04.Portable cots
Going out visiting? Baby staying with your Mum for the day? Going on holidays with baby in tow? There are plenty of times when a portable cot can come in handy.
They're light enough to carry and can fit in the car boot when folded. All-in-all they're a handy addition to your baby arsenal, but no substitute for a regular cot for everyday use because they're not as durable.
New standard
While the Australian standard for portable cots is currently only voluntary, a new mandatory safety standard will take effect from 1 March 2009. It includes requirements for ensuring the folding mechanism is secure, that there are no gaps that could trap a child’s head, the mattress is safe and that the cot has adequate warnings about safe use.
It’s a basic set of safety tests based on the voluntary Australian standard for folding cots, AS/NZS 2195:1999. The full standard includes many other tests, such as for finger and limb traps; sharp edges and points; and strength of construction.
We welcome the introduction of the mandatory safety standard, but it is a minimum standard. Portable cots should ideally comply with the full voluntary Australian standard.
Here's what to look for
- Don't use a portable cot if your child weighs more than 15kg.
- Don't put additional mattresses in the cot.
- Inside surfaces should be free of bumps, ledges and protruding parts so children can’t hit their heads, get their clothing snagged or use them as a foothold to climb out of the cot.
- Look for possible entrapment areas, where children can trap limbs, heads or fingers.
- There should be no sharp edges or points where a child could injure itself.
- The mattress should be firm enough and fit snugly without gaps on any side.
- Remove all toys from the cot when the child is sleeping.
- The rails should have two locking mechanisms to prevent accidental collapse and closure. Check these before placing your child in the cot.
- The cot floor shouldn’t sag. Press down on the base to check this.
For in-depth information regarding safety, what to look for, what to buy and detailed profiles, check out our article on Portable cots.