Choosing a Real Wood Cot Bed

A solid wooden cot bed is a wise investment for your little one A high-quality piece will last until the time they begin school (insert crying emoji here). This Scandi-style bed has three mattress positions and can be converted into a toddler bed with the appropriate extension kit.

Our panel took about an hour to construct, and the sides are low enough to make washing easy. Our testers were impressed by this simple traditional design.

Material

A solid wood cot-bed is an elegant piece of furniture for your nursery that can be treasured for years. It will also be able stand up to the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with family life. However, choosing the right one is difficult with the many options and styles available.

The best cot beds made of wood are made from strong, durable materials such as mahogany or pine. To guard them from water damage, they should be sanded and painted or stained using paint safe for children. The mattress should be placed snugly, and labelled with the name of the manufacturer and the size. Your child's safety is paramount. Make sure that the crib you choose is in line with the latest British safety standards as well as European safety standards. It should be approved by a renowned laboratory.

There are cot beds that satisfy every budget and taste, whether you prefer a classic sleigh or a more modern. The Silver Cross Nostalgia is a stunning option that provides top quality and practicality, with a timeless design to match. It is built 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.

Another alternative is the Mamas & Papas Franklin cot bed, which offers plenty of extra features to keep your baby entertained and comfortable. It has a handy drawer beneath to keep nappies and blankets in as well as teething rails. It also has an adjustable height base with three positions. It's also easy to assemble 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 are on a budget, the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is a great choice. It comes in stylish off-white or green and costs just PS372. It is the standard cot bed and comes with an adjustable height base that lets you lower the bed as your child grows. It's also suitable for use from birth until the time your child is four and can be used with the bars removed to create the appearance of a bench-style toddler's bed.

Design

A real dark wood sleigh cot bed cot bed is an investment that will last for a long time and provide a secure environment for your child to grow and rest. They are durable and versatile and can be adapted to meet your child's evolving requirements with a variety of mattress heights. They're also a stylish choice for any nursery, and blend into the furniture.

Before purchasing a wooden cot, it's important to think about your style and design. Some are more modern, while others are more traditional in design. Some are constructed from solid wood while others are made from composite materials such as MDF. Solid-wood cot beds are more expensive, however they are sturdier and more durable than MDF models.

The best wooden cot bed design cots are built to last for a long time, and some of them even convert into a toddler's bed. A good example is the Stokke Home Bed, which transforms from a cot to a junior bed and then it transforms into a chic sofa. It is also available with extras such as the tent cover that can give your child opportunities to role-play and a changing tray to provide the convenience of a nappy area.

The Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot is another great alternative. It is made of FSC Pine and finished with a neutral white and wooden cot bed or beige. It's a great choice for a neutral nursery, and it's easy to put together - our panel took just an hour to get it up and running. This cot does not come with an included mattress, so you'll need to buy one separately.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly cot that isn't compromising on quality, you can choose the Elementary cot bed from John Lewis' Anyday range. It's simple to put together and comes with three mattress height settings so it can be used by your child from birth until they are four years old. It also includes teething rails and is designed to withstand the tests of time thanks to its robust construction.

For a top-quality purchase that will last from infant to toddler, check out the Little Interiors 1950s inspired cot from Danish brand Done by Deer. It's an original piece that can be turned into a low-level bed for toddlers or a playhouse simply by taking out the bars that hold the cot. It was easy to set up and our testers loved its solid feel.

Safety

As parents as parents, you want your child to be safe throughout the day, particularly when they are asleep. A cot that is safe and secure will ensure that your child is secure and well-rested. It should also be free from dangers like entrapment and suffocation. When looking for the perfect cot, consider the following safety features.

Ensure the cot is solid and sturdy and there are no gaps between the bars. Make sure the bars are not more than 95 mm apart - bigger gaps could trap your baby's head or arms. Make sure the cot has enough depth to keep your child from escaping.

It should also be kept away from heaters, windows and power points which could pose the danger of overheating. You should also keep the cot clear of toys such as stuffed animals, toys and other soft items which can be an entrapment risk for your child. Also, keep your single cot bed teak wood free of blinds and curtains with cords. They could cause strangulation for your child.

Experts in the field test and confirm that the majority of new cots or cribs, cot beds or cribs are safe. Some issues can arise after a product has been placed on the market. It is essential to be wary of antique or second-hand cots that might be older than the recommended. Cots manufactured prior to 1973 may be painted with toxic leaded paint, and the old stickers on the side may peel off and create dangerous for babies to eat. If you're considering a second-hand cot, make sure that the mattress is brand new and meets British safety standards BS EN716.

This multifunctional cot from Stokke will take you through the toddler years of your baby and beyond. It is elegant, durable and sturdy, with three different height levels that will increase with your child before it can be converted into a bed. It's easy to construct, with our MFM test participants praising the instructions for being "clear and easy to follow". It doesn't include the mattress, but it can be fitted to a standard 120cm by 60cm mattress. You can also buy teething rail kits 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. This means you'll get furniture that will last for a long time and be able to endure the scuffs and scrapes of everyday family life. Solid wood cots are usually made by hand, which means you'll know you're getting a piece that is of the highest quality and is carefully crafted.

Solid-wood cots are also notable for their ability to be transformed into other furniture for the nursery. This is especially true of the Boori Evolution furniture range, which can be transformed into a toddler's bed, or even a sofa-bed, so that your child will be able to use it until they are six or seven years old. This gives you great value for money and means that you don't need to buy a new cot once your child starts to outgrow it.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin is one of the top solid-wood cribs we've tested and it has a host of extra features to make it a great choice 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 incredibly easy to put together, and our testers found it to be the easiest of all the cot beds we test.

Another solid-wood cot that's perfect for any nursery is the Scandi Classic Cot Bed from Ickle Bubba. It's a beautiful piece with rounded corners that look great in any room. It's suitable from newborns to three years old. It can be used as a cot, a toddler bed or junior bed, and can be customised with various accessories to suit your personal style.

Safety is of course the most important factor when it comes to cot beds and all cots have to comply with strict UK safety regulations. You can get details on the safety standards that a specific cot has to be able to comply with by reading the key specs on the website of the manufacturer. Ask your healthcare professional to help you decide which type of cot is the best fit for your child.