7 Baby Cot Accessories and Toys – And Why You Might Want Them
Babies spend much of their early lives in their cots, both asleep and awake. You can make that space more interesting for them by adding a few toys or accessories. However, not all accessories are safe to get for your cot, and all toys should be removed when your baby is sleeping. Finding the right cot accessories can be pretty difficult for new parents. In this article, we’ve picked out ten accessories and toys we found to be the most useful and fun for your baby’s cot.
Cot accessories help keep your baby’s cot clean and safe and your space organized. Toys help your little ones build their imaginations and creativity, develop motor and cognitive skills, and are a source of fun and entertainment. Here’s our list of the 10 baby cot accessories and toys and why you might want them:
- Cot bed mattress protectors
- Cot bed rail covers
- Portable toys for cot beds
- Arch stroller toys
- Cot canopies to protect against mosquitoes
- Nursery decorations
- Musical mobiles
Related Articles:
- How to make a cot bed more cozy and smaller
- When should you move your baby from a cot bed to a toddler bed?
- What cot bed bedding do you need for a newborn?
Baby Cot Mattress Protectors Help You Keep The Cot Bed Mattress Clean, So You Don’t Have to Deep-Clean
A mattress protector might be the most important accessory you can get for your cot. A lot of people don’t really know why mattress protectors are so useful, so here are the two most important reasons to get a baby cot mattress protector.
Cot mattress protectors keep the mattress clean – Babies, like all other human beings, perspire at night and produce oil from their skin. It’s also not at all uncommon that babies wet their beds at night and produce “wet spots” on the bed.
All of these can lead to soaked sheets that go through to the mattress. Once a small stain gets into your mattress, it’s almost impossible to get it out. A mattress protector prevents any fluids from getting into the mattress and can it be taken off and washed.
It’s good to have two mattress protectors in case you put one in the washer.
Mattress protectors help the mattress stay in good overall condition - Perspiration and body fluids can easily wear down the mattress, shortening its longevity. Even if only a little moisture gets through, it easily adds up when it’s used every night. If you don’t have a mattress protector you will likely have to replace your mattress sooner than you expect.
Mattress protectors are thin, they won’t affect the feeling of the mattress, and are waterproof. They are a very useful accessory to get for your baby’s cot.
Cot Rail Covers Are a Great Idea to Protect Your Baby’s Cot From Getting Teething Marks or Scratches
Cot rail covers are one of the best and most useful crib accessories available on the market, because they prevent a great deal of wear and tear on your cot. Once babies enter their teething period, cot railings are one of their favorite teethers. This may result in faint scratches towards the upper sides of the railings. These scratches are not only ugly, they can be dangerous to your baby as well since some baby cots use toxic materials or paints.
To avoid these scars and protect your baby’s health from possible toxins, you should look for some economic and safe cot rail covers as soon as you get your cot. Here’s one we consider a good fit for almost any cot, the Trend Lab Waterproof CribWrap Rail Cover.
If you are considering cot bed bumpers along with your cot rail covers, be careful. Here we describe safety hazards of cot bed bumpers and safe alternatives.
Keep Your Baby Entertained With Portable Toys for Cot Beds
Portable mobile toys can be a great accessory for your baby’s cot. Plus, thanks to the universal attachment arm and the large stroller clip, they can also be attached to playpens, car seats, and strollers. And, while they’re recommended for newborns, the pleasing sounds and colors mean they can easily be used for a longer period.
Another great thing about these toys is that they are usually very easy to set up and don’t take up too much space. Here is an example of a great portable mobile toy you can get - Tiny Love Meadow Days Take Along Mobile.
Baby Spiral Stroller Toys Can Have a Perfect Blend of Different Colors Which Will Lighten Your Baby’s Room
These cot bed toys often have the perfect mix of colors to lighten up your baby’s room and cot. Baby spiral stroller toys have a variety of different characters: from birds to ladybugs. These soft toys are the perfect playthings for your baby.
Spiral stroller toys are easy to set up on your baby’s cot. Just spiral it around the bars and attach the characters with the Velcro. You can also detach the toy from the cot and fix it on a car seat or baby stroller, or hold it yourself to play with your baby.
These toys are usually made out of polyester so you don’t have to worry about hand-washing and sanitizing. They’re also safe for your baby to chew on, although it’s important that you maintain the cleanliness of the toy on a regular basis.
Keep in mind that this product isn’t good for older babies since pulling the characters from the Velcro and ruining the toys is easy.
Anyhow, check out our suggestion, the SHILOH Baby Activity Spiral.
Baby Arch Stroller Toys Helps Develop Hand-Eye Coordination
Arch stroller toys are made with non-toxic material which means they’re safe for your baby. The arch usually has a variety of animals in different colors to stimulate your babies’ vision. When you shake it, the toy makes sounds.
This accessory accommodates most of your child’s needs. Babies aging from one month to three years can use it. The toy can also be beneficial in helping improve your baby’s hand-eye coordination skills. While hanging over the cot, your baby will want to reach, pull, and hold the toy.
Furthermore, this type of toy can also be detached from the cot so you can use it in other places, like your stroller.
This toy is safe, comfortable, helps develop hand-eye coordination, and it’s a beautiful décor. Here it is - the VX-star Baby Travel Play Arch Stroller.
Mobiles Provide Stimulation and Entertainment to Newborns
From music and motion to colors and lights, mobiles make your baby’s cot a fun and colorful place when neither mom or dad are there. Some are even multi-functional and come with a remote control, so you can keep your baby entertained when you’re busy around the house.
Keep in mind, however, that mobiles are only appropriate for one to four month old babies. Once your baby grows big enough to grab the mobile it could potentially be dangerous. Don’t just throw it away though! Instead, remove the mobile from above the cot and hang it in a different location in the room out of your baby’s reach.
Check out this one and see for yourself - the Baby Mobile for Crib.
Baby Cot Canopies Are a Beautiful Addition to Your Baby’s Cot and Can Protect Them From Mosquitoes
Baby cot canopies are a must-have accessory if you live in a climate with mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry deadly diseases, and may wake your baby up at night. This canopy not only protects your baby, it also looks great! With so many colors to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the Baby Canopy Drape that suits your color scheme!
Nursery Decorations Can Help Create a Unique Décor for Your Baby
Nursery decorations are what will make your baby’s cot and room unique. With a variety of different themes, these decorations are simple and elegant. You can place them either on the cot or hang them from the ceiling.
Rotating objects can help soothe your baby to sleep and develop eye-hand coordination. This accessory provides a simple, yet unique décor, it’s eco-friendly, and it’s very simple to set up.
With that in mind, here’s the one we highly recommend - Sorrel and Fern Baby Crib Mobile Airplanes.
Musical Mobiles for Help in Strengthening Your Baby’s Eye and Hand Muscles
Musical mobiles help to keep your baby entertained. If you buy one that is plush and a wind-up, you’ll be able to safely lull your baby into sleep as it watches the animals circle above it.
This one from Wendy Bellisimo doesn’t even require batteries and it’s easy to assemble on the cot. Check it out here- Wendy Bellissimo Baby Mobile Crib Mobile Musical Mobile.
Conclusion
Searching for toys and accessories for your baby’s cot can be quite difficult, especially if you don’t know what exactly you are looking for. Cot accessories can help keep your cot clean and your nursery tidy and beautiful. Toys provide creative stimulation that can both entertain and help your baby develop.
We hope this list will give you an idea of what you are looking for and help you find the best accessory to suit your baby’s cot and needs.