Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed
A solid wood cot-bed is a good investment for your child's future. A well-constructed piece of furniture will last until the time they enter school (insert the crying emoji). This Scandi-style bed features three mattress positions and can be transformed to a toddler's bed using the right extension kit.
Our panel took about an hour to assemble, and the sides are low to make washing a breeze. Our testers were impressed by this simple classic design.
Material
A solid wooden cot bed is a timeless piece of nursery furniture that can be kept for a long time. It will also be able stand up to the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with family life. But, picking the right one is difficult with the many designs and features available.
The most durable wood cot beds are made from strong, durable materials such as mahogany or pine. They should be sanded and stained or painted with child-safe paint to guard against water damage. The mattress should be placed snugly, and labelled with the name of the manufacturer and size. Your child's safety is of paramount importance, so make sure that the cot you pick meets the latest British and European safety standards. It should also be endorsed by a reputable international laboratory.
There are cot beds that satisfy every budget and taste regardless of whether you prefer traditional sleighs or something more contemporary. The Silver Cross Nostalgia is a beautiful choice that offers top quality and practicality, with a timeless design to match. It is designed to last up until your child is old enough to be able to sleep in the bed. There is a kit available that permits it to be converted into a junior-sized bed.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot-bed is another alternative. It has a number of additional features that will keep your baby comfortable and content. It has a drawer that can be used to store blankets, nappies and teething rails. The height of the base can be adjusted in three different positions. It's also easy to put together and lasts for a long time It can also be converted into a bed for toddlers with the purchase of an extension kit.
If you're on a budget and want to save money, the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is a great choice. It is available in fashionable off-white or green, and is priced at only PS372. It's a standard cot bed and comes with a height-adjustable base that lets you lower the bed as your child grows. It is suitable from birth until your child is four. It can be used with the bars removed for the appearance of a bench-style toddler's bed.
Design
A solid wood cot bed is a wise investment that can last for years and provide a safe environment for your child to grow and sleep. They are durable and flexible and can be adapted to meet your child's changing needs with a variety of mattress base heights. They're also a chic choice for any nursery, fitting into the rest of your furniture.
Before purchasing a wooden cot bed, it's important to think about the style and decor you want to create. Some are more modern, and others are more traditional style. Some are constructed from solid wood, while others are manufactured from composite materials, such as MDF. Solid-wood cots are more costly however they are more durable and robust than MDF models.
The most durable wooden cots are constructed to last, and some of them even convert 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 it transforms into a chic sofa. The Stokke Home Bed comes with optional extras like an outdoor tent that allows your child to role-play and a changing table to serve as a convenient diaper station.
The Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot is another excellent option. It is made of FSC Pine and finished in a neutral white or beige. It's a great choice for a neutral-themed nursery and is simple to assemble the panel we tested took less than an hour to get up and running. This cot does not come with a mattress included it, so you'll have to purchase one separately.
The Elementary cot from John Lewis Anyday is a ideal choice for those looking for a low-cost cot without sacrificing quality. It's easy to assemble and includes three mattress height positions so that it can be used from birth up until your child is four years old. It's also built to stand the test of time and has a sturdy construction.
Take a look at the Little Interiors 1950s-inspired cot by Danish brand Done by Deer for a top-quality purchase that lasts from baby to toddler. It's an original piece that can be transformed into a low-level bed for toddlers or even a playhouse by taking out the cot bars. It was simple to put together and our testers loved its sturdy and solid feel.
Safety
As parents you want your child to be safe at all times, especially during sleep. A cot that is safe and secure will ensure that your child is well-rested and comfy. It must also be free of dangers like entrapment and suffocation. When looking for the perfect cot, think about the following safety features.
Check that the bars aren't more than 95 mm apart. Make sure that the bars do not exceed 95 millimetres. The larger gaps can trap your baby's arms or head. Also, ensure there's enough depth in the cot to keep your baby from climbing out.
It should also be placed away from heaters, power points and windows, which can pose a risk of overheating. It is also recommended to make sure that the cot is free of toys, stuffed animals and other soft items which can be a suffocation hazard for your child. It is also important to keep the cot away from curtains and blinds with cords, which can be an entrapment risk for your child.
The majority of cots and beds are tested and certified to be safe by experts in the field. Certain issues can occur after a product has been released to the market. It is important to be wary of antique or second-hand cots that could be older than what is recommended. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 may be painted with toxic leaded paint, and old stickers on the side can peel and become an choking hazard for infants. If you are considering an old cot, be sure that the mattress is brand new and has been tested to meet the British safety standard BS EN716.
This multi-functional cot from Stokke will help you navigate the toddler years of your child and beyond. It is sturdy, stylish and durable and comes with three different height levels that will grow with your child, before you can convert it into a bed. It's easy to build and is backed by our MFM test participants praising the instructions for being "clear and easy to follow". It doesn't include a mattress, but can be fitted to the standard 120cm by 60cm mattress. A teething rail kit as well as an storage drawer, can be purchased to match 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 a long time and be able to endure the scuffs and scrapes of daily family life. Solid wood cots are also usually made by hand, which means you know that you're getting something of top quality that has been carefully designed.
Another feature that makes solid-wood cots stand out is the fact that they are often converted into other pieces of furniture for nursery. This is especially true for the Boori Evolution range of furniture that can be converted into a toddler bed or even a sofa bed, so that it will last your child until they're six or seven years old. This provides excellent value for money and means that you won't have to buy a brand new cot once your child begins to outgrow it.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin is one of the top solid-wood cribs we've tried, and it has a host of extra features that help to make it a great option for any baby. It comes with a useful drawer, teething rails and two different mattress base height settings that can be adjusted as your child grows. It's also very easy to put together, and our test subjects found it to be the easiest of all of the cot beds we test.
Scandi Classic Cot Bed by Ickle Bubba is another solid-wood cot that is perfect for any nursery. It's a beautiful piece with rounded corners that look stunning in any room. It's suitable from newborns to three years old. It can be used as a cot, a toddler bed or a junior bed, and can be customised with various accessories to suit your personal style.
Safety is of course a top priority when it comes to cot beds and all cots have to comply with strict UK safety regulations. On the website of the manufacturer you can learn about the safety standards that a cot must meet. Consult your physician to help you decide what kind of cot is best for your child.