Crib, bedside crib or cot?

A crib for the first months

A crib is small and stands close to your bed. Cribs fall under the European standard EN 1130, which says they are meant for a baby who cannot yet sit up, kneel or pull themselves up unaided.

The manufacturer also gives a maximum age or weight. A crib is often usable for about five to six months; check what each model says.

A bedside crib next to your bed

A bedside crib is a crib with a side that opens, so it stands against your own bed. It falls under the same standard and is fixed to your bed with straps. Check that its height suits your mattress.

A cot for afterwards

A cot is bigger and lasts until your child moves to a toddler bed. Common mattress sizes are 60 × 120 cm and 70 × 140 cm. Cots fall under the standard EN 716, which among other things sets the gap between the bars.

Most cots have a base you can set at different heights. High is easy for lifting; as soon as your child can stand, you lower it. Some models later become a toddler bench or bed.

The mattress

The mattress must fit exactly, with no gaps along the edge. Look at the inner size of the crib or cot and buy the mattress in that size.

Safe sleep

How your baby sleeps most safely is a question for your health visitor or consultatiebureau (Netherlands), or Kind en Gezin and ONE (Belgium). LeBaby compares products and gives no health advice.