To help consumers to select the right portable cot it is necessary to consider the features that make up portable cots and decide which features you need for your specific circumstance.  They have the following features which need to be considered.

The ease at which a portable cot can be erected and folded up is one of the most important features of these types of cots.  When families are travelling long distances they do not want to be trying to build or put together complicated cots at the end of a long day.  Many have fold and unfold mechanisms which can be easy to use once you have practised a few times.

The size of the portable cot is also something that should be considered especially if you are relatively small in stature.  Some of the portable cots on the market have bags that incorporate wheels to make them easy to move around and load on transport such as trains, buses and aeroplanes.

The versatility of the portable cot is also important as many of the cots on the market include great extra features such as storage bags, playpens and changing stations.  This provides you with a few more luxuries that you may not have considered packing.

Portable cots need also to be comfortable both for the baby to sleep in and also comfortable for the parent to use.  Many of the portable cots have very comfortable inflatable mattresses or soft thinner mattresses which can be folded up with the cot.  Having a portable cot that folds up small and packs away easily is great but you need to make sure that your baby will find the cot comfortable and will sleep soundly and stay asleep when in the portable cot.

The first thing that need to be considered when buying cot furniture is are you going to buy a piece of furniture that has one or several uses.  Many manufacturers have developed cot furniture that changes as the child grows up.  These cots have features such as converting from a cot to a child’s bed and then to a sofa or double bed.  These cots may cost more initially when purchased but actually save money as subsequent furniture such as a bed and other children’s furniture does not need to be purchased.

The next thing that needs to be considered after you have chosen the type of cot furniture for the nursery is the type of material and the finish of the cot.  There is loads of different finishes and colours of cot furniture which makes the job of mixing and matching with other furniture a lot easier.  Cot furniture is available in a large range of wood finishes such as oak, pine and maple and each of these wood types can be stained to different finishes.  For those people who like a bit of colour cot furniture is also available painted in a large range of colours to match any colour scheme chosen for the nursery.

The next thing to consider is the amount of money you are going to spend on the cot furniture.  Cots that are available new from retailers have all passed the Australian Standard for safety so even the cots that are at the cheaper end of the market have passed the required standard.  Much of the difference in prices from the cheaper to the more expensive range of cot furniture is related to the higher grade of workmanship as well as the addition of more features or options.

The last thing to consider when deciding on cot furniture is what extra features or options you wish to have included with the cot.  Features such as easy operation, storage space for baby stuff and options such as a baby changing table are some of the extras that are available with different brands of cot furniture.

Many of the top brands of baby cots, such as Stokke and  Boori, use wood as the main material in their cot construction.  There are many advantages to using wood for construction of baby cots, cribs and beds which is why it is so widely used.  Wooden cots have many advantages over cots constructed of other materials such as durability, wood is easy to work with, lasts a long time, wood is timeless in terms of design, can have a finish to suit most decor and it is easy to keep clean and maintain.

Wooden cots are very popular as many of the companies that produce  these cots use quality wood which increases the durability of the cot.  Different types of wood  used in baby cots includes pine, ash, maple and oak.  Many wooden cots are designed and constructed so well that you will get many happy years use out of the furniture.

Another reason that wood is used in the construction of baby cots is that wood is easy to work with which makes it easy and cost effective for use in baby furniture.  Wood used in the construction of baby cots can easily be cut to size and shaped into various designs and finishes.  Some companies choose to use hard wood varieties to guarantee longevity of the cot.

The use of wood for cot design and construction provides the consumer with a piece of furniture that is timeless in terms of design trends in furniture.  Unlike other finishes, colours and designs of furniture the polished wood finish does not go out of fashion.  The other advantage of wood when used in children’s furniture such as cots is that there are many finishes of wood to choose from so furniture can be matched to the decor or other furniture quite easily.

Wooden cot designs are also easy to care for and maintain.  After a while when baby furniture starts to look a little tired after continual use it is possible to give the wooden cot a new lease on life by simply sanding back the wood and either staining or painting the cot.

Consumers are demanding more from furniture that they purchase for their children.  This has resulted in many furniture manufacturers, such as Stokke, developing furniture that can be changed or transformed as the child grows.  An example of this fresh new way of looking at children’s furniture is the Stokke Sleepi model which combines an elegant design with the practicality demanded by parents with children.

