Buying guide: How to choose a baby cot bed and mattress
Discover everything you need to know about baby cot beds and mattresses.
One of the first and most important items you’ll need to purchase as a parent is a new bed for your baby. It’s where they’ll spend a good chunk of the first few years of their life (and, crucially, the first few months as per NHS advice), so we know it’s a decision you’ll want to get right.
There’s certainly no shortage of choice out there and it can be overwhelming to sift through when you’ve already got enough to think about during pregnancy.
That’s why we’re here—to help you find the best cot bed for your baby. Read on to discover all the considerations that come with the purchase, from mattress sizes to cot-to-bed transitions.
What is a cot bed and what are the various kinds?
Before we dive into what you need to think about when it comes to buying a baby bed, we need to define the various types. Each one plays a slightly different role in your baby’s life, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for and when.
What are the different types of baby bed?
Crib
A crib is a sturdier version of a Moses basket, but closer in design to a cot—it sits somewhere between the two. The needs of every child are different when it comes to changing beds, but most cribs can be used for around six months.
A co-sleeper is often referred to as a bedside crib option for parents who want their baby to sleep next to them without the risks that come with sharing a bed. Some designs allow you to attach the co-sleeper to the underside of your mattress, so it can be an extremely convenient option for those wake-up calls in the wee hours of the morning.
Moses basket
A Moses basket is a lightweight, wicker basket that can be great for the first few weeks or months of your baby’s life. Its lie-flat design means you can wrap your baby up and lay them down to rest after feeding or, indeed, overnight, or carry them around the house as you take the opportunity to grab some food for yourself.
Cot
A cot is a small baby bed with high sides that’s designed to keep your child safe and comfortable while sleeping during their first couple of years. Depending on your home setup, it can either be located in your bedroom or your baby’s nursery. The NHS advises that the safest place for your baby to sleep in their first six months is in your bedroom, whether it’s in a crib or a cot (many families opt for a crib or Moses basket instead of a full-sized cot in the bedroom).
Cot bed
A cot bed is like a cot, only bigger. While a cot can hold a 60x120cm mattress as standard, a cot bed is typically designed for 70x140cm mattresses. It is more versatile than a cot, since the sides can be removed when your child reaches the toddler years. A cot bed will generally last longer than a smaller cot—in most cases, up to the age of four—which can come with a more expensive price tag.
Travel cot
A travel cot does the job that a normal cot or crib does not—it allows for easy movement if you plan to be travelling around with your baby. It’s not designed to be a permanent baby bed for any stretch of time, of course, but it can be extremely useful for parents who are on the move a lot.
What to look for when buying a baby cot bed and mattress
You’d be forgiven for not really knowing where to start when it comes to buying a cot for your baby, but that’s where we come in. Here are all the important factors you’ll need to consider ahead of one of the most exciting purchases of your pregnancy.
Mattress
As with Moses baskets and cribs, you’ll need to ensure your baby has a comfortable mattress to sleep on while in the cot. Most models come with a mattress as standard, but you have the option to upgrade if you like. There are all sorts of options here, including sprung, anti-allergy, natural fibres and foam (although memory foam is not advised for very young children).
If you’re buying your own mattress separately, pay attention to the size and whether or not it’ll fit the cot you choose—you’ll want to avoid any sort of gap between the mattress and the bars to stop your baby getting stuck. As per NHS advice, if you’re borrowing a cot or using a second-hand one, it’s best to buy a new mattress to ensure it fits and is firm to the touch.
Tinies & Co’s Top Tip: Consider a waterproof cover for your mattress to help keep it clean and prolong its life
Age and development
The rapid change a young child goes through keeps every parent on their toes and baby beds are no exception. Think about how quickly your wee one might grow out of a cot—you might want to fork out a little extra for a cot bed that can be converted for a toddler when necessary. You also need to think about the height of the bars as they grow and an adjustable base that allows you to lower it when they start dreaming of a career in mountaineering.
Safety
The most important piece of safety information to look for on cots in the UK is the presence of a BS EN 716-1:2017, a British Standard for safety requirements for cots from the British Standards Institution (BSI). Most retailers will feature this on their product pages for new cots, so be sure to look out for it when you’re shopping around.
