9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the best cots uk Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. This guide will assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.

A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that offer various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that will last for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those who want an excellent mini cot beds that will last a lifetime. The minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.

A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for car camping however it's suitable for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.

We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and solid foundations, so your baby can't be able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.

Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's also an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most recommended cribs standard mattress cots and is a great purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It offers four mattress base positions when in the cot position and will last until your child is three years old. It folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the investment for its durability and functionality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't forget the design. Your baby's cot will be used for a long time, therefore it's crucial to choose one you like and is also practical and useful.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds can often come with. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mother tester found it to be sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also among the most simple cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space as it can be rolled up and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as the new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a safe bed to sleep in.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last your child from birth through the time of their childhood.

It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and capabilities. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from becoming a bit.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad's testers. It's not expensive but it's excellent value for money since it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. Plus, it's covered by one-year warranties which gives you peace of mind that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.