Choosing the best cot bed provides a good night’s sleep for your baby. Deciding which cot to buy depends on you and your baby’s sleeping needs and your budget. You may need a cot for a camping trip or as a sleeping pad. You will find the features of each of the top 5 baby cot beds in this piece.
The Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed and The Regalo My Cot Extra Long Portable Toddler Bed are suitable full-sized camping cots. They are both lightweight and can serve as backpacking cots, but they do not come in a carrying bag. The ease of setup and weight makes it the best lightweight camping cot.
The Babywombworld Baby Bassinet is very good for cosleeping. It comes with storage space and can also serve as a playpen. It comes with a carrying bag and does not seem heavy to carry. It cannot serve as a camp cot.
The Ever Advanced Deluxe Portable Toddler Cot is perfect. It is the best overall camping cot because it is sturdy and comes with a canopy. The cot comes as an extra large camping cot. It bears a lot of structural similarities with the Regalo My Cot.
There are other details to consider when buying a cot for your baby. All questions are answered in this piece.
Top 5 Baby Cot Beds on the Market
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Buying Guide
Bed Size
To find the best cot bed for you and your baby, it is essential to think about your available space. If you are short of space, consider a cot bed that is smaller in size. If you have some space or are considering outdoor use, you can buy camping cot frames that are sturdy and durable. Always check the dimensions and ensure your choice will fit in your home. You may also want a small bedside bassinet or Moses basket. Keep in mind that your kid will outgrow it fast if it is small. With all of our picks, we have included dimensions to make your search that bit easier.
Adjustable Base Heights
Some cots have an adjustable feature with varied mattress heights by which you can lower the bed as your baby grows, preventing your baby from being able to climb up and out of the cot. Considering how quickly little ones grow and start trying to crawl out, this is a super helpful feature for any parent. This feature is present in the Babywombworld Baby Bassinet; it also makes it easier to adjust the cot to the height of your bed if you are cosleeping.
Bedding and Mattresses
Many cots do not come with a free cot mattress, so consider this extra cost in your budget when buying a cot.
The best, safest mattress for your baby should:
- Carry the BSI number BS 1877-10,
- Be firm,
- Fit the cot properly with no gaps,
- Be water resistant, or have a water-resistant cover,
- Have no rips or tears,
- Does not sag.
The Lullaby Trust does not recommend the use of pillows in your baby’s bed, which have been shown to increase the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission does not recommend using air mattresses for kids. Well-meaning parents may assume that the air mattress is secure and safe enough for your child. Do not use a sleeping bag for your kid.
The cot manufacturer may recommend the best mattress, but if you want to find one, check the dimensions first.
You should not use heavy bedding or quilts in your baby’s cot. Some cots and camping cots come with a bedding sheet. If your cot doesn’t come with a sheet, buy cots with water-resistant mattresses that are easy to get sheets for.
Teething Rail
As babies grow, it is common for them to chew on the side of their bed. For this reason, the best baby cot will come with an inbuilt teething rail. This feature stops you from worrying about your child grinding down the paint of the cot and consuming something they shouldn’t or hurting their gum.
Material
Ensure to check whether the cot is made of solid wood or not. Many manufacturers use something called MDF, an engineered wood coating, which is cheaper than natural wood. Make sure the fabrics are removable and easy to clean. If it uses steel instead of wood, ensure the cot comes with sturdy pipes and mechanisms by reviewing the cot of choice.
In addition, you want to pick something that will fit in with your style and the rest of the furniture in your bedroom/nursery. Most cot beds will come in various colors and styles, ensuring they will fit in with the rest of your nursery furniture.
Cot-Top Changer
Some cot beds include an in-built baby changing unit, a great added feature that is both space-saving and practical. Any parents will know the benefit of having a changing mat to fit perfectly and conveniently with little hassle in a practical spot. This also saves you the price of purchasing a separate baby changing table.
All Round Slats
All cot beds are designed differently, and something you might want to think about is whether you want slats around the cot. The benefits of all-round slats include improved visibility of your baby from every angle and increased ventilation to give your baby the best possible night’s rest.
Cots with closed ends are still safe and change the style of the bed, giving it a different, contemporary design. It is up to you which design works best and sits well with you; just be sure to have an open side of the cot facing you so you can easily keep an eye on your baby.
Safety
When searching for the best cot for your baby, the most critical factor is its safety. As much as we all want a cot that looks good, is practical, and comfortable, ensuring your child’s safety is the number one priority. Here are some things you should check for and consider when looking for a cot for your baby:
- Ensure the bed meets safety standards.
- Cot slats must be vertical, not horizontal, so your baby cannot use them to climb out.
- Slats must be strong to avoid breakages that may harm the baby.
- The cot frame should not bend or flex much. Camping cot frames should be sturdy and should not collapse while the child is on it.
- Paint, materials, and fabrics must be non-toxic and safety-approved.
- Space between the bars should measure less than 6.5cm to make sure the baby does not get stuck.
- If you are buying second-hand, get hold of the original instructions and undertake the same safety tests. Check for any breakages or signs of wear that might harm your baby.