It’s also a good idea to consider the side rails, the gaps between them and whether or not they are removable when the time comes to convert the bed.
Practicality
Have a think about how practical you need your baby’s cot or cot bed to be around the home. Will you need to move it from room to room? Will you keep it beside your bed or in a dedicated nursery for your child? Are the dimensions right for where you want to keep it most of the time? Measure out the space and keep the dimensions to hand as you shop.
Budget
As with anything and everything related to having a baby, cost is a huge factor here. You’ll need to budget not only for your cot, but also a mattress, a pushchair, a car seat—the list goes on. Think about longevity and how much you’re prepared to spend versus how long you want the cot to last. As mentioned, a cot bed can last up to the age of four for your child, but can be more expensive for that reason.
Family plans
The type and size of cot you buy might also depend on your future plans as a family. If you’re planning to have another child, you might be happier to spend a bit more on a sturdier, longer-lasting cot that you can reuse.
When to buy a baby cot bed and mattress
Your baby should ideally be using a cot from day one when you get home, so it’s best to get a cot or cot bed and mattress sorted a few months before you give birth.
Most parents keep an eye out for sales or promotional periods (who doesn’t love a bargain?), but that might depend on your due date. It’s all very exciting, to say the least, so you’ll probably be starting your research as soon as you can to make sure you get the best value-for-money cot for your child.
When to move your baby from a cot to a bed
Every child is different in terms of growth and development, but there will come a time when yours will need to move from a cot to a bed. That’s why a lot of cot beds are convertible to allow an easy transition to toddlerhood.
After that, your child will be ready for their first proper bed, which, roughly speaking, will come between the ages of 18 months and 2.5 years. Going by height, it’s about the right time to make the move when your child hits 90cm.
How to buy a baby cot bed and mattress
When it comes down to it, there are a few things to check off your list before you buy to make sure you’re getting the right cot and mattress.
Don’t forget to compare the mattress options for each cot—you might want to check the dimensions if you want to upgrade from the retailer-issued mattress at a later date. You should also check for side bar removal and base adjustment to make sure you’re getting the most out of the cot you choose.
The dimensions are another important consideration, as you’ll no doubt have a specific place in mind for your cot. Think about whether or not you’ll want to move it around as well—a smaller, lightweight option might be best if you do, but don’t forget to weigh this up alongside how many years of use you want out of your cot.
Where can I buy a baby cot bed and mattress?
There are many options for baby beds available through our affiliate partners here at Tinies & Co. Explore a range of cots and cot beds in our comparison chart below to start your journey here.
Be sure to check that they comply with the necessary safety standards to give your little one a safe place to sleep. Any included mattress, for example, should have BS 1877-10:2011+A1:2012 on the label or in the instructions, while the cot itself should comply with British safety standard BS EN 716.
What to do when you’ve got a baby cot bed and mattress
You’ll no doubt be in the habit of keeping your receipts for anything you buy for your baby, so you should, of course, do the same when you buy a cot and a mattress. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s advice for assembly if relevant and also for proper safety and maintenance when you’re up and running with it.
Cot bed and mattress FAQs
What’s the difference between a cot and a Moses basket?
A Moses basket is typically used for being more mobile around the house with your newborn baby, while a cot is designed to be a more permanent sleeping space in a particular room.
Should a baby bed be used from birth?
Ideally, your baby will sleep in a Moses basket or crib for the first few months of their life and a cot for the year or two after that, depending on how quickly they grow. From birth, the NHS advises that the safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in their cot in the same room as you.
How do I check safety information for a cot bed?
Details about the safety of your cot will be available on the manufacturer’s website. You should look out for the BS EN 716-1:2017 from the BSI Group to ensure it’s up to safety standards in the UK.
What type of bedding is best for a baby cot?
Don’t use pillows and duvets in your baby’s cot—they put them at risk of suffocation or overheating. Instead, you can use a baby sleeping bag or tuck sheets and blankets in no higher than shoulder height while in the cot.
When do I take the sides off a cot bed?
Many cot beds have removable sides that are designed to make the transition from baby to toddler easier for young ones and parents alike. They can be removed at the onset of the toddler years to allow you to get more life out of your child’s bed.
