This article is about cot beds, so I should start off by saying that these aren't army cot beds we're talking about, but what's known as baby cribs in the United States. In England, the term 'cot bed' refers to the same thing. Now that we've got that sorted, let's get into the reasons why cot beds are the most popular type of bed for infants and toddlers, and how you can go about choosing a bed that will be safe and a pleasure to use.
We all know that safety comes first, so let's discuss the salient safety features of the cot bed. For starters, the defining feature of the bed, namely the bars, are there to protect baby by keeping him or her from falling out of the bed. This is all well and good, but you must also be sure that what's supposed to keep your baby safe doesn't have the opposite effect. You see, bar spacing is not standard, and bars that are set too far apart can result in your baby getting his or her head stuck between the bars. This has been fatal in some cases and is a scenario you definitely want to avoid. Fortunately, the ideal spacing is easy to figure out- bars should be close enough together to prevent a standard soda can from passing between them. This is probably the most important thing to get right, as it presents the greatest risk of harm. Another thing to check is that the casters on a bed that can move are lockable. Leaning on a bed you think is solid, but that actually moves, can lead to accidents.
Safe Baby Cribs
The previous paragraph contained features that are essential. Beyond these very important safety checks, you have other choices that can make a cot bed much more functional. One feature you won't want to go without is a dropside that is easy to manipulate with one hand. You'll be grateful to be able to drop down the side using only one hand when you have a crying baby in one arm. Dropping a side down makes it much easier to take the baby in and out of the cot bed, and your back will thank you for getting a bed with this feature. Entirely optional are chewable rails, which babies can chew on when they're teething. Also optional are toys that are built into the crib.
What you do need is cot bedding. These are perhaps best purchased in a set, as a set will contain most of everything you need and will usually result in some savings. It is wise to use cot bed bedding made of natural materials, as babies are more sensitive to contaminants and natural materials just tend to be more comfortable against the skin. You should also consider using organic cotton for this same reason.