Cots, Cotbeds and Cribs - my current favourites
I don’t know about you, but I always find that I want to get organised in January; I guess it’s something about the New Year and starting fresh. If 2024 is the year that you are going to be bringing your new baby home, getting ready and choosing the essential kit that you need may now be at the forefront of your mind.
What are the differences between a cot, cotbed and crib?
Cots (sometimes referred to as mini cotbeds) and cotbeds are the same practically but the difference comes in their sizes; usually 120cm x 60cm vs. 140cm x 70cm. Typically both options have 3 base heights to allow you to drop the mattress down lower as your baby gets bigger and more mobile. There certainly seem to be more cotbed options out there than cots currently.
Cots are perfect for smaller spaces. Back in the day when I was working for Mamas and Papas, cotbeds had the additional benefit of being able to convert into a toddler bed when needed. However, as you’ll see below, many cots now have this feature too.
Cribs (including bedside cribs and moses baskets) are the perfect first bed for your little one, with options ranging from simple sleepers to fancy, high-tech models that claim to aid better sleep. While luxury cribs might seem like a tempting investment, spending over £1,000 for the latest and greatest unfortunately doesn't guarantee a good night's sleep. If money is no object then it could be worth trying, but if not, then I think that money could be better spent elsewhere.
Continuing my series of current favourite products, here are some of the cots, cotbeds and cribs that have caught my eye.
Cots/Mini Cotbeds
Rafa Rocking Baby Cot super modern design - £932.00
beautiful unique design
clever rocking feature using the wheels
smaller cot size but still converts into a toddler bed
matching furniture available
Stokke Sleepi Mini V3 a beautiful design which grows with your child - £335.00
grows with your child from newborn to approx. 5 years with the addition of an extender kit
swivel wheels to move easily from space to space, or simply to help rock baby to sleep
a timeless design classic
Mokee Mini Cot Bed converts into a toddler bed - currently on sale at £224.00
Great value
suitable from birth to approx. 3 years
7 base positions
gorgeous colours to choose from
Cotbeds
Kalon Caravan Crib one of my all time favourites - £2,300.00
a modern heirloom
made of white oak; other wood finishes available (prices vary)
made by a small team of highly skilled craftspeople in Germany
converts to a toddler bed if conversion kit selected
can also be used as daybed seating in years to come
Mamas and Papas Melfi Cotbed gorgeous colour! - £460.00
converts into a beautiful toddler bed
on trend colour
matching furniture available
Obaby Maya Scandi Cotbed great toddler bed option - currently on sale at £272.00
Made For Mums gold award 2022
great dual ended toddler rail included for transition to bed
other colour options available
coordinating furniture
Cribs
These smaller options are ideal for use in your own bedroom for up to the baby’s first 6 months. Every baby is different so it is important to monitor them and look to move your baby into something larger to sleep in when they become more mobile (and before they can sit up unaided).
Moses baskets and cribs with a detachable bassinet layer are also brilliant for giving you the option to settle your baby down to sleep in other rooms in the house during the day too.
Bedside cribs are great for having the baby safely sleeping as close to you as possible. If you are purchasing a second hand* bedside crib it is important to note that British safety standards were updated in 2020. All bedside cribs should now meet the updated crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019, meaning cribs/cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down. They must now have a 12cm barrier when in bedside mode.
Gaia Baby Hera Bedside Crib crafted in real wood - currently on sale at £239.99
Junior Design Awards winner 2022
natural ash and walnut finish
(other finish available)
comes with mattress included
integrated “no tools” reflux adjustment
crib top lifts off easily and removable castors ensure easy mobility
drop down sides
coordinates with other products in Hera range
SnuzPod4 Bedside Crib the UK’s best selling bedside crib - currently on sale from £169.95
Junior Design Awards winner 2021
comes with the mattress included
ComfortAir™ technology to help regulate
baby’s temperature through air vents and mesh fabrics
zip-down wall and mesh liner to be closer to your baby
lift off bassinet to easily move around the house for day and night sleeps
option to use a reflux leg to raise one end of the crib and help ease symptoms
plenty of colour options to choose from
Little Green Sheep Moses Basket beautiful organic quilted liner - currently on sale at £124.95
Mother & Baby Awards winner 2020
comes with mattress and static stand (rocking stand £5 extra)
100% certified organic cotton lining
lightweight; perfect for moving around the house dependant on where you would like your baby to sleep during the day and night
lots of colour options
* When purchasing any second hand item for your baby to sleep in it is always recommended to buy a new mattress to use. Check out The Lullaby Trust’s guide to buying safer sleep essentials here.
(Prices correct at time of publishing blog post)