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Original poster

Should I keep new cotbed - the side doesn't lower to put baby in!

44 replies

Mumyum1 · 22/06/2014 01:15

I have just received delivery of my new nursery set - the Boori Sleigh Royale. Cost a pretty penny, and absolutely beautiful to look at, the cotbed is HUGE and SOLID. However to my utter dismay and disappointment the sides were all screwed firmly in place - the guy who did the assembly laughed at my panic when I said 'but it's solid, the side, it doesn't come down!!??' He said in bemusement, why didn't you enquire beforehand, I replied that it hadn't crossed my mind that cots were made where sides didn't come down!!!! He then suggested I get into the cot with baby when I put him to sleep !! Anyway, I'm five foot and a half - baby is currently 6mo and is rocked to sleep then put in cot. The base is on the higher setting which means in time the mattress will go even lower, as I would not have grown it's going to be (I imagine!) impossible to put baby down asleep. There were a few scratches and the saleslady informed me that they would exchange the whole set for this reason and replace with same. I'm almost tempted to explain my dilemma but worried that they may refuse to refund if that's what I choose as I was the idiot who spent a fortune on furniture without doing my due diligence. Does anyone have any experience with this set? Opinions on whether I should try to exchange for a cotbed whose sides lower, or should I make do and work around it for the sake of a gorgeous cotbed? Why the he'll make a cotbed with sides that don't lower????!!!!! I'm so annoyed. It's so lovely. I'm an idiot. Opinions please??

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 22/06/2014 01:22

I thought sides that slide down are now banned and not produced or sold any more -- or is that only in the US? Daily Mail 'Drop-side cribs BANNED by U.S. government after deaths of more than 30 babies' 2010 article. You can't even resell an old crib in the US now if it has a drop side.

You could use a step stool to stand up on and then lean in over for putting the baby down when the mattress is lowered. Or two side by side for better foot placement and balance.

Original poster
Mumyum1 · 22/06/2014 01:32

Really Mathanxiety? Thanks! Never heard about this! I'm in London - going to do an online search quickly. Starting to feel like a proper fool!!!

OP posts:
LadyCybilCrawley · 22/06/2014 01:46

Ours didn't and I was happy not to worry about it

It wasn't a problem after getting used to it

Also the bottom of the cot (where they sleep) had three levels so you could have it high when they were teeny and lower it down as they got bigger and started standing

Original poster
Mumyum1 · 22/06/2014 02:03

This one has two levels LadyCybill and it's on higher level at the moment as he is not sitting by himself yet. I'm concerned because I'm so short. (How tall are you both?) And breast feeding so baby waking at 12,3,6 sometimes more and worrying at the thought of all that picking up and putting back down again. - I currently cosleep but trying to slowly get him out, he's 6 months.

Mathanxiety I've had a look online and seen a brilliant Which guide to cot buying - wish I'd seen it sooner!! Apparently drop sides not banned in Europe.

OP posts:
tutu100 · 22/06/2014 02:12

My ds's cotbed had a drop side. I never used it after the few few weeks as there was no need to. Once they were big enough that we had to lower the base, they were happy (well happy's not the right word!), but able to be put in it awake and then laid down. Infact ds2 actually managed to break the bits that hold the cot side up as he used to rattle the side so much. Once he did that we ended up putting him in a bed.

I am 5ft 4 though so a bit taller than you, but I never had any problems leaning over the side, and our cotbed seemed to have pretty high sides compared to all the others I have seen. I don't think you need to worry.

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/06/2014 02:19

They are banned here in Canada and I would never have one anyway. Very dangerous. However, the cot is set with the mattress height in three different places IYSWIM. The highest being when they are tiny.

LadyCybilCrawley · 22/06/2014 02:41

I am 5 foot 2

mathanxiety · 22/06/2014 06:09

If they're banned in North America in general, then I imagine Europe isn't far behind.

Rachie1986 · 22/06/2014 07:34

We found most cotbeds didn't have drop sides. Some regular cots did, but very few cotbeds, they just have the 2/3 mattress positions.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 22/06/2014 07:41

We had a dropside cot and never dropped it, the mechanism was stiff and awkward and rattled the whole cot.

CustardFromATin · 22/06/2014 07:44

Ours are from ikea and never dropped down, it's been fine.

beccajoh · 22/06/2014 07:53

It shouldn't be a problem with the base on the higher setting, but will be if you're still rocking to sleep when you baby is older and more mobile and needs it on the lowest setting, then things will be tricky if you can't reach.

We bought a John Lewis cot recently and it doesn't have a drop side. They're still legal in the EU but I think since they were banned in N. America fewer are being made with drop sides.

Mumof3xox · 22/06/2014 07:54

Dd is 14 months

I am five foot tall

Her cot side does drop but I think I have used it about 4 times

However we have always put her to bed awake ....

OwlCapone · 22/06/2014 07:55

I had a drop sided cot and never dropped the side throughout its stint serving three children. Well, I say never, I probably did when my PFB was new but it soon became a faff.

AntoinetteCosway · 22/06/2014 08:07

Ours doesn't have a drop side. It never occurred to me that it would be a problem, and it wasn't!

Original poster
Mumyum1 · 22/06/2014 08:09

Thanks this is really helpful. I think it's clear what needs to happen - in another thread (posted elsewhere can't remember where thinking I would get more but this has been more than helpful!!) I likened my cotbed purchase to buying a stunning pair of impractical shoes that looked amazing but killed my feet. Well I guess the stilettos are staying!! I'm going to have to find a way to work with it. Ideally we'd both learn how to get him to lie down 'awake but drowsy and contented' (sounds easy enough!). Then when reality sets in I'll probably get into the cot with him!!!

OP posts:
skitter · 22/06/2014 08:09

It'll be fine. We never used the dropping mechanism on our cot as it was more hassle than help, I just put him in over the top (and I fed to sleep until 8 months, at which point he stopped falling asleep feeding and started to self settle - I realise that doesn't always happen). My American pil and sil were horrified it had a drop side at all because they're banned in the US.

Poshsausage · 22/06/2014 08:11

I've out another mattress underneath his one to higher the level

Original poster
Mumyum1 · 22/06/2014 08:12

So while we're on the topic of my furniture - anyone have any experiences with the Boori wardrobes or should I start a new thread?? When I saw it at John Lewis I thought it looked amazing. Wen they assembled in the nursery I was a bit gutted as I thought it was rather flimsy and scratched easily. Now I'm started to talk myself into keeping it and not sending back. It is wonderfully spacious!

OP posts:
sillymillyb · 22/06/2014 08:13

I am 5ft 1 and had a gorgeous deep cot. I just used to "drop" my pfb the last few mm..... Which was always exciting when playing the will he / won't he wake up game Grin

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 22/06/2014 08:28

They don't really make them anymore because of safety issues, they are actually illegal to even sell second hand in several countries, think you are best off with a solid oneGrin

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 22/06/2014 08:30

They don't really make them anymore because of safety issues, they are actually illegal to even sell second hand in several countries, think you are best off with a solid oneGrin

Lottiedoubtie · 22/06/2014 08:33

Sorry for being a bit thick, but can anyone explain what the safety issues are with a drop side?

bearwithspecs · 22/06/2014 08:37

We had a second hand cot with drop sides but I never used them. I never got why they are needed.

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 22/06/2014 08:41

It can trap children if it drops and suffocate them. Also one I saw that was provided in a holiday home I stayed in was so easy to drop that any 9 month old could easily drop the side itself and fall out/ get itself trapped.
Might be rare occurrence but not one I'm willing to risk personally