More Details
*A wide choice of beds, cots and portable cots is available for babies and children. Some basic principles may be applied when considering the choice to be made. It is important to note that a range of clear guidelines is available which indicate the safe dimensions for a cot (to avoid injury to the baby / child), also in the way the cot is made up to minimise the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
*Contact Kidsafe for further information about these guidelines as they provide a basis when choosing a bassinet, cot, portable cot or bed for a baby.
* Contact Choice magazine and the Independent Living Centre NSW for further information.
Features
Base and frame:
. The bed / cot may have a steel or wooden construction. The base may be wooden slats, wooden with ventilation holes, weld mesh or sheet steel with air holes.
. Cot / Bed sizes: Cots are generally of a similar size, however variations are available.
. Bassinets / cradles are also available for the newborn infant.
. Many cots are available with a height adjustable base. The base can be set higher, when the baby is very small (unable to roll or sit up). The base is then lowered once the baby is older and the higher level is no
longer safe. This allows the baby to be in easier reach for the parents when they are being placed in / removed from the cot frequently.
. Single bed size is standard, however training style beds are available that are lower to the ground and shorter in length. Cots, which can later convert into a small bed, are also available.
Choice of mattress:
. A choice of inner spring or foam mattress is commonly available (ensure mattress is correctly fitting as a range of sizes are available). Consider suitability of the mattress cover (water proof, fire retardant, 2 - 3 way stretch, breathable). Note that non standard mattress may not suit standard linen sizes.
Castors:
. Bassinets will usually have four castors. Cots usually have four legs. However castors fitted to two legs will enable the cot to be moved if required. Where 4 castors are supplied, ensure 2 have locks, to ensure the stability of the cot. Portable cots will generally have 2 or 4 castors. Determine ease of moving the cot, if required. This may be difficult over thick pile carpets or in confined spaces such as a bedroom.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
For a parent with a disability / back pain - Cots
- Ensure the height of the mattress is suitable for lowering the child on to. A height adjustable cot base may be suitable. Initially with a newborn baby a bassinet may be helpful as it is higher. However safety issues (such as guidelines for the reduction of the incidence of SIDS)
need to be considered. Also, where other small toddlers are in the house, ensure the bassinet is stable or out of reach, as they can be tipped.
- To allow easier access to the cot mattress (for making up the cot and placing the child in to sleep), a side opening cot (rather than four rigid sides) will be advantageous. A side which drops straight down to floor level (rather that lifts up, out and down) may be easier to operate.
Swing open doors will allow greater access to the mattress for a parent who is wheelchair dependant.
- Portable cots are heavy to carry, can be difficult / awkward to assemble and disassemble and have a base which is near to ground level. This makes the lowering of the baby / child into them difficult. A portable cot with a least two castors will allow it to be wheeled along, rather than carried and more easily manoeuvred once assembled.
- For one handed use, ensure the cot side is able to be opened or dropped down with the use of one hand (many require two catches or levers to be manipulated at the same time - child lock). It may not be possible to operate the cot side opening and hold the baby - a safe
place to place the baby whilst opening the cot may need to be considered.
For a parent with a disability / back pain - Beds
A bed which is low to the ground may enable the mobile child to independently get in and out of bed. They may also be able to 'make' their own bed. However, should the parent be required to place them into bed (after the child has fallen asleep) or make the bed - this may
be more difficult bending down further than a standard bed.
For a child with a disability - Beds
- Consider the need for a pressure reduction mattress or mattress overlay.
- Is there enough access under the bed for a mobile hoist if required?
- If a mobile hoist is required, can it lift high enough and reach far enough over the bed to lay the child in a comfortable position?
- Ease of attaching or provision of bed rails, if required. Installation of bed rails may provide a greater challenge to a child to climb over the top of the rails. They will also inhibit the child from being able to get out of bed independently, should that be desirable (eg. to go to the toilet independently at night).
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