9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the best cot bed (additional resources)

The best crib newborn cot bed is a essential item for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your little one.

A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy choice that can grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off when you're looking for an item that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for parents looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the cot isn't cheap cot bed and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.

The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable down and stored easily because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's a little light, meaning it may not be suitable 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.

We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to a minimal-looking toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby cannot easily move out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for security) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those with a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the price.

If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It comes with four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your child is three years old. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it worth the investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one you like and also is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we have tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several color options to fit your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features, with the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertability

There are many baby cots online essentials that you should consider as you become a new parent. 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.

Although most cots can be converted into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (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, since it is designed to last through childhood to.

It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we tested, but it has a premium appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to construct and set up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows since they may require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from being bit.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not expensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will take your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty, so you have peace of mind that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.