Babies, especially newborn babies, spend a lot of the early part of their lives sleeping. Choosing the correct bedding especially the right mattress is important for both the safety and comfort of the baby. Cot mattresses are available in many thicknesses and types so it important to consider the following as a guide to help you purchase the right mattress for your situation.
It is important that when purchasing a cot mattress for a regular cot you choose a mattress that fits into the cot with no gaps between the sides and ends of mattress. If there are gaps when the mattress is fitted in the cot this can be potentially dangerous for a baby as they can trap their hands or feet in the gap while they are sleeping.
Once you have purchased a mattress it is important that when the mattress is fitted into the cot all the plastic coverings must be removed from the cot and the mattress. Any plastics especially plastic wrapping that is loosely around the mattress or contained in the new cot is a hazard for the baby and must be removed before the baby is placed in the cot. Purpose made mattress protectors should be used instead of plastic to protect the mattress. Mattress protectors that are safe to use on mattresses in a child’s cot must fit tightly around the cot mattress to avoid situations where the baby could potentially become tangled in the protector.
Mattresses that are supplied with regular cots are quite thick and firm and have been designed especially for that type of cot. Mattresses of this type should not be used in travel cots as these mattresses can potentially trap little hands and feet between the mattress and the wall of the cot. It is important that mattresses designed for specific baby furniture are not interchanged between different cots.
Cot mattresses should not be made of materials such as memory foam or materials that become uneven when the baby lies on them. Materials that become uneven when slept on can cause problems for babies by causing them to roll onto their stomachs while sleeping or cause them to have their face pressed into the mattress which can affect breathing. This also applies to inflatable mattresses which should never be used as a cot mattress.
It is very important for both mother and baby to get a good night’s sleep. One thing that helps babies sleep through the night is quality cot bedding. Cot blankets are great for little children and can help them sleep by keeping them warm, safe and comfortable through the night.
There is a large range of cot blankets on the market and most manufacturers have cot blankets that are soft, hypoallergenic, machine washable and keep babies at a comfortable temperature. The use of a cot blanket, especially for new born babies also helps the child to identify the cot as a safe place and the familiar blanket also helps with settling the child and helping them to fall asleep quicker.
Choosing the right cot blanket for your child can make a difference to how much sleep the child gets. For young children sleep is very important in these early stages of life. New born babies on average need to have at least 15 to 20 hours each day/night so anything that can help the child feel safe, relaxed, comfortable and warm is greatly appreciated by parents.
Choosing quality cot bedding and a quality cot blanket can also help the baby to recognise the cot and their bedroom as a safe place and a place where instead of playing or eating they associate this area with sleep. The cot blanket and cot bedding that you choose can also help to establish good sleeping habits for your child as they will associate sleep with the bedding and blanket.
When shopping around for the most suitable cot blanket for your child you will find that there is essentially three types of cot blankets which are available. You will generally have the choice of fleece, cashmere or a knitted blanket each with their advantages and disadvantages.
The choice of a fleece blanket is great for the child in terms of the amount of warmth the material gives to keep the baby warm while sleeping. These cot blankets are also easy to keep clean as the fabric stands up well to machine washing.
Cashmere cot blankets are light weight but still very warm and soft. These cot blankets are great for use as a child’s bedding but these blankets are also great as a blanket while the child is out in the stroller. The cashmere cot blankets are at the expensive end of the market but due to their warmth and durability are worth spending a bit more money on.
The last of the cot blankets is the knitted blanket which in many cases has been knitted by a friend or family member or by yourself. The great thing about making or receiving a knitted cot blanket is that is can be made in any colour to match the existing decor of the baby’s room or in the colours of their (or their parents) favourite football team.
Cot bumpers are a very common baby product used in the cot to prevent the baby from injuring themselves. Cot bumpers are usually constructed of a soft padded materials which lines the borders of the mattress along the walls of the cot. Many of the bumpers on the market are high enough on the walls of the cot to stop little hands and feet from becoming caught and they are long enough to enclose the whole cot and prevent the baby’s head from contacting the sides of the cot.
The topic of cot bumper products and whether or not to use them is a widely discussed topic. Some of the prominent health authorities such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) awareness groups are recommending that parents do not use a cot bumper system especially for very young children as it places a greater risk of the child suffocating or SIDS. The other side of the argument is that cot bumper systems have come a long way from the original bumpers used in cots and are much safer due to improvements in design and materials.
One of the best Cot bumpers on the market is the ‘Stay a Sleep’ fitted cot bumper that was created by an Australian mother who saw a need for the product and produced a bumper that was not only safer but more practical to use. This cot bumper is designed to ensure the child’s safety while in the cot and also protects them from draughts and keeps dummies in the cot.
The ‘Stay a Sleep’ fitted cot bumpers are specially designed to prevent many of the hazards of traditional cot bumpers and includes the following features.
The ‘Stay a Sleep’ bumper is long enough to extend around the whole cot unlike traditional bumper designs which only cover half or three quarters of the cot. The bumper also incorporates mesh inserts which allows for ventilation around the cot while the child is sleeping.
Traditional bumpers are attached to the sides of the cot by means of ties or ribbons which can the baby can grab onto. This improved cot bumper has material wraps for attachment to the cot walls and has no loose bits or ties that the baby can reach.
The ‘Stay a Sleep’ cot bumper is one of the best on the market and this brand fits all Australian Standard size cots and comes with a money back guarantee.
Babies spent a lot of the time sleeping especially in the early part of their life. Choosing the right cot bedding is essential for babies both for their safety, warmth and comfort. There are 1000s of brands and types of cot bedding on the market and choosing the right ones for your baby simply depends on your needs and your babies needs. Cot bedding includes things such as the mattress, sheets and blankets that keep the baby warm and comfortable so that they can get a good night’s sleep.
When choosing a mattress for the baby’s cot there are several things that you need to consider to ensure the baby is kept safe and comfortable. The mattress needs to fit the cot so that there is no gaps between the edge of the mattress and the sides of the cot. By ensuring that the mattress fits in the cot properly will reduce the risk of the child becoming trapped between the mattress and the sides of the cot or having a leg or arm trapped in this way. Mattress should be relatively firm but still provide maximum comfort for the child.
Apart from the choice of mattresses, cot bedding also includes sheets and blankets in the cot as well as the clothes that the child wears to bed. For babies that are new born or very young it is recommended that sheets and blankets be kept at a minimum and the baby should be placed in a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag should have a fitted neck and arm holes so that the baby cannot slip inside the sleeping bag. The child should have enough clothing on under the baby sleeping bag so that other bedding such as blankets may not be needed.
When using blankets and sheets in the cot as bedding there are some considerations that should be noted. Any bedding such as blankets and sheets used should be light weight and tucked in firmly. The baby should be wearing enough clothing to keep them warm as heavy donnas or thick blankets are not recommended as the child may overheat. Any pillows or soft toys should be removed from the cot as babies do not need a pillow to sleep comfortably.
When choosing cot bedding for your child it is also important to check the fire rating of the garments and the bedding. This information should be on the tag of the item. The last thing to decide is what colours and designs do you want on the cot bedding. Some people like to choose a colour theme or purchase cot bedding with a favourite character or a cute design.
