Choosing a real wood cot bed (her comment is here)

A real wood cot-bed is an investment in your child's future. A quality piece of furniture should last until they start the school (insert the crying emoticon). This Scandi-style model features 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 allow for easy washing. Our testers were impressed by this simple traditional design.

Material

A solid wood crib is a timeless piece nursery furniture that can be kept for a long time. It will also be able to withstand the bumps and bruises that happen in family life. However, picking the right one is difficult due to the numerous styles and features on offer.

The best wood cot bed is constructed of sturdy solid, durable materials like mahogany or pine. To protect them from water damage, they must be sanded and painted or stained using paint safe for children. The mattress should be fitted snugly, and labelled with the name of the manufacturer and the size. The safety of your child is paramount, so make sure that the cot you pick is in line with the most recent British and European safety standards. It must be approved by an internationally renowned laboratory.

There are cot beds to meet the needs of all budgets and tastes regardless of whether you prefer traditional sleighs or a more modern. Silver Cross Nostalgia offers premium quality, functionality and an elegant design. It's designed to last until your toddler is ready for bed and can be made into an adult bed with the help of an optional set.

Another alternative is the Mamas & Papas Franklin cot bed, which comes with plenty of extra features to keep your baby entertained and comfortable. It has a useful drawer beneath to store blankets and nappies, teething rails, and an adjustable height base with three positions. It is also simple to assemble, and it has a long-lasting lifespan. When you buy an expansion kit, you can convert it into a bed for toddlers.

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

Design

A real wood cot bed is an investment that will last for a long time and provide a safe space for your child to grow and sleep. They are durable and versatile and can be adjusted to meet your child's evolving needs with a variety of mattress base heights. They are also a stylish option for any nursery since they blend in with your other furniture.

There are many different kinds of wooden cot beds, and it is essential to think about your style and decor before purchasing one. Some are more modern, while others are more traditional in design. Some are made from solid wood and others are made using composite materials like MDF. Solid-wood cots cost more but can be more durable and robust than MDF models.

The best wooden cots will last for a long time, and some can even be transformed into a bed for toddlers. One example is the Stokke Home Bed, which converts from a cot into a junior bed and then it transforms into a chic sofa. It is also available with additional features, such as an outdoor cover that gives your child the chance to play with their role, and a changing tray to provide an easy nappy station.

Another great option is an alternative is the Mamas & Papas Sleigh Cot constructed from FSC pine and finished in neutral white and wooden cot bed or soft beige. It is a good option for a nursery with neutral colors. It is also simple to put together. Our panel took only an hour to put together. This cot does not come with mattresses, so you'll need to purchase one separately.

If you're looking to buy a budget-friendly cot that doesn't compromise on quality, you can better off with the Elementary cot bed from John Lewis' Anyday range. It's easy to set up and includes three mattress height positions so that it can be used from birth up until your child is four. It also includes teething rails and is designed to stand up to the test of time with a robust construction.

Take a look at the Little Interiors 1950s-inspired cot by Danish brand Done by Deer for a high-end product that lasts from baby to toddler. It's a unique piece that can be converted to a bed that is low-level for toddlers or even a playhouse by removing the cot bars. It was fairly simple to construct and our test subjects really appreciated the sturdy feel of it.

Safety

As parents, you'll want to ensure your baby is secure at all times. This is especially important when they're sleeping. A good cot will ensure that your baby is well-rested and comfortable. It should also be free from hazards, like entrapment or suffocation. When you are searching for the ideal cot, ensure that you are looking for the following safety features:

Check that the bars aren't more than 95 millimetres apart. Verify that the bars don't exceed 95 millimetres. Wider gaps could restrict your baby's arms or head. Also, ensure there's enough depth in the cot to keep your baby from escaping.

It should also be kept away from heaters, windows and power points that could put your baby at the risk of overheating. Make sure that the cot is free of soft toys, stuffed animal and other items that can suffocate your baby. Also, ensure that your cot is free of curtains and blinds that have cords. These could cause strangulation for your child.

Experts in the industry test and confirm that the majority of new cots as well as cribs and cot beds are safe. However, some issues emerge when a product goes on the market, therefore it's crucial to be aware of second-hand or heirloom cribs that are older than recommended. Cots manufactured before 1973 could be painted with harmful lead paint, and the old stickers on the side could peel off and cause a choking hazard for babies. If you're considering buying an old cot, be sure that the mattress is new and is in compliance with British safety standards BS EN716.

This multi-functional cot by 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 expand with your child before it can be converted into an actual bed. It's easy to construct and has our MFM test participants praising the instructions for being "clear and easy to follow". It does not come with an actual mattress, but it can be adapted to an existing 120cm x 60cm mattress. You can also purchase 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. Furniture made of solid wood will last a long time and can withstand the bumps and scrapes that come with everyday family life. wooden folding cot bed cots made of solid wood are often made by hand, so you know that you're getting something that is of the highest quality and is carefully crafted.

Solid-wood cots are also noted for their ability to be converted into other furniture for 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 can use it until he is seven or six years old. This is a great value for money and also means that you don't need to buy a brand new cot once your child begins to outgrow it.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin is one of the best solid-wood cribs we've tried, and it has a host of additional features that work to make it a great option for any baby. It comes with a useful drawer, teething rails and two mattress base height settings that can be adjusted as your child grows. It's also extremely easy to put together, and our testers found it to be the easiest of all of the cot beds that we tested.

Another solid wood cot bed-wood cot that's perfect for any nursery is the Scandi Classic Cot Bed from Ickle Bubba. It's a gorgeous piece of furniture with rounded edges that look lovely in any room and is suitable for newborns as young as three years old. It can be used as a cot toddler bed or junior bed, and can be customized with various accessories to suit your preferences.

Safety is of course the most important factor when it comes cot beds and all cots are required to comply with strict UK safety regulations. On the manufacturer's site you can read about the safety standards that a cot must meet. If you're not sure what kind of cot bed is safest for your child, talk to your doctor for advice.