Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed
A real wood cot-bed is a wise investment in your child's future. A well-constructed piece of furniture should last until they start the school (insert the crying emoticon). This Scandi-style bed has three mattress positions, and can be transformed into a bed for toddlers using an extension kit.
It took our panel an hour to put together and the sides are low enough to allow for easy washing. Cots For Tots were impressed by this simple, classic design.
Material
A real wood cot-bed can be an iconic piece of furniture for the nursery that can be cherished for many years. It will also be able endure the inevitable bumps and bruises of family life. However, choosing the right one can be difficult due to the numerous designs and features available.
The best wood cot beds are made of strong and durable materials like pine or mahogany. To guard them from water damage, they should be painted and sanded or stained with child-safe paint. They must also have a mattress that is snug and is labelled with the name of the manufacturer and size. Your child's safety is the most important thing. Make sure the crib you choose meets the most current British safety standards and European safety regulations. It should also be approved by a respected international laboratory.
There are cot beds to suit every taste and budget regardless of whether you prefer a classic sleigh or something more contemporary. The Silver Cross Nostalgia is a gorgeous option that comes with high-end quality and function with a timeless style to match. It's designed to last until your child is old enough to transition into a bed. There is a kit available that allows it to be converted into a junior-sized bed.
Another alternative is the Mamas & Papas Franklin cot bed, which comes with numerous extra features to keep your baby happy and comfortable. It has a useful drawer beneath to store blankets and nappies, teething rails, and an adjustable base height that can be adjusted to three positions. It's also simple to put together and is extremely durable and can be transformed into a toddler bed with the purchase of an extension kit.
If you're on an extremely tight budget, you can consider the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed that is available in off-white or fashionable green and costs just PS372. It is a standard cot bed and has an adjustable height base that lets you lower the bed as your child grows. It can also be used from birth until age four, and the bars can be removed to make a toddler bed.
Design
A real wood cot bed is an investment that can last for a long time and provide a safe environment for your child to grow and sleep. They are durable and versatile and can be modified to meet your child's changing needs with a variety of mattress heights. They also make a fashionable option for any nursery as they blend in with your other furniture.
Before you buy a wooden cot, it's important to consider your style and design. Some are more modern, and others are more traditional in design. Some are made of solid wood and others are made using composite materials like MDF. Solid-wood cots are more costly but are also more durable and sturdy than MDF models.
The best wooden cots are constructed to last, and some are even converted into a toddler's bed. One of the best examples is the Stokke Home Bed, which converts from a cot an adult bed, and later a stylish sofa. The Stokke Home Bed is available with optional extras like the tent that allows your child to play with their toys and a changing table that can be used as an easy diaper station.
The Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot is another great alternative. It is made from FSC Pine and finished with a neutral beige or white. It's a great option for a neutral nursery, and it's easy to assemble it took us less than an hour to get it functioning. This cot does not come with mattresses it, so you'll have to purchase a mattress separately.
If you're looking to buy a budget-friendly cot that isn't compromising on quality, you'll be able to better off with the Elementary cot bed from John Lewis' Anyday range. It's simple to put together and has three mattress height positions, so that it can be used from the time of birth up until your child is four. It also includes teething rails that are designed to stand up to the tests of time thanks to its sturdy construction.
Take a look at the Little Interiors 1950s-inspired cot by Danish brand Done by Deer for a high-end product that lasts from baby to toddler. It's a unique piece that can be turned to a bed that is low-level for toddlers or a playhouse by removing the bars for the cot. It was relatively easy to put together and our testers loved the sturdy feel of it.
Safety
As parents, you want your baby to be secure throughout the day, particularly when they are asleep. A cot that is well-constructed will ensure that your child is well-rested and comfortable. It should also be free from dangers like entrapment and suffocation. When you are looking for the ideal cot, consider the following safety features.
Make sure the cot is sturdy and sturdy, with no gaps between the bars. Make sure that the bars don't exceed 95 millimetres apart. Wider gaps could hinder your baby's arms and head. Also, ensure there's enough space in the cot to prevent your baby from climbing out.
It should be kept away from heaters and power points, as they could cause overheating. It is also recommended to keep the cot clear of toys, stuffed animals and other soft objects, which can be a suffocation hazard for your baby. You should also keep the cot clear of blinds and curtains that have cords, which can be strangulation hazards for your child.
The majority of new cots and beds are tested and certified to be safe by industry experts. However, there are some issues that arise after a product is placed on the market, and it's important to be wary of heirloom or second-hand beds that are older than recommended. Cots made before 1973 could have been coated with lead-based toxic paint. Old stickers on the side of the cot could fall off and pose the risk of choking for infants. If you are thinking of buying a used cot, ensure that the mattress is brand new and has been tested to meet the British safety standards BS EN716.
This multifunctional cot from Stokke will take you through the toddler years of your child and beyond. It's stylish, solid and durable, with three height levels to allow your child to grow before you convert it to a bed. It's easy to construct and has our MFM test participants praising the instructions for being "clear and easy to follow". It does not come with the mattress, but it can be made to fit the standard 120cm by 60cm mattress. You can also buy teething rail kits and storage drawer to go with it.
Eco-friendly
Solid wood is an environmentally-friendly choice for cot beds because it's a strong and durable material. You'll find furniture that will last a long time and can endure the scrapes and bumps that are common to family life. Solid wood cots are usually made by hand, so you'll know you're getting something of top quality that has been carefully designed.
Another feature that makes solid-wood cots stand out is that they can often be converted into other pieces of nursery furniture. This is especially true for the Boori Evolution furniture range, which can be converted into a toddler's bed, or even a sofa bed so that your child will have it until they are seven or six years old. This is a great way to save money, and you won't have to buy a new cot for your child if they're outgrowing their cot.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin is one of the top solid-wood cribs we've tested and it has a host of extra features that help to make it a fantastic option for any baby. It comes with a drawer, teething rails, and two different mattress height settings. It's also incredibly simple to put together and our test subjects found it to be the most simple of all of the cot beds we test.
Another solid-wood cot that's ideal for any nursery is the Scandi Classic Cot Bed from Ickle Bubba. It's a gorgeous piece of furniture with rounded edges. It will look stunning in any space and is suitable for newborns as young as three years old. It can be used as a cot, toddler bed or a junior bed, and can be customised with various accessories to fit your style.
Of course when it comes down to cot beds, safety is of paramount importance and all cots must comply with the strict UK safety standards. On the website of the manufacturer, you can find out the safety standards cots must meet. If you're uncertain about which kind of cot is the most secure for your child, ask your healthcare professional for advice.