Buying a Used Baby Cot or Crib: Safety Standards to Know
Share
A cot is one of the few baby items genuinely built to last — solid wood, simple mechanics, no electronics to wear out. That's exactly why preloved cots make so much sense. But a few specific safety points are worth checking carefully before you buy one secondhand.
1. Slat spacing
Gaps between slats should be no more than about 6cm — wide enough gaps can trap a baby's head or limbs. If you're unsure, a simple rule of thumb: a can of soda shouldn't fit through the gap.
2. No drop-side mechanism
Older cots sometimes have a drop-side rail that lowers for easy access. These have been linked to safety issues internationally and are best avoided altogether, regardless of condition.
3. Mattress fit
The mattress should fit snugly with no more than a two-finger gap around the edges. A loose-fitting mattress is a suffocation risk. If you're buying the cot without its original mattress, budget for buying a properly fitted one new — this is one of the few items we'd always recommend buying new.
4. Structural soundness
Give the assembled cot a firm shake. It shouldn't wobble or creak. Check for cracks, splinters, or chewed edges (teething babies are hard on wood) and confirm all the original hardware is present, not swapped for mismatched screws.
5. Paint and finish
If the cot is painted, make sure it's a baby-safe, non-toxic finish, especially since teething babies chew on rails.
What we check before listing a cot on Chub Chub
We inspect slat spacing, confirm there's no drop-side mechanism, check structural stability, and verify hardware completeness before any cot goes live — the same standard we apply to car seats and other safety-critical gear. If a cot doesn't clear these basics, it doesn't get listed — no exceptions.
A good cot can serve two or three families over the years. Buying it preloved isn't cutting corners — it's exactly how a well-built cot is meant to be used.
Ready to browse? See our full range of quality-checked preloved cots and cribs.
Related reads: