How to Choose cribs Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will stand the years. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for the Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be an improvement over cheaper cots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic 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 bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parent testers. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into bags similar to that used for the camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy design with sides or safety bars and a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to be able to climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for reassurance) and has an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last until your child are about three years old. It also folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable and has strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds often come with. It also offers space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mom test subject found it sturdy and robust with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until they reach the age of six older. It converts into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also the most simple cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it should see your child through from birth to childhood.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an attractive look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is not a major issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to guard it from biting.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not expensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.