The first bed you buy your baby should have all the right qualities. This is because it will help provide protection when your baby is asleep, and after they wake up. With so many designs out there, it can be a daunting task just to find the right one. Within the first weeks after bringing your bundle of joy home, it’s important that they sleep in your room, and it’s much later when they'll be moved to a nursery, furnished with baby nursery furniture. Either way, they need to have their dedicated sleeping space. Below are qualities that you'll need to consider when buying your baby their first cot.
1. Convertibility
A cot should be able to change into multiple positions. So, it is important that a cot can be converted from flat mode to sitting up mode with ease for the convenience of your baby. It will allow you to position the baby according to their age and requirements. For instance, an infant might like sleeping in the reclined position, while a toddler might like sleeping in the upright position. Then, when your baby is old enough to stand up and climb out of their cot, you can easily convert it into a sitting pose for added security. In line with the folks from Little Lou Baby, you should opt for one that allows you to do this with ease without locking or latching any buttons, as they are a huge nuisance to deal with during the night. Also, check out whether it has an adjustable base or not for the convenience of your baby’s movement and sleep patterns.
2. Durability
To ensure your baby is safe from any damages, make sure you are buying a cot that can last for a long time. Make sure it has a sturdy construction and does not wobble when the baby moves around in their sleep. Since babies love to chew on things such as wooden posts or bars, check if the material used to make the cot is non-toxic. In addition, check if there are any sharp edges on the frame, as this may harm your baby when they move around or are too close to it.
3. Comfort
When you're buying a cot, one of the qualities that should be looked for is comfort. Look at the mattress and see if it has some padding to make your baby comfortable when he sleeps on it. Check out what materials have been used in making the mattress – whether these are organic or not will also matter because this determines how healthy it is for your baby to sleep on.
Here’s a quick one; another quality to look for is safety. The ends and sides of the cot should be sturdy enough that it won't break on your baby or collapse while he's sleeping in it. It also shouldn't have any sharp edges, as this may cause injuries if your baby accidentally bumps into them when he wakes up from a nap.
4 Easy To Clean
If it’s easy to clean, then you are more likely going to keep the bedding and mattress in good condition for longer. The feel of the product also contributes, as some fabrics have qualities that make them easier or harder to get rid of dirt than others do.
A mattress that is hard to clean may mean you won’t maintain it as well, which will have an impact on the quality of your baby’s sleep. The only way to know for sure how easy a product is to clean is by trying it yourself and seeing how long it takes in order for dirt to come out.
5. Adjustability
A cot should be easily adjustable as your baby grows. You need a mattress that can grow with them, so picking one that is tall enough to last for two months or more will make sure you are covered until they have grown out of the cot stage entirely (average life expectancy being around five years). If the mattress is adjustable, that’s even better as it means they can stay in their bed longer before moving
With so many options that are available to choose from, it can be difficult to know which cot to pick and which is best for you. You may also want to take into account the size and how much storage space is available in your home. Once you have assessed these important factors, then find one with all of the features that fit your needs best!
