How to Choose a Cot or Cot Bed for Your Baby

Choosing where your baby will sleep can feel like a bigger decision than you expected. Cots come in different sizes, cot beds promise years of use, and shops are full of mattresses, bumpers and accessories that can make the basics surprisingly difficult to see.

For most parents, the important things are much simpler. Choose a cot or cot bed that meets the relevant safety standard, has a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress with a waterproof cover, fits safely into the room where your baby will sleep and can be kept clear of unnecessary items.

You do not need an elaborate sleep set-up. The Lullaby Trust advises that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket, in the same room as their parent or carer for at least the first six months.

Cot or cot bed: what is the difference?

A standard cot is designed specifically as a baby’s sleep space.

A cot bed is usually larger and designed to convert from a cot into a toddler-style bed later. Depending on the model, this may involve removing the cot sides and changing parts of the frame.

The main attraction of a cot bed is longevity. If you have enough space, buying one piece of furniture that can be adapted later may be convenient.

A standard cot can make more sense if:

Your bedroom or nursery is small
You need something more compact
You expect to move the cot between rooms
You do not need a convertible bed later

A cot bed may appeal if:

You have enough floor space
You want furniture that can be adapted as your child grows
You prefer to avoid buying a separate toddler bed later
You are happy with a larger piece of furniture

Neither is automatically safer or better because of the name. The product itself, mattress, condition, assembly and way you use it matter.

Check the safety standard

Safety should come before colour, storage drawers or matching nursery furniture.

The Lullaby Trust recommends checking that cots and travel cots meet BS EN 716-1:2017. A relevant British Standard indicates that a product has passed specified safety tests.

Look for the standard on the cot itself, packaging, instructions or manufacturer’s product information.

If you cannot find clear information about the applicable safety standard, ask the retailer or manufacturer before buying.

This is particularly important when shopping online, where products from many different markets may appear alongside one another.

Choose the mattress with the cot

The mattress is just as important as the frame.

The Lullaby Trust recommends a mattress that is:

Firm
Completely flat
Waterproof or fitted with a waterproof cover
In good condition
A good fit for the sleep space

Avoid soft mattresses and products with cushioned, padded or raised areas around the baby.

A mattress should fit the cot properly without concerning gaps around the edges. The simplest way to avoid compatibility problems is to check the exact mattress dimensions specified by the cot manufacturer rather than buying one that merely looks approximately right.

The Lullaby Trust lists BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021 as the relevant standard for mattresses for cots, travel cots and cribs, alongside BS 7177:2008+A1:2011 for mattresses.

Do you need an expensive mattress?

A higher price does not replace the basic safety requirements.

For safer sleep, focus on whether the mattress is firm, flat, waterproof and correctly fitted to the cot. Those points matter more than marketing language about luxury fillings or specialist features.

Be cautious with products that make claims about reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. The Lullaby Trust states that no product can reduce the risk of SIDS and advises parents to follow evidence-based safer sleep guidance instead.

You also do not need to make a firm cot mattress feel softer by adding padding. Extra soft layers can make the sleep surface unsuitable.

Measure the room before buying

Cot beds can be surprisingly large once assembled.

Before ordering, check the product’s external dimensions rather than looking only at the mattress size. Then measure the space where you intend to put it.

Think about:

Whether it fits comfortably beside your bed if used there
Whether doors can open fully
Whether drawers can still be accessed
Whether you can reach the cot easily
Whether there is enough room to move around it
Whether the cot will eventually move to another room
Whether the assembled cot can fit through your doorways if you plan to move it

If your bedroom is small, a more compact sleep space may be useful initially.

The safest place for your baby is in the same room as you for at least the first six months, according to The Lullaby Trust. Planning for where the cot will actually stand during that period can be more useful than designing the nursery around where you expect it to go later.

Think carefully about where the cot will stand

The position of the cot matters as your baby becomes more mobile.

The Lullaby Trust advises keeping sleep spaces away from hazards including radiators, direct sunlight and blind cords.

Look around the proposed cot position before assembling anything.

Keep it away from:

Blind and curtain cords
Radiators and other heat sources
Direct sunlight that could make the sleep space too warm
Furniture that could create hazards
Cables or items a baby may eventually be able to reach

Remember that a baby who cannot currently roll, sit or reach beyond the cot will not stay at that developmental stage. Arrange the surrounding area with future movement in mind.

Adjustable mattress heights can be useful

Many cots and cot beds have more than one mattress-base position.

A higher position can make it easier for a parent to place a small baby into the cot without bending as far. The mattress base then needs to be lowered according to the manufacturer’s instructions as the baby develops and becomes more mobile.

Do not decide when to lower the mattress based on a general age recommendation. Babies develop at different rates, and cot designs differ.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions before use so you understand when each mattress height is permitted.

If you receive a second-hand cot without its manual, try to obtain the original instructions from the manufacturer.

Drop sides and bedside access

Older cots sometimes have sides designed to drop down fully.

The Lullaby Trust states that bedside cribs manufactured since 2020 should meet BS EN 1130:2019, and that cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down.

If you are considering an older or second-hand product, this is one reason to check the exact model, instructions and applicable safety standard carefully.

Do not remove cot sides, modify mechanisms or improvise ways to attach a standard cot to an adult bed unless the product is specifically designed and approved to be used that way.

Keep the cot clear

A beautifully styled cot in a showroom may contain far more than a baby actually needs.

The Lullaby Trust’s advice is simple: the safest cot is a clear cot.

