9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best baby cots cot bed is one of the most important items to purchase. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your Baby Crib.

This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child, with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off 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 a variety of options with different lifespans and some of them can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or Cot Sets even beyond. Of course, the ones which convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want an item that lasts for many years, not just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for those who want an excellent cot that will stand the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look great in a Scandi nursery. This Cot Bed - Recommended Resource site, also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was superior to cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and Cots and Tots an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to get it up and running.

A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parent testers. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's a little light which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage which can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.

Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for peace of mind) and comes with an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great value buy for the money.

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

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable with an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They also noted that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the design. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy and also is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these cots are known for. It also offers storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, and teething rails that can be connected to the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features, with the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years of age.

Convertability

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

While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth to childhood.

It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This is not a major issue, however, as it was still very simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, since it will last through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which isn't included.