Tips for shopping for a cot?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.