How to choose the right cot for your baby

When it comes to cots, it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to choose the right one. There’s so many on the market, second-hand sites flog used ones, and to top it off, the Red Nose SIDS safety guidelines remind us that there are stringent safety standards around cots to ensure our little ones are at safe while they sleep.

And then there’s the big question: do you need to buy a cot, bassinet, co-sleeper, or all three? We’ll deep dive into the world of cots so you can feel confident in buying the right one for your family.

You might be asking yourself, which one do I need? Aren’t they all the same? Do I need all three? Here's how each stacks up.

A bassinet is smaller than a cot and designed for your baby’s first few months. The smaller design means there’s less room to roll, and they can be easier to fit into your bedroom. Red Nose recommends that a baby shares a room with their parents or caregivers for the first six months, and a bassinet makes this easier, especially if you’re short on space.

Cots in Australia follow strict safety standards, however bassinets are not as regulated, so make sure it meets the Australian Safety Standards. Red Nose have an excellent guide in what to look for in a bassinet to ensure it is safe.

A co-sleeper is like a bassinet, but with a side panel that can be zipped down. This means you can sleep next to your baby, while still allowing them their own separate sleeping space, as recommended by Red Nose. Again, unlike cots, co-sleepers are not as regulated, so ensuring they meet Australian Safety Standards is a must.

Cots are larger than a bassinet or co-sleeper and will be your child’s sleeping space until they’re ready to transition to a bed (usually around 2-3 years old, but sometimes as early as 18 months). Cots sold in Australia must adhere to the Australian and New Zealand Standard for Cots (AS/NZS 2172:2003) - this will be marked on a label somewhere on the cot.

A mattress must be firm and flat to be considered safe for your baby’s cot. It needs to fit snugly in the cot, ensuring there are no gaps. Like cots, a mattress for infants must adhere to strict safety standards, in this case, it’s the AS/NZS Voluntary Standard (AS/NZS 8811.1:2013). A mattress protector will help keep a mattress clean and dry, avoiding any bacteria or mould growing, but ensure it is fitted correctly.

Second-hand mattresses can carry the risk of being mouldy, dirty, or too soft.

Author’s note: We bought a second-hand co-sleeper for our little one. It was a brand that met the Australian Standards and was only about six months old, so we were confident it was safe. It wasn’t until I took the mattress out to put on new sheets that I saw the base of the mattress was covered in mould. We had to throw it out and buy a new one. The previous owner had tried to wash it, but had not let it dry properly, so it became the perfect breeding ground for mould.

Cots are usually made with vertical bars along the side, and these bars should be between 5cm and 9.5cm, so that your child’s legs and arms won’t get trapped in between them. It's also important to make sure there are no gaps more than 2cm between the mattress and the sides of the cot. Large gaps can cause a suffocation risk if your baby rolls face down into them.

Most cots should be free of any sharp edges, but it’s always good to double check there’s nothing protruding that can catch clothing, which can be a bit distressing for bub. At worst, caught clothing can pose a strangulation risk.

The height between the mattress and the top of the cot railing should be high enough that your child cannot climb out of it. Most cots have an adjustable side so you can accommodate your growing toddler. When toddlers get to a point where they are trying to climb out of the cot - and you think they might just succeed - then it’s time to look to transition them into a bed.

Buying second-hand baby items can be an excellent way to pick up a bargain and save some money. But as a safe sleeping environment is critical for the safety of your baby, it’s important that if you opt for a second-hand cot, you keep the safety standards in mind. Aside from the above, there are a few things to look out for that are specific to second-hand cots.

Cots built decades ago used lead paint, and as most babies tend to use cots as a teething toy at some point, lead paint is a big no-no. If you can’t be sure how old the cot is and when it was built, avoid it. 1970 is when lead paint was phased out for painting cots in Australia. Keep in mind though, if you’re importing a cot from overseas, it may have used lead paint.

The key to cot safety is to keep things simple and minimal—no toys, blankets, or pillows in the cot, and no frilly adornments and attachments that may pose a choking or strangulation risk. If your nan is offering you an old cot with bells and whistles, ruffles and lace, politely say no.

A second-hand cot may have loose or broken parts. Ensure everything is in good working order before you put your baby in the cot to sleep. Even better, ensure you have the instructions and manual, which will help make certain you have all the pieces and nothing is missing.

Travel cots, or port-a-cots, are a great option to take away with you as they are usually lightweight and pack up easily. But before you think ‘Hang on, why not just use a travel cot all the time?’, they are designed to be used temporarily, not as your baby’s permanent sleeping space.

The folding aspect means if not set up correctly, they can collapse on themselves, and they tend to be easier to climb out of.

Being closer to the floor, they also tend to be colder for bub while they sleep but don’t add any additional mattresses or blankets. Better to insulate the floor with carpet of blankets, and put the travel cot on top to ensure there are no obstructions.

As with regular cots, make sure you get a travel cot that meets the Australian Safety Standard.

It’s not just your baby’s safety that needs to be considered (although, it is of course, extremely important!). Will the cot fit in your baby’s nursery? Is it easy to assemble? How heavy is the material? Is the base adjustable, or will you need to bend over every time you place your baby down for a sleep?  These are all important considerations when picking out a cot.

Other things to consider when choosing a cot are:

• Make sure it’s not too heavy to lift if you need to move it
• The drop side of the cot should be easy to move for an adult, and impossible to move for a child
• It can be placed in a room away from obstructions, dangling cords, heaters and powerpoints