Baby bed options for your family — what to look for in a cot
Along with a million and one other things, making sure your little ones are as snug as a bug at bedtime is high on the to-do list for any new parent.
We know that when it comes to finding everything you need for your kids’ bedroom, things can get overwhelming — and fast. The internet is awash with tips, tricks and a helluva lot of options. But we’re here to break it down because the top priority is for bubs to have somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep.
Let’s take a look at exactly what you need to be looking for when choosing the best cot or cot bed for your baby. We’ll cover everything from what to look for in a cot and savvy safety pointers for your baby bed to when you need to think about moving your little ones out of the cot and into a big kids’ bed.
5 questions to consider when looking for a new cot
🍼 Does the cot meet Australian safety standards?
🍼 Does the mattress fit properly?
🍼 Is it made from durable, quality materials?
🍼 Does it have safety rails?
🍼 Can it be assembled easily?
What safety features should a cot have?
Keeping bubs safe is top of every parent’s mind.
Firstly, always look for a cot that meets Australian safety certification standards. Not every cot will, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s details. The cot needs to be deep enough to prevent your little tot from falling out, and it needs to do away with anything the cheeky little monkey could use to climb out.
Secondly, it’s important to have a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet. You also want to avoid things like soft toys, hanging mobiles, pillows and cot bumpers, as they’re all possible sources of airway obstruction for our little bubs. Look for a cot made with premium, solid materials and no sharp edges to help keep little heads safe from knocks and bumps.
How to choose the right mattress
When it comes to choosing a mattress for your cot, you need one that fits snuggly inside the frame. As there is no standard cot size in Australia, it’s important to match your cot mattress with your cot. Make sure there’s no more than a 2cm gap between the edge of the mattress and the side of the cot when the mattress is centred. Avoid gaps, lumps or bumps in the mattress that could pose a safety issue for very small babies. And look out for certifications to ensure the mattress complies with Australian standards.
Should you buy a cot and mattress together?
There isn’t a hard-and-fast rule when it comes to buying your cot and mattress together. But bear in mind that you want the mattress to fit snuggly inside the cot. If you go for a cot and mattress package, you can be sure they’ll be the perfect fit.
Cots and baby beds, built to last
At Koala, we’re all about sleeping easy. And when we say sleeping easy, we mean for everyone. That’s why we’ve designed our Joey range. All our products are certified and AFRDI tested to bring you safe and durable furniture options for your baby’s room. Plus, our Joey Cot and mattress range is Red Nose Australia Safer Sleep criteria. Schweeet dreams for you and for bubs!
Our Kookaburra Cot and Joey Kids Bed are built to last, designed to take you through the newborn stage into toddler territory and right up to the tweenage years.
“We wanted them to be handed down and used for more than one child,” says Koala Design Manager Adam Harrigan. “Made using sustainable, FSC-certified timber, our cots and beds are designed with soft curves and details. You won’t need to stress about bubs bumping into any sharp edges.”
Also, say hello to stress-free, no-tool assembly and adjustability. “They can be assembled and their height adjusted without using a single tool,” Adam explains. “We really wanted to minimise the stress of putting them together and make it as easy as possible!”
When should you move your baby out of their cot?
If your little ones start climbing out of their cots, it’s time for a change. For most kids, this happens between two and three years old. It can take a little getting used to, but a toddler bed is a great stepping stone.
Lower to the ground than a regular single bed, those little legs can climb in and out without scaling the side of a cot. Less fun for them, maybe, but much better for your nerves! Oh and luckily as part of the Joey range, we’ve created a toddler bed too. With adjustable legs and removable guard rails, this beauty will see them through to their teenage years.
Cots and toddler beds from Joey
From baby cots to transitioning to a toddler bed, our Joey range has everything you need to keep your babies and your big kids safe and cozy, ready for a good night’s sleep (fingers crossed, eh?).
Still not sure exactly what you need? Our 120-night trial means you can give things a try. And if they don’t quite work, just let us know, and we’ll arrange a return and refund. That’s just how we roll at Koala.
