you buy a brand new mattress for your baby. It’s also vital to ensure the mattress is a snug fit and leaves not more than a 4cm gap around the outside to prevent your child from becoming trapped.

Remember to place your baby down to sleep on her back to reduce the risks of SIDS and stop using pillows or very fluffy bed clothes in the cot. If you have a nightlight in your nursery, place it away from the cot so the bed clothes doesn’t catch fire and avoid locating the light near drapes, plastic, or other objects that may ignite from the heat.

When designing your nursery plan ensure no furniture is located near windows, when your child learns to stand they may try to climb up and have a look out. Also avoid placing anything that may permit your toddler to stand on to peer out of a window. Keep the windows in the nursery properly locked. When opening a window for airing ensure it is firmly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.

Another item of nursery furniture to blame for numerous infant injuries is the changing station. Using a wedge shaped changing mat can assist enormously in making sure your child can’t roll away and some changing stations even have straps to strap your child. Keep your changing supplies out of baby’s reach. Babies and toddlers are instinctively inquisitive and nappy sacks or rash creams can be potentially harmful.

Rather worryingly one of the most common causes of harm in a child’s room are window dressings and blinds. It’s important that short window dressings are used that small children can’t become trapped in and that the cords on Venetian blinds are kept short. When using blinds ensure the cords are tied up to keep them short and are never within a baby’s reach.

It’s essential to have storage for the masses of playthings baby will no doubt collect but choose cautiously. Look for toy chests that have no lid or have very lightweight or child friendly hinged lids. As your baby gets older, he may climb inside the toy chesttoy box and a heavy lid may trap her so it’s important they be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight lids. You should also try to select nursery furniture with lids and drawers that are not as likely to trap your youngster’s tiny digits. Wardrobe and cupboard doors are also a possible danger to your child and you must consider fitting child safe mechanisms to prevent your baby from injuring themselves

By following sound guidance and following common sense, new parents can ensure they select the right choices when buying nursery furniture and create the perfect room for their youngster.