When planning your baby's sleep space, you'll often be faced with a choice: cot or cotbed. But what exactly is the difference? At Naturalmat Baby we've been hand-making natural and organic nursery mattresses for over 20 years to fit a variety of sizes including cots and cotbeds.
So, What's The Difference?
The key difference between cots and cotbeds is size. Cots generally measure 65cm x 125cm (with a 60cm x 120cm mattress), and cotbeds measure 75cm x 145cm (with a 70cm x 140cm mattress).
Depending on the child, a cot can last between 2-3 years before your little one grows out of it. With an extra 10cm of mattress length, a cotbed could last your child up to 4 years.
Some cots and cotbeds, including the Leander Linea, have a height-adjustable mattress base and removable side rails. You can bring your little one closer to you by raising the mattress base, and you can lower the base for safety reasons once they've learned how to stand. The removable side rails then allow you to start building an independent bedtime routine, granting them the independence to get in and out of bed on their own.
The Stokke Sleepi Mini and the Leander Classic also have removable side rails and an adjustable mattress base, and can extend to accommodate your child from birth all the way up to five years.
Which Is Better For Me?
Depending on your situation, you might be better suited to a cot or a cotbed. For example, if you're considering sharing a room with your baby, you might prefer the slightly smaller cot option. By the same token, if your little one's nursery is on the smaller side, you might want to consider a cot.
However, if you have the space you could start them off in a cotbed, which could last them up to a year more than a cot before they outgrow it. Shop our range of sustainable cots and cotbeds to find the perfect option for your little one's sleep space.
