Tips for shopping for a cot?
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Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32776
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Topic: Tips for shopping for a cot?
Posted By: Hunnybunny
Subject: Tips for shopping for a cot?
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 9:47am
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So I was suprised to find there wasn't already a thread about this...
Ok, so I know there are NZ/Aus standards that each cot sold are supposed to meet, but it seems every single cot sold has a sticker saying it meets these standards? So really, this shouldn't be something we even need to really look for? How do we know for sure it actually meets the standards, even if it says it does? Do they have to have some safety inspection or something? Obviously a lot of it is down to personal choice, but what else should we look for? So far we know we want one with adjustable heights-eg bassinett height and cot. We aren't worried about it going to a toddler bed at all as we most likely wouldn't bother with this... What were things you found handy/annoying about the cot you have? And what sort of cot is it? If there is something you could change about your cot, what would it be? |
Replies:
Posted By: E&L+1
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 10:13am
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We have borrowed our cot but the only thing that annoys me is when DP doesn't drop the side when he gets Esme up and I go to put her to bed and have to put her down so I can get the side down as it needs 2 hands.
Long story short I'd get a one handed drop system.  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 10:36am
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In South africa we bought a campcot. It has a bassinette option. Have a vibrating unit with music and a nightlight. It has an attachment basket thing that you can put in everything you need. It has a playgym thing that you can take out and put on the floor.
I am glad we didnt go for something bulky as both kids ended up sleeping with us. I think I should just sell the thing sometime as it just sits there. (even if the kids enjoyed the music and the playgym part. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 10:37am
i agree with this 100% -------------  
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EsmesMum wrote:Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 10:46am
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That's something I've been looking for as I'm short and find it impossible to operate the sides with one hand. For me getting one that's not too high, some of the sides are up to chest height on me. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 1:44pm
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What were things you found handy/annoying about the cot you have? And what sort of cot is it?
If there is something you could change about your cot, what would it be? Ours was a $300 approx one from baby factory and there is nothing wrong with it and nothing I'd change about it. It has the 2 levels which is good. It has a drop down side that can be done one handed (fleur I'm a short ass too and can manage fine with mine) and am soooo glad I didn't pay the earth for one. |
Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 3:28pm
| i 3rd or 4th the one hand drop side. It is so handy especially if you are holding a sleeping baby. I love it now if i am carrying both kids as i can still drop henry's side and put him in and then drop kiara's cot and put her in. |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 3:50pm
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Ours is genesis from baby factory it was a more expensive one but i liked the look of it. You can drop the side of the cot with your leg (took some practice to perfect but its just a lift and push against mechanism) has the 2 levels and you can take the side off the cot which was good since josh decided at 15mths he could climb out yet looked way to small to be in a big kid bed. I like that none of the sides are solid so you can see into it from all angles and its got plenty of room under it to store stuff (i have josh's cars under his) -------------   
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Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 6:13pm
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Ours was about $300 I think, it does have a one handed drop thing, but its sh*te - so hard to do, cannot be done quietly crashes up, I would like to have spent more and spent more time testing the side up down thing - didn't know this was something I should have looked for.
Thats really the only thing, we can take the edges off ours, not an issue yet, not sure if we'll go to bed or take sides off, but that seems less of an issue than getting the side up and down. ------------- 
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Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 8:53pm
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I have heard that some cots on trademe (New) don't have the current nz/aus standards. Cot accidents do happen so make sure you do get a safety approved cot.
One handed drop definately. Multi levels so that new baby and sore mummy don't have to bend so far. Nothing like full boobies and a cot rail if you aren't using a bassinette in those first few months. Also I liked the idea of a cot with a sliding changing mat on it. Not sure if you can get them in NZ but it eliminates the need for a changing table which would be handy. My friend had one and a small baby room in the states and it was just so smart. |
Posted By: KiwiL
Date Posted: 11 April 2010 at 10:33pm
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This is what the NZ Consumer's Institute says about Cots:
There's a compulsory standard for cots: AS/NZS 2172:2003. All cots sold here must comply with it. Under the standard, the cot must have no gaps or protrusions that could trap a child or catch its clothing and no sharp edges. The sides must be high enough to stop a small child climbing out and there should be no footholds. Anyone listing a cot for sale on Trade Me must confirm they've read the guide to the Product Safety Standard for cots and that their cot complies. There are heavy fines for selling a non-complying cot. What to look for * The New Zealand standard "S" mark or the Australian "tick" mark. * Check that there are no broken or wobbly bars. * All bolts and screws should be firmly in place and not protruding. * The corner posts should not stick up more than 5mm. * Make sure that the mattress fits the cot snugly and that there are no gaps which would allow a child to become trapped beneath it. |
Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 12 April 2010 at 12:28am
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When we had DS 7 years ago we went all out and bought a expensive one only to sell it as we weren't too sure if we were going to have another one as we found out at 22 months he had ASD. DD came along 5.5 years later and bought a sleigh cot for 50% off at Farmers and there is nothing wrong with it. |
Posted By: Hunnybunny
Date Posted: 12 April 2010 at 10:07am
Looks like we are going with a Genesis cot from baby factory  They are good prices and DH both like them...
Anything in particular anyone likes/doesn't like about this cot? WRX and Josh you said you have one? |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 12 April 2010 at 11:31am
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I have no complaints with our cot id say swing past and have a play with it on the way to the meet up but i dont have the side on it at the moment so you wont be able to play with how easy it lifts and drops. My sis works at baby factory down here so i can ask her if there are any specials coming up -------------
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 12 April 2010 at 3:38pm
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We have the genesis arizona from baby factory and love it. I love the one handed drop side. Genesis cots are american size, so you need to make sure that the mattress is also american sized, and any cot sheets so they will fit. Also, if you are a member of parent centre (or intend to be) you can get 20% off at baby factory on a specified saturday every second month. ------------- 
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