To prevent babies from moving under the bedding it is recommended to use a baby sleeping bag, possibly in combina- tion with a sleeping bag strap. Using a padded sleeping bag prevents babies from moving up or down the cot. But these solutions are not effective, because a lot of parents, who are using a (non-padded) sleeping bag, are still using other bedding. Besides, they do not always want to limit the freedom of movement of the baby while using a sleeping bag strap. Some parents put a pillow or other object at the foot of the cot to prevent the baby from sliding down. There are also a few inventions known, a recent one is described in GB Patent No. 2 320 677, in which a board of wood is placed at the foot end of the cot to prevent the baby from sliding down. Apart from aesthetic and practical disadvantages the main problem with these solutions is that, because they are fitted over the bedding, there still is a great danger the baby can slide under these objects. The Cradle Death Founda- tion recommends, with regard to the use of bedding, that the baby should be placed with its feet at the foot end of the cot. The disadvantage of this solution is, that the baby can

still move upwards and lie bare and therefore standard baby bedding is unsuitable for this purpose. Furthermore, most ventilated mattresses and also most canopies are thus func- tionless, as the babies'head lies not at the head of the cot.

The present invention eliminates the above mentioned problems and provides a system, according to the introduc- tion of claim 1, characterized in that the bed can be made up in the traditional way and in which the freedom of move- ment of the child is not limited, but only the space in the cot is limited. The blocking system moves the foot end of the cot upwards. Depending on the length of the baby, it can be placed at different distances in the cot. Attachment to the cot is excecuted in such a way that the baby is just able to touch the body or block with its feet, so that it cannot slide further down under the bedding. The blocking system is placed directly on the mattress under the bed- clothes, and prevents the baby from ending up underneath the body. The baby is placed in the cot with its head at the top of the mattress in the normal manner, possibly on a ventila- ted mattress and under a canopy.

The body mainly consists of an inflexible core, preferably a beam with a certain weight and a stable posi- tion. A soft layer preferably covers this. In this way a blocking system is created that cannot be bent or pushed away easily by the babies'feet, nor will the feet of the baby be hurt. Covering the body or block with bedding (a sheet) will also add to the stability of the body and pre- vent it from being pushed up by the babies'feet.

The length of the body or block is similar to the width of a standard-sized cot. The feet of the baby may not be able to pass the block on either two sides. The width of the body guarantees its stability. To prevent the body from toppling over, the underside of the body should at least be as wide as it is high. The body should also be high enough so it cannot be passed by any babyfeet. A height that is equal to the average length of a foot of a one-year-old baby

(the age the cot-shortening device is no longer needed) is of course the most safe height, but a few centimetres less will not decrease the safety of the blocking system, but will increase the system in a practical and economic way.

A preferred form of the body or block has rounded ends in order to make up the bed more easily and to prevent the baby from hurting its feet. To prevent the body from getting wet a plastic cover can be used.

The body is attached to the cot at the preferred height by means of a fastening system. It can be fastened to the bars of the cot, the cot's frame, the cot's bottom and/or to the mattress, in such a way that the blocking system cannot be pushed away. Preferably, the fastening system comprises a cover that fits exactly over the body. In order to protect the babies'feet the cover can be padded. Fastening strings or straps are attached at the tip ends of the cover. These strings or straps are long and strong enough to provide a reliable fastening to the cot. In order to prevent the baby from wriggling under the body or block, the body is situated underneath the bedding and the fastening strings are tighte- ned as much as possible. Possibly, a broad strip at the underside of the cover can make it even more difficult for the baby to wriggle under the blocking system.

Now the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: fig. 1 is a perspective view of the blocking system attached to the bars of the cot; fig. 2 is a side view of the blocking system; fig. 3 is a side view of the fastening system; and fig. 4A-4C are perspective views of the blocking system, wherein the beam is covered with different fitted sheetfabrics.

The figures are purely schematical and not drawn at a certain scale. For the sake of clarity some dimensions are out of proportion. The dotted-pattern in figure 1 and figure 3 only indicates that this is a designated fabric.

Figure 1 schematically shows the blocking system 1

attached to the mattress of a cot. By means of fastening strings 5 it has been attached to the cot's bars, on a level that the babies'feet are just able to touch the blocking system 1. As the baby grows the cot-shortening device can be moved towards the foot of the cot, until eventually the feet touch the foot of the cot or the baby is strong enough not to end up underneath the bedding.

Figure 2 schematically shows the body 2. The body 2 comprises a frame or beam 3. The length I of this beam is similar to the width of a standard-sized cot (approx. 60 cm), in order to prevent the babies'feet from passing on the sides. The width II of the beam 3 provides a stable position. In order to prevent the beam from toppling over, the underside of the beam must be at least as wide as it is high. The heigth III of the beam 3 must be safe enough to avoid sliding over it. To protect the babies'feet the body is covered by a soft layer 8 and the ends of the beam 3 are rounded at the end 9. The rounded ends also make it easier to make up the cot. Possibly a plastic cover protects the body or block from getting wet (not shown in the drawing).

Figure 3 schematically shows the fastening system 4, in this case four fastening strings 5 are fixed to a cover 6 with an opening 7. The cover 6 is preferably made of a washable fabric and fits thightly over the body. The faste- ning strings 5 are preferably fixed to the tip ends of the cover and are long and strong enough to provide a reliable fastening to the cot (i. e. the bars, the frame, the bottom and/or the mattress). By means of an opening 7, the body can be removed from the cover in order to wash or replace it.

Figures 4A-4C schematically show in perspective view the blocking system 1 with prismatic beam 15 covered with three possible different fitted sheetfabrics 10,11,12, wherein it is impossible for the baby to get his or her feet under the body 2. Figure 4A shows a velcro to attach the blocking system 1 to the cot.

It may be clear that the above mentioned description refers to a preferred form. Both the body and the fastening

system can be made either more or less complicated. A less complicated form comprises e. g. as a body a beam and cover with a fastening system of at least one string or strap fixed directly to the beam. In a more complicated form, for example, the blocking system could also include a hot-water bottle.