Cots review 2006

What to buy

• GRO-YEARS Gro-Time C25 Lara # $449
• CHILDCARE Stirling 091120-010 # $350
• IKEA Diktad 14036 # $399

# Discontinued.

What about the rest?

From November 1, 2006 all cots must comply with the current Australian Standard (AS 2172:2003) which was amended in January 2006. We believe this updated Standard is more stringent and therefore safer.

Two cots, the BERTINI and BABYHOOD models, failed to make the new requirements.

• The BERTINI failed because the distance between the mattress in its centred position and the cot sides was slightly more than the required maximum of 20 mm. This means a standard 690 mm mattress, which its instructions recommend, is a little too small for the cot. The manufacturer says it is currently addressing this issue.
• The BABYHOOD’s dropside doesn’t move up and down freely, is noisy and can be difficult to open. We tested two different samples of the same model and found the problem was consistent. This model also has decorative transfers on the outside of the cot that can be removed without the use of a tool (a choking hazard). We spoke to the manufacturer who has confirmed that due to ongoing issues with this cot it will be discontinued and replaced in October with a new model.
• The KINGPARROT*, LOVE N CARE, MALI, REGENT and SUNBURY are all fine, apart from minor problems with labelling and packaging, but they’re more expensive than the two models in the What to buy list that have similar problems. But if you like the look of them for your decor, they’re safe and should be durable.

* Update: The manufacturers of the KINGPARROT and IKEA cots have advised us that these cots have been updated since our test and they now meet the requirements of the 2003 standard.

Product profiles - the best

Models profiled here are in the What to buy listed in rank order. Prices are recommended retail as advised by manufacturers in July/August 2006.

GRO-YEARS Gro-Time C25 Lara #

Price: $449

Good points

• Passed all requirements of the Standard.
• Teething strips.
• Castors with brakes.
• Two slide buttons for dropside release.
• 5 year warranty.
• Can be converted into a junior bed.

Bad points

• The cot is quite tall, which is good for safety but could be difficult if you're not very tall yourself.
  

CHILDCARE Stirling 091120-010 #

Price: $350

Good points

• Good value for money.
• Four castors with brakes.
• Two pushbuttons for dropside release.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.
  No teething strip.
  No bed conversion kit included.
  

IKEA Diktad 14036 #

Price: $399

Good points

• Good value for money.
• Includes a conversion kit to turn the cot into a junior bed.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard*.
• Difficult to assemble.
• No teething strip.
• No dropside.
• No castors.

* Update 07/08: IKEA has advised us that the labelling of this cot was updated after our test to meet the requirements of the 2003 standard.

Profiles - the rest

BABYHOOD Sleigh SBB-137001 #

Price: $459

Good points

• Four castors with brakes.
• Single handed lift and dropside release.
• Teething strips on both sides.

Bad points

• Failed safety and durability requirements for the Standard; its dropside doesn't move up and down freely.
• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.
• No bed conversion kit included.
  

BERTINI Isabella 5707 #

Price: $540

Good points

• Single handed lift and dropside release.
• Junior bed conversion kit included.
• Teething strips on both sides.

Bad points

• Failed safety and durability requirements for the Standard; its recommended mattress size is a little too small.
• No castors.
  

KINGPARROT Ulur #

Price: $500

Good points

• Four castors with brakes.
• Single handed lift and dropside release.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.*
• No teething strip.
• No bed conversion kit included.

* Update 11/07: Boori, the manufacturer of the KINGPARROT, has since advised us that the labelling of this cot has been updated and that it now meets the requirements of the 2003 standard.

LOVE N CARE Vogue

Price: $599

Good points

• Two levers dropside release.
• Junior bed conversion kit included.
• Drawer provided underneath.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.
• No teething strip.
• No castors.
  

MALI Baby ISMF005

Price: $600

Good points

• Two pushbuttons dropside release.
• Two castors with brakes.
• Junior bed conversion kit included.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.
• No teething strip.
• It's expensive.
  

REGENT Gembrooke

Price: $500

Good points

• Single handed lift and push dropside release.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.
• Has Two castors without brakes.
• No teething strip.
• No bed conversion kit included.
  

SUNBURY Dreamtime C102

Price: $525

Good points

• Two pushbuttons for dropside release.
• Four castors with brakes.
• Teething strip.
• Junior bed conversion kit included.
• 5 year warranty.

Bad points

• Did not pass some of the information and other requirements for the Standard.
• It’s expensive.

This is a quick checklist of what to look out for when you’re buying a cot. Take a tape measure with you.

• Sturdy and durable — All components should be permanently fixed or require the use of a tool to take apart.
  
• Deep enough to stop a child falling out — The distance from the top of the mattress in the cot to the top of the lowest side when the dropside is up should be at least 500 mm with the base set in the lowest position, and at least 300 mm when it’s in the upper position. The depth from top of the mattress to the top of the dropside should be at least 150 mm when the dropside is down.
  
• The mattress fits snugly around all sides — When you choose a mattress make sure the gap between the edge of the mattress and the adjacent cot side is no more than 40 mm when the mattress is pushed to the opposite side.
  
• There are no head entrapment hazards — Any large space or opening between adjacent components must be between 50 mm and 95 mm to avoid the baby’s head getting trapped.
  
• No limb entrapment hazards — Smaller openings shouldn’t be between 30 mm and 50 mm wide.
  
• No finger entrapment hazard — Any very small space or opening between adjacent components shouldn’t be between 5 mm and 12 mm wide (unless it's at least 20 mm long), so little fingers don’t get caught.
  
• No hazardous protrusions — No components should stick out or up to snag on a child’s clothing, and all edges should be blunted, smooth and gently contoured.
  
• No footholds — There should be no bars or other structures in the cot (or even any included toys) that could by used by the child as a ledge for climbing out.
  

And for the carer:

• The dropside should be secure and smooth to operate — The dropside on the cot should be impossible for a child to open but convenient for the child’s carer to operate.
  
• The dropside doesn’t crush your feet when you open it — To clear your feet, the bottom of the dropside when it’s open should be at least 50 mm off the floor.
  

Secondhand cots

It’s generally recommended you don’t buy a secondhand cot. Secondhand and heirloom cots can be a hazard to children:

• The gaps between their bars can be too wide.
• Some have protrusions on corners that can create a strangulation hazard.
• Their catches can be too easy to undo.
• They can be painted with lead paint that children can chew on and swallow when they're teething.