thread: Cots - Fixed side rail vs Adjustable side rail

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    112

    Cots - Fixed side rail vs Adjustable side rail

    Hi All

    Can someone clarify what the benefits of a fixed side rail on cots are. I can't really see any, yet the cots that I like ALL have fixed side rails!!

    TIA

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    In the poor house...
    1,565

    My cot has a drop down side. I personally wouldnt be able to have a fixed side cause i am too short to reach over. I would be dropping the baby in !

    Sorry i am not any help but i cant see the benefits of a fixed side.

    Good luck in your search.

    xx

  3. #3
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    I'm the same with chickybabe, way too short to have a fixed cot side. I can't really see any benefit to a fixed cot side to be honest. If you are tall enough I suppose it wouldn't matter We have an adjustable base too, which has been REALLY handy!

    I only found adjustable side cots, where have you been looking?

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    112

    Thanks ladies. I thought it was just me, but I really don't understand the theory of the 'fixed side rail' cot

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    North Northcote
    8,065

    they are there to break your back .

    we used to have a drop-side cot, but DD somehow managed to break it, so we went out and bought another cot and didnt really think about the fixed/drop sides...and ended up with a fixed. it can be pretty painful and i cant imagine how it would be when we have another new baby and your stomach and back muscles have gone to the cleaners; or if you have had a c/s and that kind of movement would be the pits. i am *concerned*...

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    Clare!


    I have a drop down, and it doesn't drop down far enough for me even! lol
    Im a shorty and we actually had to drill holes to drop the base of the cot even further than the lowest setting, because my DD can climb out of her cot...so even with the drop down putting her down without waking her can sometimes be difficult...Having MASSIVE boobs that get in the way doesnt help either...

    All for the drop down sides here!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    8,369

    I liked my fixed-side cot.

    For one, DS can drop down the side of my mum's drop-down cot (after just a couple of weeks in it age just under 2!).

    Also, he likes pulling himself up on the side. I like sitting on the fixed rail as I lean over and sing DS to sleep. Sure it's easier now he's in a bed but he's not about to fall out of bed as much now. I also liked the fact that it could double as a playpen if I needed it to.

    THB, moving the rail up and down on my mum's cot annoyed me so I left it up all the time. Too much bother to move down when you have a baby in your arms asleep.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Taking a ride on my grdonkey :D
    2,716

    Nooo, I hate the cots with the drop-down side!! The little metal things that hold it in place always clack when you put it back up - your worst nightmare when you've just spent forever getting bub to sleep, only to have them startle and begin screaming again because the noise of the side rail being put back up has woken them!
    FIL bought us a drop-side cot for DD and once that happened a couple of times, she went back into her port-a-cot and hasn't come back out. The wooden cot is now out in the shed gathering dust and will probably wind up at Vinnie's... fixed side all the way for me.

  9. #9
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    LOL Donna, we learnt very quickly how to put the side up without making a sound, but that is a downside of the dropdown.
    Soulful, If you can find a quiet lock one, that'd be handy!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    Mine is silent as - it doesnt have metal rods or anything...;P

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    112

    Ladies - thank you - you all raise some interesting points. I had not even thought about the noise that the adjustable rail would make!

    In terms of the fixed rail - how much difficulty do you have getting your little on in and out? I'm quite a shortie, so that's one of the offputting things for me.