How to Choose the Best Cot Bed<br /><br />The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.<br /><br />This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.<br /><br />Budget<br /><br />When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.<br /><br />The Mamas &amp; Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a long time. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was more suitable than less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setting up.<br /><br />A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.<br /><br />The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.<br /><br />Safety<br /><br />A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides and solid foundations to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cot beds come with extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you keep things organised as your baby is growing.<br /><br />Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.<br /><br />This stylish and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the money.<br /><br />This is a great choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It will last until your child are around three years old. It also can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.<br /><br />This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were set apart to prevent fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it worth the investment.<br /><br />Design<br /><br />When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.<br /><br />The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types of cots can provide. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mum tester found it solid and sturdy and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.<br /><br />Alternately alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.<br /><br />Another option with a sleek 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 were impressed by its nifty features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot bed to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with a small space, since it can be folded down and flat-packed. It's 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 until 10 years old.<br /><br />Convertability<br /><br />There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.<br /><br />While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth until the age of.<br /><br />It's a bit more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for them to build and install. This is not a major issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.<br /><br />Another unique feature of this cot 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 develops. <a href="https://www.openlearning.com/u/mcfarlandcoyle-skypum/blog/CotsAndTotsToolsToEnhanceYourDayToDayLife">cot sets</a> may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and capabilities. It comes with teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from getting bitten.<br /><br />The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap however it offers great value for money as it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have confidence that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.<br /><br />