Are Cots with Closed Ends Safe? What Parents Should Know
Closed End Cots Vs Cots with Open or Slat Ends
Sometimes looks can overcome practicality and parents do not even realise it. One example of this is a question that deserves more attention: Are cots with closed ends safe?
In our opinion, cots with open slat ends are generally the better option for airflow, visibility and practicality.
This is because solid cot ends can reduce airflow around the cot area compared with fully open slat designs. This becomes even more important if the cot is positioned against a wall, where only one side of the cot may be fully open to airflow via the slats.
You should always keep at least a 10cm gap between the cot and the wall to help maintain airflow around the nursery setup.
Make no mistake, we also recommend avoiding cots with decorative cut-outs in solid ends.
What Most Parents Don’t Realise
Many parents initially choose a cot based on:
- styling
- matching nursery furniture
- Instagram inspiration photos
- designer appearance
However, the practical things that matter most once baby arrives are often:
- airflow around the cot
- being able to see baby clearly from different angles
- nursery placement against walls
- ease of checking on baby during the night
- how “open” the nursery space feels
Many parents only realise later that visibility and practicality become much more important than appearance alone.
Closed End Cots Vs Cots with Open Ends
Many brands have offered cots with closed ends over the years, including large well-known nursery brands. In many cases, this is largely driven by styling and nursery aesthetics.
This does not necessarily mean the cot fails Australian standards such as AS/NZS 2172. However, meeting the minimum standard does not always mean a design is the most practical option for every family.
When choosing a cot, we believe parents should think beyond styling alone and consider:
- airflow
- visibility
- nursery layout
- everyday practicality
Closed End Cot vs Open Slat Cot
| Feature | Closed End Cot | Open End Slat Cot |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | Reduced airflow at cot ends | Improved airflow from all directions |
| Visibility | Harder to see baby from certain angles | Better visibility around the cot |
| Nursery Feel | Can feel visually heavier | Creates a more open nursery feel |
| Toddler Climbing | Solid ends may assist climbing | Usually more difficult to climb |
| Design Style | Often chosen for aesthetics | More traditional cot appearance |
Benefits of NOT having a Cot with Closed Ends
There are other benefits of not having closed ends on your cot.
The most obvious is the ability for you as a parent or carer to see baby from multiple angles when the cot is placed against a wall in your nursery. This can make quick visual checks easier during both daytime and overnight use.
On top of that, baby can generally see out of the cot more easily, which may help the nursery space feel less enclosed.
Another issue with cots with closed ends is that some toddlers may find it easier to use the solid panel as leverage when attempting to climb.
With a cot that has open slat ends, this is often more difficult.
Summary:
In our opinion, cots with open slat ends are generally the better option for airflow, visibility and practicality.
However, the right cot still depends on:
- your nursery layout
- your room size
- your styling preferences
- your practical needs
The key is getting advice from people with genuine experience across all cot styles rather than simply choosing based on appearance alone.
The importance of getting the right advice from true experts, not just a casual sales assistant or manufacturer trying to push a specific product, cannot be overstated.
We have a full team of highly trained staff helping families choose the right cot every day. Do not hesitate to seek advice from us. We are here to help.
Right now, we have incredible deals on all our cots. Click below to get instant access.
Talk Soon,
Frank
About the Author
Frank is a founding owner of Bubs n Grubs. He is also the sole author of the Bubs n Grubs Baby Blog. He has been personally evaluating baby products & testing them before offering them to our customers since 2009. In addition, he is consistently giving manufacturer’s feedback & product development advice, reviewing & getting customer feedback. He has been doing this since the business started in 2009. He is proud to be one of the rare baby store owners who regularly engages with customers in store. Frank values the constant feedback and regularly seeks it out. He has been featured on The Morning Show & The Today Show on Channel 7 and Channel 9 and is a recognised expert in baby products as a result.