Part of the joy in the weeks prior to your baby's birth is getting the nursery ready.

When choosing a cot you might find it useful to keep these safety tips in mind.

All cots sold in the UK should comply with British Standard BSEN716.

This should mean that the cot is deep enough to be safe for your baby and that the bars are less than 45-65mm apart.

It should also be expected that cots which meet the requirements of this standard have no decorative 'cut-outs' which can result in your baby trapping their arms, legs or even head. They also shouldn't have any steps.

If your cot is second hand or borrowed and you are unsure that it meets the standard, you should inspect the bars to make sure that they are no further apart than the 45-65mm specification. The easiest way to check this is to try and pass a standard size soft-drink can between them. A normal can of coke should not be able to do this and neither should your baby's head.

If your cot is second hand and painted it is advisable to strip it off and re-paint using lead-free paint. If a child breathes in lead fumes and dust or even swallows it he may end up with lead poisoning which can cause learning difficulties and other neurological problems.

If you are certain that the paint used on your cot is lead-free just ensure that it is not flaky in any places as this could be a potential choking hazzard.

If your cot is made from natural finish wood check that the surfaces and bars are smooth and free from splinters by running your hand thoroughly over them.

Check that the mattress fits snuggly and that there are no gaps which could trap your baby's limbs.

It is recommended that if using a second hand cot you purchase a new mattress for each new child that uses it as there is thought to be a link with used mattresses and cot deaths. 

Which type of cot should I choose?

There are many types of cot on the market that come in various shapes and sizes. You can even get corner shaped ones that fit neatly into the corner of the bedroom as well as oval shaped ones that convert into junior beds, chairs or even sofas!

There are 'bedside' cots ( see below) with removable sides so that they can be placed right next to your bed which is handy for night-time feeds. This requires great care though as some of these models have been known to 'move' creating a dangerous gap between the cot itself and your bed where your baby could become trapped or even fall onto the floor.

Most cots have a 'drop side' which enables you to lift your baby in and out with greater ease. They also generally have adjustable base height so that the matress can be lowered as your child grows.

Cotbeds (shown below) are both longer and wider than standard cots and their main advantage is that they can be converted into a junior bed when your child is old enough. They do not usually have drop sides but can be an economical purchase as many junior beds can be used right up until the age of 10.

Sleep safety advice

Always place your baby to sleep on his back to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrone. His feet should be at the bottom of the cot so he is less likely to wriggle under the covers.

Of course all babies can move around whilst sleeping so it's worth considering using a sleeping bag (also known as grobags or dreampods). These are worn by your baby with just a vest/bodysuit  underneath and come in various tog ratings for different times of the year. They are suitable to use from about 10 weeks and you don't need to use additional clothing or covers unless it's exceptionally cold.

Never use a pillow in the cot. Your baby requires a surface that is firm and flat for sleeping. A pillow could cause suffocation.

Keep the drop-side of your baby's cot locked in the up position particularly if you are not in the room.

A cot should be positioned away from windows, heaters, lamps, wall decorations and other furniture which a child could use to climb out.

As soon as your child can 'push-up' on his knees than you need to remove any mobiles or toys that hang over the cot. Once he can stand the mattress must be placed in the lowest position and the cot bumper should also be removed as babies have been known to use these as steps in order to climb out!

When the cot mattress is at it's lowest height and the top rail of the cost is above your child's chest it's time to move them to a bed.

Check out my other 'baby related' guides.

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