Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed
A solid wood cot bed is a wise investment for your baby A high-quality piece should last until the time they begin school (insert crying emoticon here). The Scandi-style bed comes with three mattress positions, and can be transformed to a toddler's bed using the appropriate extension kit.
Our panel took about an hour to assemble and the sides are low to allow for easy washing. Our testers loved this sleek, classic design.
Material
A real wood cot-bed can be an elegant piece of furniture for your nursery that can be treasured for many years. It's also built to withstand the bumps and bruises that occur in family life. The decision of which one to choose is difficult because of the numerous options and styles available.
The best cot beds made of wood are made of strong robust materials like pine or mahogany. They should be sanded down and stained or painted with child-safe paint to protect against water damage. The mattress should be placed snugly, and labelled with the name of the manufacturer and the size. The safety of your child is paramount, so make sure that the cot you pick is in line with the most recent British and European safety standards. It should be endorsed by an internationally recognized laboratory.
If you're looking for a classic sleigh design or something more modern There's a cot bed that will fit your budget and style. wood bed cot is a beautiful choice that offers high-end quality and function and a timeless design to match. It's designed to last until your child is ready for bed, and can be transformed into a junior bed with the help of an optional set.
Another option is the Mamas & Papas Franklin cot bed, which has many extra features to keep your baby happy and comfortable. It has a useful drawer underneath to store blankets and nappies as well as teething rails. It also has an adjustable height base with three positions. It is also simple to assemble, and it has a long lifespan. With the purchase of an expansion kit, you can transform it into a bed for toddlers.
If you are on a tight budget and want to save money, the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is a great option. It is available in fashionable green or off-white and costs only PS372. It can be used with a standard mattress for a cot and comes with an adjustable height base that allows you to lower it as your baby grows. It can also be used from birth up to age four, and the bars can be removed to create a toddler bed.
Design
A real wood cot bed is an investment that can last for years and provide a safe space for your child to grow and sleep. They are durable and adaptable and can be adapted to meet your child's evolving requirements with a variety of mattress heights. They are also a stylish choice for any nursery, and blend into the furniture.
There are a myriad of kinds of wooden cot beds, and it is essential to think about your style and design before purchasing one. Some are more traditional, whereas others are more modern in design. Some are made of solid wood while others are made of composite materials such as MDF. Solid-wood cot beds are more expensive, but they can be sturdier and more durable than MDF models.
The best wooden cots are constructed to last. Some can even be converted into a toddler's bed. A good example is the Stokke Home Bed, which transforms from a cot to a junior bed and then a stylish sofa. It is also available with other accessories, like a tent cover to give your child opportunities to role-play, and a changing tray that can be used as a convenient nappy station.
Another great option is the Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot constructed from FSC pine and is finished in a neutral white or soft beige. It's a great option for a neutral nursery, and it's easy to put together the panel we tested took less than an hour to get up and running. The cot doesn't come with a mattress, so you will need to purchase one separately.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly cot that doesn't compromise on quality, you could better off with the Elementary cot bed from John Lewis' Anyday range. It is easy to assemble and has three mattress heights so that it can be used by your child from birth to four years old. It also includes teething rails and is designed to stand the test of time thanks to its robust construction.
For a top-quality purchase that will last from newborn to toddler, take a look at the Little Interiors 1950s inspired cot from Danish brand Done by Deer. It's a unique piece that can be transformed into a low-level bed suitable for toddlers or even a playhouse by cutting off the bars for the cot. It was surprisingly easy to put together and our testers loved the sturdy feel.
Safety
As parents, you want your baby to be secure at all times, and especially when they are asleep. A cot that is safe and secure will ensure your baby is comfortable and well-rested. It should be free of hazards such as suffocation and entrapment. During your search for the ideal cot, be sure to look for these safety features:
Check 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. Make sure the cot is enough depth to stop your child from climbing out.
It should also be positioned away from windows and power points, which can pose a risk of overheating. Keep the cot free of soft toys, stuffed animals and other toys that could make your baby suffocate. It is also important to keep your cot free of blinds and curtains with cords. These could be a strangulation hazard for your child.
The majority of new cots and beds are tested and certified to be safe by experts in the field. However, some problems can arise when a product goes on the market, so it's crucial to be aware of second-hand or heirloom cots that may be older than the recommended. Cots made before 1973 could have been painted with lead-based paint. Older stickers on the sides of the cot could be removed and create the risk of choking for infants. If you're thinking of buying purchasing a second-hand cot, be 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 baby's toddler years and beyond, this one from Stokke is worth having a look. It's stylish, solid and sturdy, and comes with three levels of height to allow your child to grow before it can be converted into a bed. It's easy to build, with our MFM test participants praising the instructions for being "clear and easy to follow". It doesn't include the mattress, but it can be fitted to a standard 120cm by 60cm mattress. You can also buy a teething rail kit as well as a storage drawers to complement it.
Eco-friendly
Solid wood is an environmentally-friendly choice for cot beds because it's a strong and durable material. Furniture made of solid wood lasts for a long time and endure the scrapes and bumps that are part of everyday family life. Solid wood cots are usually made by hand, which means you'll know you're getting an item that is of the highest quality and is carefully crafted.
Another thing that makes solid-wood cots stand out is that they are often converted into other pieces of nursery furniture. This is especially true of the Boori Evolution furniture range, that can be turned into a toddler's bed or even a sofa-bed, so that your child can use it until they are seven or six years old. This is a great way to save money, and you won't need to purchase a new cot for your child if they're outgrowing their cot.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin is one of the best solid-wood cribs we've tested and it has a host of extra features to make it a great option for any baby. It comes with a useful 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 test participants considered it to be the most simple of all the crib bed models 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 make a stunning addition to any room, and it's suitable for babies as young as three years old. It can be used as a cot, toddler bed, or a junior bed and it can be customized with a variety of accessories to suit your style.
Safety is of course paramount when it comes to cot beds and all cots are required to comply with strict UK safety regulations. You can get details on the safety rules that a particular cot needs to follow by reviewing the key specs on the website of the manufacturer. If you're unsure about what kind of cot is the most secure for your child, ask your doctor for advice.