Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed
A solid wooden crib is an investment for your child A good quality piece of furniture should last until your child starts school (insert crying emoticon here). This Scandi-style bed has three mattress positions and can be converted into a bed for toddlers using an extension kit.
It took our panel about an hour to put together, and the sides are low enough to allow for easy washing. wooden cotbed loved this sleek, classic design.
Material
A solid wooden cot bed is a timeless piece of furniture for children that can be loved for many years to come. It is also able to withstand the bumps and bruises that are inevitable in daily life. But, picking the right one is tricky with so many different designs and features available.
The most durable wood cot beds are made of strong and durable materials like pine or mahogany. They should be sanded and stained or painted with child-safe paint to protect against water damage. They should also have a fitted mattress that fits snugly and is marked with the name of the manufacturer and size. Your child's safety is paramount. Make sure that the crib you choose meets the most recent British safety standards and European safety regulations. It should be approved by a renowned laboratory.
Whether you're seeking a classic sleigh design or something more contemporary, there is an cot bed that is perfect for your preferences and budget. Silver Cross Nostalgia offers premium quality, functionality and an elegant design. It is designed to last until your child is ready for a bed, and can be transformed into a junior bed with the help of an optional set.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot-bed is another alternative. It has a number of additional features to keep your baby comfy and happy. It has a useful drawer underneath to keep nappies and blankets as well as teething rails. It also has an adjustable base height with three positions. It is also simple to assemble, and it has a long-lasting lifespan. When you buy an expansion kit, you can convert it into a bed for toddlers.
If you're on a strict budget, you can also consider the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed that is available in off-white or trendy green for just PS372. It can be used with a standard mattress for a cot and comes with a height-adjustable base that allows you to lower it as your baby grows. It can also be used from birth until age four, and the bars can be removed for a toddler bed.
Design
A real wood cot bed is an investment that will last for a long time and provide a secure environment for your child to grow and sleep. They are durable and adaptable and can be modified to meet your child's evolving needs with a variety of mattress base heights. They're also a chic option for any nursery, and blend in with the furniture.
There are a variety of wooden cot beds and it is crucial to think about your style and décor before purchasing one. Some are more modern, and others are more traditional style. Some are constructed from solid wood while others are made of composite materials like MDF. Solid-wood bed frames are more expensive, but they are sturdier and more durable than MDF models.
The most durable wooden cots will last for years, and some of them can be transformed into a toddler bed. One example is the Stokke Home Bed, which converts from a cot an adult bed, and later it transforms into a chic sofa. It also comes with additional features, such as an outdoor cover that gives your child the chance to play with their role and a changing tray for an easy nappy station.
Another excellent alternative is another option is Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot constructed from FSC pine and decorated in neutral white or soft beige. It is a good option for a nursery with a neutral theme. It is also easy to put together. Our panel took less than an hour to put together. This cot doesn't come with an included mattress it, so you'll have to purchase one separately.
If you're looking to buy a budget-friendly cot that won't skimp on quality, you could do worse than the Elementary cot bed from John Lewis' Anyday range. It's easy to assemble and comes with three mattress heights so that it can be used from the time of birth until your child is four. It is also designed to last the test of time and has strong construction.
If you're looking for a high-end product that lasts from newborn to toddler, take a look at the Little Interiors 1950s inspired cot from Danish brand Done by Deer. It's an original piece that can be turned to a bed that is low-level for toddlers or a playhouse by cutting off the cot bars. It was surprisingly easy to build and our testers really liked the sturdy feel of it.
Safety
As parents as parents, you want your child to be safe at all times, especially when asleep. A cot that is safe and secure will ensure that your child is safe and well-fed. It should also be free from dangers, such as entrapment or suffocation. When you are searching for the ideal cot, look for the following safety features:
Make sure that the cot is solid and sturdy, with no gaps between the bars. Verify that the bars don't exceed 95 millimetres apart. The larger gaps can restrict your baby's arms or head. Also, ensure that there's enough depth within the cot to stop your baby from climbing out.
It should be placed away from power and heaters points, since they can cause overheating. Make sure the cot is free of soft toys, stuffed animal and other objects that could suffocate your baby. You should also keep the cot free of curtains and blinds with cords, which can be a strangulation hazard for your child.
Experts in the field verify and test that all new cots, cot beds and cribs are safe. Some issues can arise after a product has been released to the market. It is essential to be cautious of older cots or heirlooms that may be older than recommended. Cots manufactured before 1973 may have been painted with lead-based paint. Old stickers on the sides of the cot can fall off and pose a choking risk for babies. If you're thinking about buying a second-hand cot, make sure the mattress is new and is in compliance with British safety standards BS EN716.
If you're looking for a multi-purpose crib that can carry you through your baby's toddler years and beyond, this model from Stokke is worth a look. It is sturdy, stylish and durable and comes with three different height levels that will expand with your child before you convert it into a bed. Our MFM testers reported that the instructions were "clear and easy to follow". It does not include a mattress, but it can be fitted with a standard 120cm x 60cm one. You can also buy a teething rail kit 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. Furniture made of solid wood lasts for a long period of time and can endure the scrapes and bumps that are part of everyday family life. Wooden cots made of solid wood are usually made by hand, so you'll know you're getting a piece that is of the highest quality and has been carefully designed.
Solid-wood cots are also notable for their capacity to be converted into other nursery furniture. This is especially true of the Boori Evolution furniture range, that can be turned into a bed for toddlers or even a sofa-bed, so that your child will have it until they are 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 solid-wood crib is among our top picks. It is packed with lots of features that make it a good option for any baby. It has teething rails, a drawer, and two different mattress height settings. It's also easy to assemble and our test subjects found it to be the easiest of all the crib beds we test.
Another solid-wood cot suitable for any nursery is the Scandi Classic Cot Bed from Ickle Bubba. It is a beautiful piece with rounded corners that make a stunning addition to 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. It can be customised with various accessories to suit your personal style.
Safety is of course the most important factor when it comes to cots and all cots are required to comply with strict UK safety regulations. You can learn more about the safety rules that a specific cot has to adhere to by looking at the key specs on the manufacturer's website. If you're uncertain about which kind of cot bed is the most secure for your child, talk to your healthcare professional for advice.