COTS, COTBEDS AND NOVELTY BEDS

• What are cots, cot beds and novelty beds?
• Do I need one?
• What to look for
• Test results in brief
• Test results in full

What are cots, cotbeds and novelty beds?

Although some parents like their newborn baby to start off sleeping in a small crib, cradle or Moses basket, all babies will ultimately need a cot. A cot is designed to provide a safe sleeping environment for a baby. 

A cotbed is designed to work first as a cot and then later to convert into a toddler-sized bed. 

A novelty bed is a bed designed specifically for young children – shaped and coloured for fun – and meant to aid transition from a cot into a traditional adult bed.

Do I need one?

Every child needs a cot if they are to sleep safely.

Cotbeds are not essential, but can aid transition from cot to bed and allows one purchase to be of use for longer than a simple cot. The disadvantage of a cotbed is that they are slightly bigger and not quite so cosy for a young baby and if you have a second child before your first has finished with the cotbed you may have to buy another cot for your new baby. 

A novelty bed is far from essential but can be great fun and provide a safer transition from cot to full-sized bed.

What to look for

Cots should conform to British Standard EN 716 which checks design features are safe (such as the distance between the cot bars and the materials used in construction) – so check for the kitemark.

A cot should be robust once assembled and should not wobble. Mattresses are always sold separately and must be the correct size for the cot to ensure the baby cannot injure himself.

Features vary but may include:

• Drop sides to allow the parent easier access to the baby – some can be operated with one hand.
• Adjustable mattress height – so the sleeping area can be raised high for easy access to a small baby and dropped low to prevent more mobile toddlers from climbing out. Some adjust to allow baby to be held as a slight angle which can be useful if the baby is suffering from a cold or is particularly sicky.
• Casters – to aid manoeuvrability.
• Storage areas below.
• Play features – such as integral beads.
• Protective teething rails – to prevent teething toddlers damaging the rails by chewing on them.

A cotbed may have some or all of the same features as a traditional cot. It is generally a little bigger than a cot and converts into a junior-sized bed which should be suitable for a child up to the age of about six.

Test results in brief:

Cots:

• Jack Horner Deluxe or Elite Corner Cot
• Saplings Simple Jennifer Cot
• Brio Bedside Cot
• Ikea Gulliver Cot

Cotbeds:

• Babies R Us Strasbourg Cotbed
• Saplings Victoria Cotbed

Novelty beds:

• Early Learning Centre Snooze and Cruise Toddler Bed
• Little Tikes Cosy Cottage Toddler Bed