When it comes to buying a cotbed you will quickly realise that there are a wide range of options for you to choose from. John Lewis stocks over a dozen cotbeds and it is important that you buy the one that is perfect for you by taking the various factors into consideration. Cotbeds are a piece of nursery furniture that can get plenty of use as your child can sleep in one from birth up to aged five so it is well worth buying one that will stand the test of time. From safety to style, there are a number of points that you should consider before making your decision and purchasing a new cotbed.
The cotbeds stocked by John Lewis start at prices of less than £100, with premium brands and models costing up to £300. Those cotbeds that are more expensive are generally better quality and will stand up to the rigours of use well, and the build quality that comes with the more expensive cotbeds is worth taking into account. The first thing that strikes you when looking through their range of cotbeds is the wide range of styles that are available, from traditional wooden cotbeds to more contemporary ones such as the bloom Alma Cots that come in a variety of striking colours including Gala Green and Harvest Orange. So depending on the bedroom in which you are planning to put your cotbed, a brightly coloured piece of nursery furniture may or may not fit in well.
When you are doing some much-needed research on the John Lewis website you will soon realise that choosing a cotbed to purchase may not be as simple and straightforward as you first thought. One choice you will have to make is whether you want to buy a cotbed with fixed sides or dropsides which is largely dependent on your health. If you have back problems you may want to consider a cotbed with dropsides that can be lowered to make it easier to put your child in the cot, with latches making the operation of it simple yet they cannot be reached by your child so they are still secure in there. Many cotbeds also come with teething rails that are made of non-toxic plastic to protect your child’s gums whilst they are teething as well as preventing the cotbed from being damaged.
As the cotbed that you buy could be used for a number of years then an adjustable-height mattress base is a useful feature and most cotbeds have a couple of base positions. It is worth noting that when the mattress is set at its lowest position that the sides of the cotbed should be at least 50cm above the mattress. The comfort of the cotbed for your child is largely dependent upon the mattress that you buy to fit in the cotbed. It is essential that all mattresses properly fit into the frame of the structure, with a 4cm gap to the sides the absolute maximum. A constant air flow should also be allowed around your child’s head, whilst purchasing a mattress that can be easily wiped is also a good idea. These are the various options that you should take into account when buying a new cotbed to make sure that you spend your money wisely.