Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed

A real wood cot bed is a wise investment for your child - a good quality piece will last until they start school (insert crying emoticon here). This Scandi-style number has three mattress positions and can be transformed into a toddler bed by using the right extension kit.

The panel took us about an hour to put together, and the sides are low enough to make washing a breeze. Our testers loved this clean traditional design.

Material

A real wood cot-bed can be a timeless nursery furniture piece that can be cherished for years. It will also be able to withstand the bumps and bruises that occur in the family life. However, picking the right one can be tricky with so many different styles and features on offer.

The best wood cot beds are made from strong and durable materials like mahogany or pine. To guard them from water damage, they should be painted and sanded or stained with paint that is safe for children. The mattress should be fitted snugly, and labelled with the name of the manufacturer and size. The safety of your child is paramount, so make sure that the cot you choose meets the latest British and European safety standards. It must also be endorsed by a reputable international laboratory.

There are cot bed natural wood beds that satisfy every budget and taste, whether you prefer an old-fashioned sleigh or something more contemporary. Silver Cross Nostalgia offers premium quality, practicality and an elegant design. It's designed to last up until your toddler is ready to be able to sleep in a bed. There is a kit available that allows it to be converted into a junior-sized bed.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot-bed is another alternative. It comes with a variety of extra features that will keep your baby comfortable and happy. 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 easy to set up, and has a long life. When you buy an expansion kit, you can turn it into a toddler's bed.

If you're on a budget, the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is a great choice. It comes in stylish green or off-white and wooden cot bed and costs only PS372. It is the standard mattress for a cot, and comes with a height-adjustable base, allowing you to lower it as your baby grows. It can also be used from birth until age four, and the bars can be removed to create an infant bed.

Design

A real wood cot bed is an investment that can last for a long time and provide a secure environment for your child to grow and rest. They are de three mattress height positions, so that it can be used from birth right up until your child is four years old. It also has teething rails and is designed to withstand the tests of time thanks to its sturdy construction.

Check out the Little Interiors 1950s-inspired cot by Danish brand Done by Deer for a premium purchase that will last from infant to toddler. It's a unique piece that can be converted to a bed that is low-level for toddlers or a playhouse by taking out the bars for the cot. It was fairly easy to build and our testers loved the solid feel of it.

Safety

As parents you want your child to be safe at all times, and especially when asleep. A cot that is well-constructed will ensure that your baby is well-rested and comfy. It must also be free of hazards, like entrapment or suffocation. When you are looking for the ideal cot, consider the following safety features.

Make sure the cot is sturdy and sturdy and has no gaps between the bars. Check that the bars are not more than 95 millimetres apart. larger gaps could entrap your baby's head or arms. Make sure that the cot has enough depth to keep your child from escaping.

It should be placed away from power and heaters points, as they could cause overheating. It is also recommended to keep the cot clear of toys including stuffed animals, toys and other soft objects, which could pose an entrapment risk for your baby. Also, keep the cot clear of blinds and curtains that have cords that could pose strangulation hazards for your child.

Most new cots and cot beds have been tested and verified to be safe by experts in the field. However, some problems can arise after a product is placed on the market, so it's crucial to be aware of second-hand or heirloom beds that are older than the recommended. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 could have been painted with lead-based paint. Older stickers on the sides of the cot can peel off and pose a choking risk for babies. If you are thinking of buying a used cot, make sure that the mattress is brand new and is in compliance with British safety standards BS EN716.

If you're looking for a multi-purpose cot that can take your baby through the toddler years and beyond, this one from Stokke is worth a look. It's stylish, durable and solid with three different height levels that increase with your child before you can convert it into a bed. Our MFM testers reported that the instructions were "clear and simple to follow". It does not come with an actual mattress, but it can be adapted to a standard 120cm by 60cm mattress. A teething rail kit, and a storage drawer can be bought to complete 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 furniture that will last for a long time and endure the scuffs and scrapes of daily family life. Solid wood cot beds are usually made by hand, therefore you can be assured that you're getting a top-quality product that was crafted with the utmost care.

Another feature 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, which can be converted into a bed for toddlers or even a sofa bed so that your child can use it until he is six or seven years old. This is a great option to save money, and you won't need to purchase a new cot for your child if they outgrow their cot.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin solid-wood cot bed is one of our top picks. It has a lot of features that make it a good choice for any baby. It has a handy drawer, teething rails, and two different mattress height settings that can be adjusted as your child grows. It is also easy to put together and our test participants found it to be the easiest of all the crib beds we test.

Scandi Classic Cot Bed by Ickle Bubba is another solid-wood cot that's 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-year-olds. 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 a top priority when it comes to cot beds and all cots are required to comply with strict UK safety regulations. On the site of the manufacturer, you can find out the safety standards a cot must meet. Consult your physician for advice if you're not sure which type of cot is best for your child.