Thread: Tanya's Cradle AWR#54 pg 56

Standards for cots, cradles and other baby furniture. Important.

Cots

f

Select a cot that complies with the mandatory safety standard
based on the Australian Standard for household cots AS/NZS
2172. Look for a label or sticker that says the cot complies
with the mandatory standard. If there isn’t one, ask the
retailer. If the retailer cannot verify that it complies, do not buy
it. All cots sold, even second-hand ones, must comply with
this standard.

f

Check that bars, panels, mattress base and drop sides are
fi rmly attached.

f

Take a tape measure with you when you go shopping so you
can check the size of gaps and openings:

•

the mattress must fi t snugly to within 25 mm of sides
and ends

•

with the mattress base set in the lower position, the cot
sides or end need to be at least 500 mm higher than
the mattress

•

the spacing between the bars or panels in the cot sides and
ends needs to be between 50 mm and 95 mm—gaps wider
than 95 mm can trap a child’s head. If the bars or panels
are made from fl exible material, the maximum spacing
between the bars or panels should be less than 95 mm

•

check that there are no small holes or openings between
5 mm and 12 mm wide that small fi ngers can be caught in

•

check that there are no spaces between 30 mm and
50 mm that could trap your child’s arms or legs

•

check there are no fi ttings (including bolts, knobs and
corner posts) that might catch onto your child’s clothing

and cause distress or strangulation.

Bassinette

f

Look for a bassinette with a sturdy bottom and a wide,
stable base.

Rocking cradle

f

If you are buying a rocking cradle, make sure that it complies
with the safety requirements of the voluntary Australian
Standard AS/NZS 4385. Look for a label or sticker that says
the rocking cradle complies with this voluntary standard.
If there isn’t one, ask the retailer. If the retailer cannot verify
that it complies, ask if there is any alternative that does
comply.

f

Make sure the cradle has a permanent child-resistant locking
device to prevent the cradle from rocking while unattended.

f

Rocking cradles should have a tilt limiter to limit the angle of
tilt to no more than 10 degrees from the horizontal.

Bassinettes and rocking cradles

f

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the appropriate weight
and size of babies who can safely use the product.

f

The sides should be at least 300 mm high measured from the
top of the mattress base.

f Make sure the mattress

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/item....%94Sept+07.pdf

http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/kidshe...mattresses.pdf

looks like you have done your homework, now to get started with the practicals

Wolffie

I looked at the contact detials and found thier website.

Tanya's Cradle

http://www.dunstonedesign.com.au/Gal...ets/cradle.htm

Bird Beak's Cot

http://www.dunstonedesign.com.au/Gal...binets/cot.htm

Designs to ponder... hoping to make mine for 5-10% of the sale price. Lovely work though. Impressive.

One thing to keep in mind, Kids spend longer in cots than they do in cradles.
Cots are generally bigger and allow for kids to grow , so you get more use out of it.
Kids may only be in a cradle for a couple of months where they may spend maybe a couple of years in a cot.(longer if you tie them up.)
Just my thoughts Cheers Steven

I was thinking those exact thoughts. Pondering is half the fun.

I don't think I cna justify the expense/energy for a a few mouths... but it just looks so funky.

I'll keep pondering. It would be nice to have something usable for 18-24 months/child but be a little different to the norm.

My youngest didn't like the cot learnt to climb out of it at about 12 or 13 months. determined little bugger he was (still is four and a half years later!)

anyway for someone like him I reckon the cot sides etc should be at least a foot higher if not two

other then that nice gift idea and I agree that the cradle will hardly get used unless they have girls then it's somewhere for the dolls to sleep

I spent three months making a craddle that my boys only spent two months each in. It was very satisfying to build (reclaimed Jarrah) at the time, but for a long time now I have wanted to get rid of it, (boys are 9 and 11), but the wife insists on keeping it as a family heirloom. I guess I should have thought about the 'storage' aspect of a cradle.

Forgot to mention, always check on the size and type of mattresses for a cradle or cot. Some come in weird sizes and are not always easily replaced, if needed. I bought the cradle mattress first then built the cradle, and yes I did check on Australian standards for cradles, just to be safe.

Yeah, might go with the cot...
Better look for a plan I can base it on. How's the best way to go about the slide mech? get some built metal rails?