9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best crib cot bed is one of the most important items to purchase. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your baby.

A premium option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that offer different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want an item that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it does require an Allen key to start it up.

A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is small when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a little on the lightweight side and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot around all the time.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.

Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still stunning." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There is an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the money.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from room to.

The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots offers we've tested at 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can handle noisy 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 stuck between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the quality and durability are worth the cost.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one you like as well as is functional and practical.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds often feature. It also offers storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mum tested it and found it sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots to tots that we tested with the option of a drawer as well as a teething rail 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 color options to fit the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its unique features and the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It fits a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child is 10 years of age.

Convertibility

When you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

Although most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot bed sales beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth to the time of their childhood.

It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we test, but it comes with a premium look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by how easy it was for them to build and put up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from becoming a bit.

This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap baby cots but it's excellent value for money since it will see your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it's durable and durable. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress, that's not included.