How To Explain Best Cot Bed To Your Grandparents

How to Choose the best cots for newborns Cot Bed

With so many baby essentials to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important buys. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.

A premium option that is perfect for Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions and the option of removing 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 that offer different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used into the preschool years and beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for a cot that will last for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand the years. The sleek design and warm color will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was a better option than some less expensive cots with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.

A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a good night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The mini cot beds is small when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a little on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.

The SnuzKot is another good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to opt for 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 that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to be able to climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child's ready.

This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots 4 tots with a standard mattress and is a great purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a top cot, this is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they are around three years old. It also folds flat and has locking wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.

This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can handle the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They noted that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the design. Your baby's cot will be used for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you love and also is functional and practical.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the best bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds often feature. It has plenty of storage space, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mum tester found it solid and sturdy and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we've tested with draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.

Another option that has a stylish panelled 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 were impressed by 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 being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since it can be rolled up and collapsed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years older.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of baby cots on sale must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child, so they can have a safe place to sleep.

While most cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.

It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers a premium appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were awed by how easy it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor flaw, though, considering it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another great aspect of this cot sale is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from being bit.

This cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.