Cots
cots; portable; mattresses; mattress; ti-tree; tea; tree; ti;;
Contents
Many parents put their babies and young children into a cot for sleep because this is what is normal in their culture, but there are two main advantages of cots.
- The child sleeps at a level which is comfortable for the parent - attending to a baby is more comfortable when you do not have to bend down to reach the baby.
- The child is in a confined and safe place. The child cannot leave the safe place, and the cot provides protection from some risks - it keeps other young children away, and can keep pets away from the baby (although cats may still be able to get into the cot).
The safest place for a baby to sleep in the first 12 months is in the same room as their parent on a separate sleep surface such as a safe cot, because this lowers the risk of SIDS.
The cot becomes an important place to the child – a space that is 'owned' by the child.
There are many different kinds of cots and bedding on the market for babies. Babies don't care about how smart their beds look, but what is important is that they are safe.
Children have died in accidents related to cots. Young babies may be at risk of suffocating or choking. Toddlers are at risk of injury from falling while trying to climb out of a cot. About 25% of children's injuries related to nursery furniture are related to cots.
Buying a cot
There is a Standard in Australia and New Zealand for cots - AS/NZS 2172 - 'Cots for household use - safety requirements'. Cots that meet the Standard will be safe if they are assembled correctly. It is illegal to sell cots (including second hand cots) that don't meet the Standard.
The Standard does not apply to travel or portable cots, bassinettes, rocking cradles or toddler beds. This does not mean that they are all unsafe, just that the standard does not address safety issues about these cots and beds.
- Only use a standard cot for everyday use, not a portable cot or travel cot.
- Look for a fixed base cot with the lowest possible base.
- Cots without a Standard label need to be checked to make sure that:
| Depth from bottom of mattress to top of cot |
600mm at least |
| Depth from top of mattress to top of cot |
500mm at least |
| Space between bars |
50mm to 95mm |
| Space between cot sides/ends and mattress |
no more than 20mm |
Check the cot for:
| Finger traps |
No spaces between 5mm and 12mm wide |
| Arm and leg traps |
No spaces between 30mm and 50mm wide |
| Head traps and fall through risk |
No spaces wider than 95mm |
| Anything sticking out from the side or top of cot |
No more than 8mm (no corner posts, screws or knobs that your baby's clothes can get caught on) |
- Make sure catches are child proof.
- Make sure there are no sharp edges or corners, or holes that fingers could get poked into.
- Make sure that the cot has no more than two legs with castors, or that at least one pair of castors has brakes.
- Do not use a cot which is broken.
- Make sure all bolts and screws are tight, and that the cot sides, base and catches are strong.
- Make sure that paint on an old cot is lead free. If you want to use an old cot, strip and repaint the cot if you are not sure that the paint is lead free. Any new cot meeting the Australian Standards will have lead free paint.
There is a pamphlet published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) which has a picture which shows the features of a safe cot: 'Cots'
Mattresses
- Make sure the mattress is firm and well fitting, and there is no more than a 20 mm gap between the mattress and the cot sides and ends.
- Remove loose plastic coverings from the mattress.
- Mattress protectors need to be strong and fit the mattress firmly.
- Do not use a thick mattress in a portable cot, as a baby can get caught between the mattress and the stretchable cot sides.
- Some parents use ti-tree (tea-tree) mattresses. They become uneven when a baby lies on them so that the baby might roll over easily and have her face pressed into the mattress. Ti-tree mattresses are not safe.
- Inflatable mattresses are not safe.
- Some mattresses have a note saying they are 'approved' by health professionals. This does not necessarily mean that the mattress is safe, or that is the right size for your cot or basinet.
Portable cots
The main concerns with portable cots are that they could be dangerous if they collapse. The collapsed side could trap a child, or the child's head may get caught between the mattress and the sides of the cot (these may be stretchable).
The following should be checked when buying a portable cot.
- The cot should have a mechanism to make sure that it cannot collapse if the lock is accidentally disengaged.
- The cot should be sturdy and not collapse under pressure.
- The base should not sag or collapse when pushed down.
- There should be no gaps to trap a child's head or fingers (see Buying a cot above).
- There should be no gap between the side of the cot and the mattress.
- Only a thin mattress should be used (the one provided with the cot).
- The edges should be smooth with nothing sticking out that could catch a child's clothing.
- There should be nothing that could come loose and cause choking.
- Repair any tears in the cot sides straight away.
Do not use a portable cot if your child weighs more than 15kg.
Cot safety at home
- Regularly check that nuts and bolts are tight (follow the instructions supplied with the cot).
- Set the mattress base to the lowest position before your baby can sit up.
- Remove climbing aids (such as a large toy) from the cot once your baby can stand up.
- Place the cot away from curtain cords and other cords or ropes which a baby could get tangled in.
- Keep the cot well clear of heaters, electrical appliances, lights and power points.
- Have hanging mobiles well out of reach.
- Make sure the space above the cot is free of objects such as pictures or mirrors which could fall onto your child.
- Keep the cot away from windows, especially if the room is not on the ground floor.
- Never use electric blankets or hot water bottles for babies or young children.
Changing from a cot to a bed
- Children over 2 years are generally old enough to sleep on a mattress on the floor or in a regular bed with guard rails.
- They will be safer if the mattress is on the floor and they can climb in (and out) easily, and if they roll out they won't fall far.
- When a young child is moved out of a cot onto a bed, make sure that there are no gaps between the mattress and the wall, or bed head, or rails, etc, where the child's head may be trapped.
- For more information have a look at the topic 'Toddlers – moving from a cot to a bed'.
References
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) 'Cots'
(http://www.accc.gov.au/)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) 'Keeping baby safe: a guide to nursery furniture' http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/655340
SIDS and Kids 'Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy (SUDI) Frequently asked questions'
http://www.sidsandkids.org/documents/2009_03FAQMarch2009_000.pdf
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.