Cots Advice

Bedside cot, Moses basket, gliding crib or cotbed? The array of options when buying baby's first bed can be baffling. Buying a cot is an expensive outlay and something that it is important to get right.

There are many factors to consider and, to help you make the correct decision for you and your lifestyle, Vicky Morley, Creative Director of Cosatto, offers her guide to making this important purchase. First and foremost, safety must be at the top of the bed beginner's shopping list. Babies sleep many hours a day and the sleep option you choose is the main environment for your baby when he is not being held and carried. There are many choices out there influenced by space and budget criteria, but safety must be the paramount feature. Current safety guidelines for newborns recommend putting baby in a cot in the same room as you for the first six months. The main choice made by parents at this stage is between a crib or a cot. The crib has a lifespan of up to six months or when baby is strong enough to sit up unaided. Cribs offer cocooning comfort with smooth gliding or gentle swinging options which help to lull your little one into the land of nod.

Your Choices

  • Crib - A smaller version of a cot, usually made of wood, some have a rocking, swinging, or gliding action. Easy to have by your bed, and offers a secure sleeping area for a young baby.

  • Moses Basket – Usually made of wicker and easy to move around the house. Always place in a secure Moses basket stand at night when beside your bed.

  • Cot – Can be used from birth until approx three years old. Look for features such as a single hand drop side and a choice of mattress base heights.

  • Cot Bed – Suitable from birth until approx five years old. Can come with a single hand drop side and a choice of mattress base heights. The side panels are removed to make a first bed for a growing toddler.

  • Mattresses – Choose the best you can afford. Make sure that it fits your cot securely, to give your baby a safe comfortable night’s sleep. Always use a new mattress for each new baby.

Safety Checklist

  • Current guidelines recommend putting baby in a cot in your room for the first six months (to reduce cot death risk).

  • Check baby’s mattress fits the cot bed with no gaps around the edges.

  • The gap between the bars of the cot must be a minimum of 45mm and no more than 65mm wide.

  • All nursery furniture must comply with the relevant British & European Safety Standards.

  • Make sure your cot conforms to the British Standards safety codes BS EN 716-1: & 2: 2008 for cots and BS EN 8509:2008 for junior beds.

  • Do not use duvets, quilts or pillows for babies under one year old.

  • Cot bumpers must be removed when your baby is able to get up on her hands and knees, to prevent her from climbing out.

  • Ensure the drop side is always in the up and locked position before leaving baby unattended.

Pushchairs Advice

It’s a pushchair jungle out there, let us guide you through.

So what is a 3 in 1 Combi anyroad?

3 in 1 Combis (like our me-MO and Cabi), are travel systems that do everything you need. From newborn to independent imp, little one has a sturdy companion in a combi. They adapt to your growing baby so they are great value. No need to buy separate items. From car seat carrier to pram to pushchair, you are covered by a combi. The pram body, pushchair seat and car seat are all detachable to give a neater, nippier look. Combis are duo-directional. Baby can face you for bonding eye-contact and putting the world to rights, or face outward and chat to the street. They’re great for developing communication skills.

So why do I need a stroller, buggy or pushchair. Aren’t they all the same thing?

Combis are all you need in one brilliant bundle of all round protection and transport for any age. However, lots of parents buy a stroller too. It’s a lightweight nip around one-piece folder that is handy for zipping here and there at the drop of a hat. Holidays, high street or days out, a stroller is a convenient extra when time, space or budget is tight. They can live in the car boot like a sneaky spare umbrella or in relatives houses. Some people own a few and spread the love.

All Cosatto strollers are suitable from birth so baby can rock quick and quirky quality wheels while you set about getting your magic all-encompassing combi.

Think outside the stroller

Remember to check for comfiness, cosy rating, user-friendly folding, storage options and what type of trips you’ll make. Sturdy trekking up hill and down dale or gentle pushchair pootle? Does it pass the latte test? That’s one-handed whizzing. Assess your needs.

Last but not least – does it look like an utterly cheeky chappie of poptastic yummy proportions with a cherry on top? Yes? Then it’s one of ours and you and little one will be wearing it for some time.

Your Choices

  • Recline mechanism - The important thing here is to check what age the seat issuitable from and whether it has a lie back seat for smallerbabies! If it reclines it’s great for toddlers who like to snoozeon the go!

  • Adjustable handle height - This can be a useful feature if you are much shorter than your partner! If in doubt go down to your local retailer with your other half and try it out for yourselves.

     

  • Umbrella or flat fold - These are terms that refer to HOW the pushchair folds - one way is no better than the other - it’s just personal taste. Just remember to check out the folded size and make sure it’ll fit in your car boot and is easy to put up and down on the bus. Also check that the chassis has an autolock or locking clip - it can be really annoying when a stroller keeps coming open when folded!

  • The Accessories - A word of advice – always check what accessories are included in the price! We are often mislead by what is actually included in the price. Accessories such as Cosy Toes, changing bags, comfort packs and raincovers can often add a hefty sum onto your final bill – sometimes as much as £200!!!

  • Easy Fold - Ok, so most pushchairs will claim this but the best way to see if they really are is to try it yourself. Playing with a friends or visiting your local nursery store.

Safety Checklist

Car Seat Advice

Buying a car seat for your precious little bundle can be a daunting experience. How do you know which one to choose, which fits your car correctly AND whether you can fit it properly? We'll help you along the way by telling you lots of very important stuff you need to know about car seats before you buy.

All our car seats are approved to United Nations Regulation ECE R44/04

Your Choices

  • Stage1: 0+ Infant Carrier - Rear facing, these are suitable from birth to 13Kg/29lb (around 12-15 months). Lightweight and portable, all models come with a carry handle, and some double up as a rocker.

  • Stage2: Group1, Forward Facing - The next stage on from an infant carrier seat, suitable from 9Kg/20lbs to 18Kg/40lbs (around 9 months to 4 years) with adjustable lie-back positions for naps and long journeys.

  • Stage2: Group1-2-3, High Back Booster (with integral harness) - Like forward facing car seats these are suitable from 9Kg/20lbs but will last to 36Kg/79lbs (around 11years).

Safety Checklist

  • Always check that the seat is fitted correctly and that you know how to fit it by yourself. We recommend that you visit a store and ask for fitting advice before you decide to buy. It's really important that you get a car seat that fits your car properly AND that you install it correctly - every time!

  • All children grow at different rates which is why we use weight (not age) to guide you. Remember - it's vital that your child is in the right seat for their weight. Otherwise the seat may not provide the best possible protection.

  • Don't buy a second hand car seat. You can never be sure what condition they are in or whether they have been damaged in any way.

  • The new car seat legislation says that every child must travel in the appropriate child car seat until they reach either 135cm in height or approximately 11 years old, after which they can use just an adult seat belt.

  • NEVER put a child in a passenger seat fitted with an active front airbag. Airbags are designed to protect adults but can have the opposite effect on children.

  • Keep babies in a rear facing infant carrier car seat as long as possible. They give the best protection for a smaller baby by supporting their head and neck. However, do not continue to use AFTER baby reaches the maximum weight range and can sit unaided.

  • Make sure your little one is comfy in the seat you choose otherwise they are likely to fidget and distract the driver. If possible take them along when you buy the seat to make sure they're happy and comfortable. 

  • We recommend high back booster seats in favour of standard boosters. High back boosters are designed specifically for a child's frame and so will give a much better fit than the adult seat and your little one will get the best possible protection.