Cots

Most cots have fixed side rails at heights between 90-110cm high, which means baby is lifted over the side rails, then lowered onto the mattress base for comforting and sleep.

Babies from 6 months old should sleep at the low mattress/base level of 60cm from the upper side rails. You are now lifting and lowering a heavier and stronger, developing baby, a task of increasing difficulty for at least the next 12 months.

These are physical perturbations strongly associated with back disorders. When selecting a cot, it is important to note the height of the cot rail, the sturdiness of the cot and the available foot placement space. For sustainability of the life of this equipment, it is worth looking at a cot to bed conversion.

Safety points
to remember

  1. Mandatory Design Standards aim to minimise risk of injury to a baby while unsupervised in the cot.

  2. Design Standards set the mattress/base height so that the base plus mattress will be positioned at least 50cm from the top of the side rails to limit the risk of baby climbing and falling.

  3. The cot base should have minimum 50 kg (110 lb) weight bearing capacity.

  4. The cot structure should be sturdy enough to support the carer leaning on the cot when lifting and lowering baby.

  5. Any castors should be lockable for securing cot position.

Ergonomic points to remember

It’s difficult from an ergonomic perspective to provide adequate instruction on how to limit the risk of back injury to the carer when using this equipment. Having said that, the following points may help.

  1. Ensure the cot side is no higher than waist level when you are lifting and lowering baby from and into the cot.

  2. Try to keep your trunk symmetrical when lifting and lower baby load from and into the cot. .

  3. Foot space will allow carer to brace against the side of the cot and help get closer to the point of lifting, supporting body weight when lifting and lowering baby load.

  4. Avoid prolonged torso flexion prior to sudden full upright stance. Best to step back from the cot, bend knees and slowly extend the spine into upright position before then straightening your legs.

  5. Changing sheets and bedding on these cots is also VERY difficult, use fitted base sheet and take frequent stand-up breaks.

Design standards for the cot are currently only designed for the baby’s safety and not the carer.

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