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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Choosing a cot?

12 replies

Franimal · 17/02/2011 17:40

Am 22wks, want to start looking for a cotbed, though don't know where to start, wondering if a drop-side is really beneficial? Do they normally come with mattresses or do you have to buy those separately. Any advice?

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bigcar · 17/02/2011 17:42

Yes, buy the matress seperate, there's a huge choice in variety of those too! Never used the drop side on mine but then I'm quite tall.

bigcar · 17/02/2011 17:43

oh and for cot beds get a decent quality matress as it will have to last a few years, don't get the basic foam one.

Original poster

Franimal · 17/02/2011 17:48

Thanks, I'm quite short actually, 5'4 so might need it...

OP posts:

bigcar · 17/02/2011 17:50

try it out in a shop when the base is at it's lowest level, imagine trying to lay a sleeping baby in it, if you can't reach the matress with your arm bent then try dropping the side and see what a difference it makes.

PukeyMummy · 17/02/2011 18:08

Re. cotbeds...do you really see yourselves using it as a bed as well as a cot?

We bought a cotbed for DD (now 2.6). Changed it into a bed when she turned 2. The problem is on the nights when she wants a cuddle or is ill, it's too short for us to lie down next to her. So we either bring her into our bed or....we buy her a "proper" bed. Which is what we're doing.

Also, if you have another baby within a couple of years, you are likely to want to use it again as a cot.

If I could do it again, I'd buy a cot not a cotbed.

As for the drop-side, we never used it. I'm short. It was a PITA reaching down into the cot but I couldn't work the drop-side very easily and so never bothered.

growing3rdbump · 17/02/2011 18:18

We have a cotbed and son (4 in May) is still in it (as a bed). It doesn't have a drop side, which was totally fine, and I'm about the same height as you.

Firawla · 17/02/2011 19:04

i'm your height and was fine without drop bed, 2 year old is still in it as a bed

lurcherlover · 18/02/2011 00:44

I didn't fancy a cotbed as they are quite big and I thought a baby might feel a bit lost in it...and also because if we had another DC I'd rather be able to re-use the cot rather than buy another, whereas if a child was using it as a bed we'd have to buy another. Having said all that, next time round I'm getting a bedside cot - wish I'd done that this time.

If you're going with the cot/cotbed, I'd really recommend a moses basket for the first weeks - get 2 stands and put one in your bedroom and one in the living room, then baby can be wherever you are. They don't have a set bedtime at first and it's easier for them to just be in the room with you.

mschillpill · 18/02/2011 10:42

Hello,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and while researching on cot beds for my LO, I came across this rather scary link that recommends against drop sides...

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40678788/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

So, no drop side cots for me...

notasausage · 18/02/2011 12:38

Cot beds are bigger than cots (obviously!) but have you considered whether you can fit at cotbed into your bedroom as recommended for first 6 months? You might find a cot fits better.

Also if it's your first baby are you thinking of having another fairly soon after so would need it as a cot for the second one?

I have a DD 2.2 still in a cot although ready for a bed so you can still get plenty of mileage from a cot.

Dont know if I'd bother with a moses basket if you have a lie flat pushchair or pram. DD only in hers for 8 weeks and even that was a bit of a push.

bamboobutton · 18/02/2011 12:43

check when you buy a cot/cot bed that the base can be moved down without having to take the whole damn thing apart.

we didn't check and it was a huge PITA when we had to move the base down, especially as we lost the instructions for putting the dropside back on.

luckily ds co slept alot of the time but it was handy to use it as a play pen.

shinygiraffe · 18/02/2011 21:05

Im only expecting my first but have worked in nurseries and put lots of babies to bed! I didnt buy a drop side cot cos I often found that just as you get the baby off to sleep, carefully lay them in the cot with an aching arm praying they wont wake up, then you put the side up and accidently clunk it and all your hard work is ruined!!

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