The Stokke Sleepi cot is unique cot that has many features which add to the safety, comfort and practicality of the cot.  The Stokke Sleepi features a wide range of configurations, oval design, mini bassinet form, full size crib and toddler bed, easy adjustment, high level of safety, high quality of materials used in construction, wide range of accessories, timeless design and the ability to change the cot into a child’s or a sofa.

The first thing that people notice about the Stokke cot is the oval shape.  This design creates a spacious sleeping area for your child which is larger than some traditional rectangle shaped cots.  The design also promotes a much less interrupted sleep as there are no corners for the child to roll into.

The Mini bassinet is one of the several configurations that the Stokke cot can be made into.  This bassinet is smaller than the area of a traditional cot and provides a more comfortable area for smaller babies that a large cot would too big.

The Stokke cot is also able to be transformed into a full size crib and toddler bed.  As your child grows the Stokke cot is able to be changed and grows with the child from a bassinet to a crib and then to a toddlers bed.  By providing furniture that grows with the child there is a significant saving of money as less money is spent on additional furniture as your child grows.

The Stokke Sleepi cot also has features such as easy adjustment, high level of safety and is made with a sturdy and solid design.  When purchasing a Stokke cot it is important that the cot be made to last with solid construction and design as the furniture needs to last a child from when are a baby through to a grown child.  Stokke cots are a great investment for parents as this company has provided an excellent product that is able to be used throughout a child’s life.

When buying a travel cot it is important to consider and check the following things to ensure that you purchase a travel cot that is safe, comfortable for the baby and is suitable for your needs.  There are hundreds of different types of travel cots on the market so it is important to consider the following before purchasing your own travel cot.

Travel cots are designed in such a way that they have a mechanism which is designed to lock into place once the cot is assembled.  It is important that this locking mechanism has a safety to stop the cot mechanism from disengaging and collapsing while the child is in the travel cot.

The unpacked cot should be fairly sturdy in construction and withstand applied pressure without buckling.  The base of the cot should not sag or be able to be pushed down to the floor when the cot is set up.  It is important that the base does not sag as this may cause the baby to roll onto their stomach which should be avoided.  Most brands of travel cots have a weight limit of 15kg which means that large children over this weight should not be placed in a travel cot.

Once the cot is set up it is important that there are no gaps between the walls of the travel cot and the mattress.  This is important for the baby’s safety as gaps around the edges of the mattress can trap hands, feet or even the baby’s head.

The mattress provided should be the only mattress that is used in the travel cot.  The mattresses that are included with the travel cot are thinner than the mattresses provided with regular cots so these mattresses cannot be interchanged from a regular cot to a travel cot.

The construction of the travel cot should also be considered before deciding to purchase one. The  edges of the cot should be smooth with no sharp protrusions and there should be nothing that can come loose and cause a choking hazard.  In addition to this the travel cot should only be used and set up how described in the enclosed set up instructions to ensure the baby’s comfort and safety.

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.

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.

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.

The Boori company has two main lines of children’s cots which includes the 3 in 1 cot and the 4 Ever 4 in 1 Cot Double Bed.  Both lines of Boori cots have great features that can transform the furniture to the next stage of bedding as the child grows.  These cots have some excellent features which are as follows.

The first line of Boori cots is the 3 in 1 Junior bed sofa series which includes 5 different designs.  Each of the cots is able to be transformed from a cot to a child’s bed and also a sofa allowing the furniture to be changed as the child grows.  The models include the following cots.

The New Madison Cot 3 in 1  is a wooden cot which is made from Araucaria plantation timber and meets all the requirements of Australia and New Zealand.  The cot features the safe track drop panel system making it safe to operate when in the cot form.  This cot is able to be used as a baby’s cot, a child’s bed and a sofa and comes with a 5 year warranty and sturdy construction.  The cot is available in several colours from white to walnut and can be ordered in other wood types such as oak and teak.  The 4 other cots in this line of Boori cots are similar in terms of the technical features and the way that they are able to be transformed from a cot to a bed and then a sofa but offer different finishes and styling’s.  The Rosedale model has a traditional look where the sleigh model has curves and a more modern look.  The five types of cots in this line have so much variety that even the fussiest person will find a cot to suit their place.

The second line of cots has one model which is the 4 Ever 4 in 1 cot which converts from a cot to a bed to a double bed and then a sofa.  As with the 3 in 1 range this cot also passes the Australian standard in the cot form.  The 4 in one features of this furniture means that this furniture is built to last and as your child grows the Boori cot will change and grow with them.  As with the other range of cots this model is available in a range of colours and the design is timeless.

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.