It advises against putting items such as these into a baby’s sleep space:

Pillows
Duvets
Cot bumpers
Soft toys and comforters
Weighted or bulky bedding
Pods and nests
Wedges, straps and sleep positioners
Rolled towels or other soft additions placed on the mattress

A clear cot with a suitable mattress and appropriate bedding may look less decorative than nursery photographs online, but the cot’s purpose is to provide a safer place for your baby to sleep.

Decorations can go elsewhere in the room.

Do you need cot bumpers?

No. Cot bumpers are not recommended for safer sleep.

The Lullaby Trust advises keeping bumpers out of a baby’s cot. As babies become more mobile, bumpers can also create risks involving ties, fabric and climbing.

You may see mesh, padded and decorative versions sold alongside cots, but the fact that an accessory is available to buy does not mean it is recommended for your baby’s sleep space.

The simplest approach is to keep the inside of the cot clear.

What about storage drawers under a cot bed?

An under-cot drawer can be useful in a small room, but it is a convenience feature rather than an essential one.

If you want storage, check:

Whether the drawer is included or sold separately
How far it needs to pull out
Whether your room has enough clearance
Whether it moves independently of the mattress base
Whether the cot can still be converted as intended
What the manufacturer permits you to store in it

If you do not need the storage, there is little reason to choose one cot over another solely because it has a drawer.

Should you buy a cot bed that converts?

A convertible cot bed can be good value if you genuinely expect to use the later configurations.

Before paying extra, check exactly what “convertible” means for that model.

Ask:

What does it convert into?
Are all conversion parts included?
Will you need to store spare rails or panels for several years?
Does the same mattress remain suitable?
Are additional pieces required later?
What are the manufacturer’s limits for each configuration?

Keep the instructions and any unused conversion pieces somewhere safe. A feature that depends on a missing rail or fitting will not be very useful several years later.

Can you buy a second-hand cot?

A second-hand cot can reduce the cost of preparing for a baby, but it needs careful checking.

The Lullaby Trust strongly recommends that second-hand sleep products meet the relevant British Standards.

Before using a second-hand cot:

Identify the manufacturer and exact model if possible.
Check the applicable safety standard.
Find the original assembly instructions.
Make sure all screws, fixings and components are present.
Check that the frame is sturdy and undamaged.
Look for broken, loose or modified parts.
Check that any mechanisms work exactly as intended.
Check for product recalls or safety notices.
Make sure the mattress is the correct size.
Do not make improvised repairs or modifications.

If you cannot establish what the cot is, how it should be assembled or whether important parts are missing, choosing another one is sensible.

Should you reuse a cot mattress?

The Lullaby Trust generally recommends buying a new mattress for each baby where possible, while recognising that this is not always possible.

If you use a second-hand mattress, its guidance says it should have a well-fitting waterproof cover, be free from rips, tears and water damage, remain firm and flat without sagging, fit the cot well without gaps and have a fire-resistant label.

A mattress that has become soft, misshapen or damaged should not be made usable with toppers or extra padding.

If you are buying a second-hand cot but replacing the mattress, check the manufacturer’s specified mattress dimensions before ordering the replacement.

What about bedside cribs?

A bedside crib is a different product from a standard cot or cot bed and has its own safety considerations.

The Lullaby Trust lists BS EN 1130:2019 as the relevant safety standard for bedside cribs manufactured since 2020.

If you are considering one, check:

That it meets the relevant standard
How it attaches or sits beside the adult bed
Which adult beds it is compatible with
The mattress specifications
How and when the sides can be adjusted
The manufacturer’s size and developmental limits

Do not assume that a standard cot can be converted into a bedside crib by removing one side.

Do you need a cot before your baby is born?

You need a suitable safe sleep space ready for your baby, but that does not necessarily have to be a full-size cot.

The Lullaby Trust lists a cot, crib, Moses basket or suitable carrycot among possible separate sleep spaces, provided the product is appropriate and safer sleep guidance is followed.

Some families use a smaller sleep space in their bedroom initially and move to a larger cot later. Others have room for a cot from the beginning.

Your available space, budget and chosen products will affect what works best.

The priority is not creating a finished nursery by a deadline. It is having an appropriate sleep space ready and knowing how to use it safely.

A simple cot and cot bed checklist

Before buying, check:

Does the cot meet the relevant British safety standard?
Is it the right size for the room where my baby will initially sleep?
Can I position it away from obvious hazards?
Is the frame sturdy and well made?
Are the assembly instructions clear?
Does it have adjustable mattress positions, and do I understand when to use them?
What exact mattress size does it require?
Is the mattress firm, flat and waterproof?
Does the mattress fit the cot correctly?
Does the mattress meet the relevant safety standard?
Can the cot be kept completely clear of unnecessary accessories?
If it converts, are all the necessary parts included?
If it is second-hand, can I verify its model, condition and safety information?

Once those basics are covered, features such as colour, storage and conversion options can be decided according to your space and budget.

A cot does not need to be complicated. Safe, correctly assembled and suitable for your baby’s sleep is what matters most.

When to get professional advice

If you are unsure whether a cot, mattress or sleep product is suitable, check the manufacturer’s instructions and current safer sleep guidance before using it. The Lullaby Trust provides evidence-based safer sleep information, while your midwife or health visitor can help with questions about your baby’s individual needs.

If your baby was born prematurely, has reflux, a medical condition or has been given specific positioning advice, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional before changing their sleep position or modifying the cot or mattress. The Lullaby Trust advises against tilting or propping a baby’s mattress for reflux unless a healthcare professional has given specific advice.

If you have concerns about your baby’s breathing, health or wellbeing during sleep, seek advice from your health visitor, GP or another qualified healthcare professional. For urgent concerns, follow current NHS guidance on getting medical help.