Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed
A solid wooden cot bed is a wise investment for your child A high-quality piece should last until your child starts school (insert crying emoji here). This Scandi-style model has three mattress positions and can be transformed into a toddler bed with the right extension kit.
The panel took us an hour to put together, and the sides are low enough to allow for easy washing. Our testers were impressed by this simple traditional design.
Material
A real wood cot-bed can be an elegant piece of furniture for your nursery that can be cherished for a long time. It can also stand up to the inevitable bumps and bruises of family life. It can be difficult because of the numerous designs and features to choose from.
The best wood cot beds are constructed from sturdy, durable materials such as mahogany or pine. To guard them from water damage, they must be sanded and painted or stained using paint safe for children. The mattress should be placed well, and labeled with the name of the company and the size. The safety of your child is of the utmost importance, so be sure that the cot you select is in line with the most recent British and European safety standards. It should also be approved by a respected international laboratory.
There are wooden cot and bed that suit every taste and budget, whether you prefer a classic sleigh or something more contemporary. Silver Cross Nostalgia offers premium quality, functionality and an elegant design. It is built to last until your toddler is ready to go to bed, and can be transformed into an adult bed with the help of an optional kit.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot-bed is a different alternative. It has a number of additional features that will keep your baby comfy and happy. It comes with a drawer underneath to keep nappies and blankets as well as teething rails and an adjustable base height that can be adjusted to three positions. It is also simple to assemble, and it has a long life. If you purchase an expansion kit, you can turn it into a bed for toddlers.
If you're on a strict budget, there is also the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed it is available in off-white or stylish green and costs just PS372. It takes the standard mattress for a cot, and comes with a height-adjustable base, allowing you to lower it as your child grows. It is suitable from birth until the time your child is four and can be used with the bars removed to create a bench-style toddler's bed.
Design
A solid wood cot-bed is an investment in the future. It will last for a long time and give your child a safe place to sleep and develop. They are designed to be durable and flexible that allows them to adjust to the changing needs of your child with a range of mattress heights and conversion options. They're also a chic option for any nursery, fitting into the rest of your furniture.
There are a variety of wooden cot beds, and it is important to think about your style and decor before you buy one. Some are more modern, whereas others are more traditional in design. Some are made of solid wood and others are made from composite materials such as MDF. Solid-wood bed frames are more expensive, but they are sturdier and more durable than MDF models.
The best wooden cots will last for years, and some can even be transformed into a bed for toddlers. A good example is the Stokke Home Bed, which converts from a cot into the size of a junior bed, then a stylish sofa. The Stokke Home Bed comes with additional accessories like a tent to allow your child to play with their toys and a changing table for an easy diaper station.
Another great alternative is an alternative is the Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot made of FSC pine and decorated in neutral white or soft beige. It's a great choice for a neutral-themed nursery, and it is easy to put together - our panel took just an hour to get it functioning. The cot doesn't have mattresses, so you'll need to purchase one separately.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly cot that isn't compromising on quality, you could do worse than the Elementary cot bed from John Lewis' Anyday range. It's easy to assemble and has three mattress height positions so that it can be used from birth up until your child is four. It also has teething rails and is built to withstand the tests of time thanks to its solid construction.
Check out the Little Interiors 1950s-inspired cot by Danish brand Done by Deer for a premium purchase that will last from baby to toddler. It's an original piece that can be turned to a bed that is low-level for toddlers or even a playhouse by taking out the bars for the cot. It was fairly easy to build and our testers loved the sturdy feel.
Safety
As parents, you want your baby to be secure at all times, especially during sleep. A quality cot will ensure that your child is secure and well-fed. It must also be free of dangers, such as entrapment or suffocation. When searching for the perfect cot, consider the following safety features.
Make sure that the bars aren't more than 95 millimetres apart. Verify that the bars are less than 95 mm apart - larger gaps could entrap your baby's head or arms. Also, make sure there's enough space in the cot to prevent your baby from climbing out.
It should also be placed away from heaters, power points and windows, which can pose the danger of overheating. Keep the cot free of soft toys, stuffed animals and other toys that could make your baby suffocate. Also, keep your cot free of curtains and blinds that have cords. They could pose a strangulation risk for your child.
Experts in the industry test and certify that most new cots as well as cribs and cot beds are safe. Some issues can arise after a product is put on the market. It is important to be cautious of older cots or heirlooms that could be older than what is recommended. Cots manufactured before 1973 may have been coated with lead-based toxic paint. Older stickers on the side of the cot may fall off and pose the risk of choking for infants. If you're considering purchasing a second-hand crib, make sure the mattress is new and is in compliance with British safety standards BS EN716.
If you're looking for a multi-purpose cot that can take you through your toddler years and beyond, this model from Stokke is worth having a look. It's stylish, durable and solid, with three different height levels that will increase with your child before you can convert it into a bed. Our MFM testers reported that the instructions were "clear and simple to follow". It doesn't come with a mattress, but can be fitted to a standard 120cm by 60cm mattress. A teething rail kit, as well as an storage drawer, can be purchased to complement the crib.
Eco-friendly
Solid wood is an environmentally-friendly choice for cot beds because it's a strong and durable material. This means you'll get a piece of furniture that will last for years and stand up to the bumps and scrapes that come with daily family life. Wooden cots made of solid wood are often made by hand, which means you know that you're getting an item of high quality that has been crafted carefully.
Solid-wood cots are also noted for their capacity to be converted into other nursery furniture. This is particularly true of the Boori Evolution range of furniture that can be converted into a toddler bed or even a sofa bed so that it will last for your child right through six or seven years old. wooden cot and bed provides excellent value for money and also means that you don't have to purchase a new cot once your child is starting to outgrow it.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin solid-wood cot bed is one of our top picks. It has a lot of features that make it a great choice for any baby. It has a handy drawer, teething rails, and two different mattress height settings that can be adjusted as your baby grows. It's also simple to put together and our testers considered it to be the most simple of all the crib beds we test.
Scandi Classic Cot Bed by Ickle Bubba is another solid-wood cot that's perfect for any nursery. It's a gorgeous piece of furniture with rounded edges that look stunning in any space, and it's suitable for babies up to three years old. It can be used as a cot or toddler bed and can be made to order with different accessories to suit your taste.
Safety is of course a top priority when it comes cot beds and all cots have to be in compliance with strict UK safety regulations. On the manufacturer's site, you can find out the safety standards that a cot must meet. Ask your healthcare professional to help you decide which type of cot would be the best fit for your child.