Choosing a cotbed

Choosing a Cotbed can be difficult, especially as first time parents when everything’s so new to you!

Though it might not seem like it to sleep-deprived mothers, babies sleep most of the time during their first two years of life. This means that the place where they sleep — their cot — is a vital investment. It’s normally advised that a baby sleeps in the same room as you, though in their own space, for six months. They can be moved into their own bedroom or nursery from six months old. While you could put a baby in a cot from day one, many parents opt for a smaller Moses basket or side sleeper for the first few months. 

A cot bed needs to look sylish in your child's nursery, but you also want one that's going to keep your baby protected while getting in those z’s and be easy for you to put together and use.

Is the Cot I’m Buying Safe?

You’ll want to do your own research to check that the cot you’re buying is safe, but the NHS guidelines are a good place to start. In general, you should look for a sturdy cot and you should make sure the bars are well-spaced so that your baby’s head can’t get stuck. The mattress should be a good snug fit for the cot. Aside from the mattress, keep items out of the cot so that the baby can’t get tangled. Teddy bears and pretty blankets can come when the baby is grown.

A good way to easily check your cot is to confirm it meets BS EN 716-2:2008. This is the level of safety required by law for all new cots in the UK, and if a cot meets this standard it will have correct spacing on the bars.

Cot Bed or a Cot? 

You might be wondering whether to opt for a cot or a cot bed. It’ll depend on your needs, as there are pros and cons to each. 

Cots

Cots these days tend to have adjustable heights to make it easier to lift your baby as it grows.

Pros:

• A baby can be put in a cot from day one.

• For smaller nurseries, they are a great space-saving option.

Cons:

• A cot can be difficult to move around. 

• Many parents prefer a Moses basket or similar for newborns, as cots can feel big. 

Cot Beds

Cot beds are basically bigger and wider than a normal cot. A cot bed is usually 140cm x 70cm, where a cot is 120cm x 60cm. A cot bed is a tempting option for some parents as it can be converted to a small bed for a toddler. 

Pros:

• You might get more use out of a cot bed, compared to a cot. 

Cons:

• They are larger than a cot, meaning they might not be suitable for a small nursery.

Features To Look Out For When Buying a Cot Bed

Height-Adjustable Base 

As we’ve mentioned, the height of a cot bed should be adjustable. This means you can adjust the cot bed as your baby grows. 

Size

It is advised that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months, so if you are limited for space, a cot will be better than a cot bed.

Matching Nursery Furniture Sets

It is worth buying a cot that comes as part of a matching set when you are looking for nursery furniture. White and grey are the two most popular colours but there’s lots of stylish new colours on the scene including darker colours of nursery furniture if you don't want to go for a standard wooden finish.