Whenever your baby is in the cot the drop side should be locked in the upper position. The drop side is designed to only be used for helping parents get their babies in and out of the cots. Drop side cots can still have two different heights.
You can keep the cot base in the higher position until your baby is getting more mobile. Look for signs of rolling and sitting up. You would then adjust the base to the lower position to avoid risk.
As your baby grows and develops they will continuously learn new skills and develop more strength. These development milestones mean that parents not only need to adjust their habits but also the environment for the baby. The cot is one of these.
However inadequate cot adjustments might result in potentially hazardous situations such as falling out of their cot or entrapment. This uncertainty can lead to constant monitoring of your baby’s movement, which can be challenging with a growing infant.
Let’s explore the best practices to help you adequately adjust your baby’s cot and help support the developments of your little one, including:
- The best furniture and safety elements to look out for
- The signs you should look out for when lowering a cot
- Considerations when lowering your babies cot
At Tasman Eco we have over 30 years of experience in producing high quality baby furniture, offering comfort for your child as they grow.
What are the Best Furniture Safety Practices for Lowering a cot?
Safety is always most important when it comes to having the right type of nursery furniture for your baby. Cots that are sold in Australia must adhere to strict Australian cot standards code of AS/NZS 2172:2013.
This particular standard address a number of cot designs and construction aspects such as:
- The size and spacing of the cot bars
- The cots stability and strength
- Should be clear of jagged edges or protrusions
- The security of locking mechanisms
When lowering your baby’s cot it’s always recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Including the mattress, which should fit snugly inside the cot frame and that all the parts are firmly attached together.
Size & Gaps
The Australian standards require the distance between the bars on a cot to be between 50-95mm. This size range stops a new born from falling through and preventing their head from becoming caught.
Keep in mind that the measurements of a cot base remain consistent when the base is lowered, so that there aren’t any additional openings that could put your baby at risk.
Shape and Design
The shape and overall design of a cot should have completely rounded and smooth edges. It is always best to examine the cot for any exposed or edges which stick out, prior to changing the height. This prevents unwanted sections sticking out or protruding elements.
What Signs You Should Look Out For When Lowering a Cot
Your baby will start developing quickly over time quite quickly, by recognising these visual changes in your child will be a key sign to start lowering the cot, which is necessary for their safety.
Here are the key things to look out for:
- When your baby is pulling up
Your baby will start pulling themselves up to a sitting position as their upper body strength increases. This happens around 6 months. The next pulling up milestone will be them pulling up to stand. This happens between the ages of 6 to 10 months of age.
When you start noticing this in your baby can pull up to sit, it means you should lower the mattress especially if you see this action where they begin to pull themselves up in the cot.
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When a baby is rolling in their sleep
Rolling usually happens around 4 months of age, and is an early indicator of increased mobility. Rolling is a prelude to more complex motions, however doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to lower the cost.
To learn more about how to deal with a rolling baby you can check out our helpful resource by looking at our blog on “Baby Rolling in Cot”
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Growth milestones
When your child grows to around 89cm or (35 inches) tall. It’s time to consider lowering the cot to its very bottom setting, by doing this will help keep your little one nice and safe in their cot.
Although each kid develops at their own rate, the height is usually reached around 18 to 24 months of age.
What Else Should I Consider when Lowering a Baby’s cot?
There are a number of additional elements to look out for when adjusting your baby’s cot and making some additions to their sleeping arrangements, including:
Removing Crib Bumpers
In the past this was a popular feature of a cot, however due to recent changes in safety due to the risk of suffocation and overheating from too much padding, we suggest removing these altogether from your baby’s crib.
Using a Safe Mattress Protector
By using a breathable mattress protector, this allows more air flow through the fibres and for the air to circulate correctly.
This is a great option especially when your baby is sleeping at different periods of the day and night. It also provides a more comfortable & deep sleep.
You should ensure that your child’s mattress protector is fitted snugly, without any loose folds or wide gaps, this can prevent any accidents
Adjust the Environment
Along with making changes to your baby’s cot, you should also consider the overall bedroom surroundings. Especially when your child becomes naturally more curious in their environment, they will want to explore.
Some key things to look out for and make adjustments accordingly to can be:
- Any hanging cords, blinds or curtains are completely out of reach.
- Removing toys or objects that may be used as a climbing aid.
- Check over the top space between the top mattress and the top of the cot side, making sure it is at least 50 cm when the cost is pulled down to its lowest point.
Choose Tasman Eco for Nursery Furniture
At Tasman Eco we are passionate about crafting furniture that is suited for every single stage of your baby’s development.
We understand that each child grows in a different way, and by doing so we’re able to focus on this, so you can focus on making a comfortable and safe sleep environment for your little one.
We have a wide collection of cots, which meet high quality standards and can be adjusted as you require. Along with an even wider selection of full nursery furniture.
Feel free to browse our online collection of premium products for your baby today.
By John Zakharia
December 18, 2024
December 18, 2024
After years of working with digital products for both startups and larger organisations, John made a shift to focus on Nursery Furniture, cot, and the family business in general. Now, as a parent himself, the opportunity to support expecting parents is what truly excites him.
