
Baby bed options for your family — what to look for in a cot
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Along with a million and one other things, making sure your little ones are as snug as a bug at bedtime is high on the to-do list for any new parent.
We know that when it comes to finding everything you need for your kids’ bedroom, things can get overwhelming — and fast. The internet is awash with tips, tricks and a helluva lot of options. But we’re here to break it down because the top priority is for bubs to have somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep.
Let’s take a look at exactly what you need to be looking for when choosing the best cot or cot bed for your baby. We’ll cover everything from what to look for in a cot and savvy safety pointers for your baby bed to when you need to think about moving your little ones out of the cot and into a big kids’ bed.
At Koala we wanted to create the safest and most stylish cot in Australia
5 questions to consider when looking for a new cot
🍼 Does the cot meet Australian safety standards? 🍼 Does the mattress fit properly? 🍼 Is it made from durable, quality materials? 🍼 Does it have safety rails? 🍼 Can it be assembled easily?What safety features should a cot have?
Keeping bubs safe is top of every parent’s mind. Firstly, always look for a cot that meets Australian safety certification standards. Not every cot will, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s details. The cot needs to be deep enough to prevent your little tot from falling out, and it needs to do away with anything the cheeky little monkey could use to climb out. Secondly, it’s important to have a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet. You also want to avoid things like soft toys, hanging mobiles, pillows and cot bumpers, as they’re all possible sources of airway obstruction for our little bubs. Look for a cot made with premium, solid materials and no sharp edges to help keep little heads safe from knocks and bumps.How to choose the right mattress
When it comes to choosing a mattress for your cot, you need one that fits snuggly inside the frame. As there is no standard cot size in Australia, it’s important to match your cot mattress with your cot. Make sure there’s no more than a 2cm gap between the edge of the mattress and the side of the cot when the mattress is centred. Avoid gaps, lumps or bumps in the mattress that could pose a safety issue for very small babies. And look out for certifications to ensure the mattress complies with Australian standards.Should you buy a cot and mattress together?
There isn’t a hard-and-fast rule when it comes to buying your cot and mattress together. But bear in mind that you want the mattress to fit snuggly inside the cot. If you go for a cot and mattress package, you can be sure they’ll be the perfect fit.