Thinking About Safety
While looks are obviously an issue when buying a cot, the most important thing to think about is safety. Cots sold in Australia today should be certified under the mandatory Australian safety standard, but it’s always best to check for any possible safety risks before buying – especially when buying from an overseas seller or a cot that is pre-owned. First check that the cot is deep enough, so that baby can’t fall out. There should be at least 50cm from the top of the mattress to the top of the lowest side when the base is set at the lowest position, and 30cm when it’s set at the upper position. When it comes to buying a mattress (it’s best to always buy new), make sure it fits the cot snugly around all sides. There should be no more than a 4cm gap between the mattress and the sides of the cot, as this can be a suffocation risk. Also look for entrapment hazards. Any large space must be between 5cm and 9.5cm, while smaller openings should not be between 3cm and 5cm, or between 5mm and 12mm wide. Why? This can prevent little heads, limbs and fingers from getting stuck. In terms of the overall size of the cot, think about how much space it will take up in the room, and whether all other baby furniture will fit around it. As for comfort, make sure the cot is easy to reach in and out of when holding baby. There’s enough to worry about with kids, without adding back problems into the mix.
Buying Baby Cots
Once all other safety checks have been ticked off the list – no lead paint, no sharp bits, locks on the wheels, handy teething strips on the wooden edges of the cot – it’s time to start thinking about looks. Choosing a baby cot couldn’t be easier at eBay. Featuring a great range of cots, eBay is the place to compare all the various options and find popular brands, such as Bebe Care, Boori, Grotime and Love N Care. Looking for a white baby cot? Look no further!