How to Choose great crib www.cots4tots.co.uk Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for any baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your little one.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds to be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design making it a great choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will stand the years. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's a little on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until around four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that includes safety bars or sides and an erect base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails and drawers under the bed, which can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of 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 up to provide peace of mind) and comes with an option for an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a great option. It has an impressive four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your child is about three years old. It also can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots that we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely robust and has a sturdy frame that will be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our test subjects found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the price for its durability and functionality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time so it's important to find one that you love and also is functional and practical.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It has plenty of storage space, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mom tested it and found it solid and sturdy with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we have tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with little space since it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It uses 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 up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. 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 evolve with your child so that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it will last your child through childhood to.
It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an attractive appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up, 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 the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was impressed by the grey finish. It's not cheap however it offers excellent value for money since it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee which gives you assurance that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which is not included.