What to Choose: Cot or Cot Bed?
The critical difference between a cot and a cot bed is that cots are generally much smaller and built for younger babies, whereas cot beds can be converted into toddler beds to last your child into their early years.
When deciding between a cot and a cot bed, there are a few factors to consider. If this is your first baby, and you plan on having more children, a cot for babies might be a solid investment, ready to be reused for your next baby. Additionally, if you are low on space, a cot would be the wiser choice as they tends to be the smaller size.
However, a good cot bed is a worthy long-term investment for you and your baby, despite a sometimes higher price tag, as their convertibility means they can sometimes last your child up to 10 years old. Transitioning from a cot to a bed can be a big deal for your little one, so making the experience familiar and taking away the stress of change will lift a weight off your and their shoulders.
Choosing between a cot and a cot bed ultimately comes down to your needs and preferences; just be sure to check which one you’re getting before you buy. Our best picks are cot beds that are convertible into toddler beds.
Types of Cot Beds
Seeing as your cot bed will most likely last your baby well into their early years, you want to find one that you will continue to love the look of for years to come. You could go for a standard, fixed-sides, rectangular cot bed for your baby, but there are a few other products.
Drop-sided
Drop-sided cot beds have one side rail that drops down for easy access to your baby.
This can be a great feature for parents on the shorter side or parents who want to avoid putting their back out when putting their baby in and out of the cot.
In addition, having more accessible access to your baby in the cot means you’re less likely to awaken a sleeping baby with a bumpy entry into or out of bed.
Depending on the mechanism, the drop-side can be operated with just one hand, perfect for holding your baby in the other.
Some worry about the safety of the drop-side, and it is banned in the USA. However, the Baby Products Association (BPA) ensures that cots undergo rigorous testing to meet current safety regulations. Always check that the cot bed passes the UK or European safety standards, and give the mechanism a test before using it with your baby.
Sleigh Beds
Sleigh cots are classic cots with curved end panels resembling a sleigh. These look very stylish and can be drop-sided or have fixed sides. They have the same features as all other cots, so with this cot type, it’s all about style and preference. They can also be converted into a bed as the child outgrows a cot frame.
Cot Beds With Storage Space
Some cots make use of the space underneath with drawers. This can be very handy if you are strapped for space and need somewhere practical to store things like extra bedding or baby clothes.
You can also find cots with in-built changing systems, whereby an easy baby-changing mat can be placed on top of the cot as a handy space-saving feature.
Final say
Our top pick is the Ever Advanced Portable Deluxe Toddler Sleeping Cot with Canopy because it is functional, sleek, and sturdy. The cot is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. It is the best camping cot for outdoor use. It has a sleeping pad, but you can add bedding for extra comfort to make it into a bed for indoor use. It grows with your child as it holds up to 140 pounds. It had a canopy that protected against the sun’s rays outside and was good as a style inside.
Consider your needs and that of your child when using a cot bed for your child. The safety of your child is essential. Do not put your child’s cot close to a wall with windows and plug outlets. Do not buy old cots for your child. Do not use air mattresses or put your child in a sleeping bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a baby cot be up against the wall?
Finding a safe place for your cot can pose a challenge. Anticipate all potential hazards and ensure your baby’s cot is placed out of harm’s way. The American Association of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends room sharing but not bed sharing. The safest cot position should be right up against the wall or at least 30cm away from the wall away from a window with curtains, or near a heater or plug points. This is to ensure your baby cannot get trapped between the wall and the side of the cot when they are learning how to climb out of the cot. You can also position your baby’s cot close to the doorway or entrance in a separate room.
Are second-hand cots safe?
Understandably, in some cases, buying a new cot and mattress is not possible. Although fresh is best, there are some checks you can do to make sure the second-hand cot and cot mattresses are safe for your baby.
Ensure the mattress is still firm and flat with no rips or tears. Make sure the previous users had used a waterproof covering, and thoroughly clean that through before use.
When buying or receiving a cot second-hand, get a copy of the original instructions and check that the cot meets current UK (or EU) standards. Examine the cot to ensure no breakages and the structure is solid. It should have all the same safety features and functions as a brand-new cot.
Unfortunately, it is not safe for your baby to use an antique cot, something that has been passed down to your family, as it is unlikely to meet current safety standards. However, it is possible to find lovely vintage-style cots, brand new and second-hand, that are safe.
What bed is best after a cot?
It is right to think about how moving from cot to bed will affect your toddler. You can consider putting a cot or single-bed mattress on the floor. Your child might feel safer, and it reduces the risk of your toddler falling out of bed. Another thing is you can use a cot that converts to a toddler bed or buy a toddler bed; they also reduce the risk of your child falling out of bed and getting hurt. When introducing pillows (best for children above two years), use a pillow that keeps your child’s head and neck in line with their back (5-6 cm high). Use a mattress that fits your child’s bed so they do not get stuck in the gaps. Do not use heavy blankets, and keep soft toys and anything that can suffocate your child out of the bed. Do not use an air mattress. Involve your child in transitioning to a new bed, tell them about it, and let them help with the setup as much as possible.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
