When it comes to giving your baby the best that sleep offers, the cot is one vital piece of furniture with many variations to suit your baby’s every sleep need. In this article, we’ll take you through all the different types of cots to broaden your horizons from everybody’s old traditional cot.
As the years have progressed, so have the variations of cots available on the market. Let’s take a thorough look at the different cots on offer.
In This Article
- Standard Crib Cot
- Travel Cot
- Portable Crib Cot
- Mini Crib Cot
- Convertible Crib Cot
- Sleigh Cot Bed
- Co-sleeper Cot
- Cocoon Cot
- Drop-side Crib Cot
- Bassinet Cot
- Rocking Cot
- Canopy Crib Cot
- What To Consider When Choosing A Cot?
1. Standard Crib Cot
We have the classic, standard cot to start our list of different cots. This is a traditional type of cot made from any material, such as wood or steel. The average cot in Australia is rectangular, typically 147 cm long by 71 cm wide.
You can expect your standard baby cot to be more pricey because of the sturdy materials and design. However, this also means they should last for a long time. Due to most of them being compliant with the Australian standards for baby cots, they’re easily accessible.
Pros:
- Easily accessible – The standard cot can be found in almost every store.
- Durability – The robust materials make this cot able to withstand a lot of use.
Cons:
- Weight – Standard cots made of wood are heavier and difficult to move.
2. Travel Cot
This is the lightest cot you’ll find on the market. Its strategic design aims to be the most accessible and convenient cot to take anywhere you need it to go. They’re easy to set up and collapse, and the best part is they pack into a small carry bag or in your backpack or suitcase.
To ensure your baby’s safety while in use, the cot’s mattress is placed on the floor for extra stability.
Pros:
- Lightweight – This cot is easy to transport and use wherever you are.
Cons:
- Durability – Due to the nature of the materials used to make this cot, it definitely won’t last as long as other cots.
3. Portable Crib Cot
Any cot on wheels is what we refer to as a portable cot. For example, a travel cot could be considered a portable cot, but it’s usually a lot more lightweight. Portable cots come in a host of variations. For example, some might be able to fold while others only move on wheels.
In the selection of baby cribs, the portable mini cot is also available. Most mini cots would fall into a variation of the portable cot, as its size and ability to move around quickly make it a trendy choice with parents and caregivers.
Pros:
- Versatility – Portable cribs are great for parents wanting to move their sleeping baby around.
Cons:
- Durability – Made with lighter materials, these cribs are less durable.
4. Mini Crib Cot
The mini cot is the firm favourite among parents because its size makes it fit in the most convenient places and is a brilliant way to save space. The only catch with these little cots is they can only be used while your baby is tiny.
The sleep space is shorter and thinner, so your baby will outgrow it quicker. So, while it adds the convenience of saving space around the house, it lacks the convenience of growing with your child.
Pros:
- Lightweight – Mini cots can be moved anywhere in the house thanks to their light weight.
- Saves space – Mini cots are ideal for smaller apartments.
Cons:
- Limited size – Your child will outgrow this crib quicker than other cots.
5. Convertible Crib Cot
We have the most versatile and popular cot: the convertible crib. This cot is so popular because of its practicality of being able to grow with your child. All can grow into a toddler bed, but some can also convert to a full size bed for children and even adults! The three most common types of convertible crib have been detailed below:
- 2-in-1 convertible crib:
This cot transforms from a baby crib into one type of toddler bed, which can also be used as a daybed.
- 3-in-1 convertible crib:
The 3-in-1 convertible baby cot can convert into two types of beds: a toddler bed or daybed and a twin-size bed. This will vary from cot to cot, so check the specifications to see what you want before purchasing.
- 4-in-1 convertible crib:
This type of convertible cot transforms from a cot into three different types of beds, including a toddler bed and an adult bed. This bed is so convenient; it is the only bed your child ever needs as they grow.
Pros:
- Versatile – Convertible cribs can grow with your child, from toddler beds to adult bed frames.
- Cost-effective – You won’t have to keep replacing your baby’s sleep space with a bigger bed.
Cons:
- Boring – Your child might not want the same bed style from infancy to adolescence.
6. Sleigh Crib Cot
These types of baby cots are becoming increasingly popular because of their unique design. They look like a sleigh and use solid headboards and footboards instead of standard bed frames and slats. Unfortunately, this makes these beds a bit more expensive than your standard cots.
Pros:
- Aesthetic – It’s a beautiful cot to have in the room.
- Sturdy – Generally made from solid wood, the sleigh cot is extremely heavy and sturdy.
Cons:
- Weight – It’s cumbersome, so constructing and moving the cot requires much effort.
- Expensive – These cots usually cost a lot as they use solid wooden slats.
7. Co-sleeper Crib Cot
Co-sleeper cots are an innovative and compact design that allows parents and caregivers to co-sleep as a much safer alternative to bed-sharing. This crib only has three sides, so it can be placed right next to the side of the parent’s bed to allow easy access to the baby during the night.
Most co-sleeper cots also have a zip function, so you can zip up the side when you want to have all four sides of the cot intact. Most co-sleepers also include a function where the level of the cot mattress is adjustable to fit easily against any full size bed.
Pros:
- Convenience – It allows you easy access to your baby at nighttime.
Cons:
- Safety – There’s a chance a baby could roll out of the co-sleeper, so carers and parents must ensure it is snugly fit next to the adult bed.
8. Cocoon Crib Cot
The cocoon cot is one of the most innovative designs of cots in recent years. It’s similar to a convertible crib, which grows with your baby. But instead of converting to another bed, it transforms into tables and chairs for your child to sit at and enjoy.
It converts from a small, round bassinet to an oval cot to a junior bed and then a set of chairs and a table in its final transition.
Pros:
- Extremely Versatile – This is more than a bed, providing a function long after your child outgrows it.
Cons:
- Limited Size – Your child will eventually outgrow the cot and the desk.
9. Drop-side Crib Cot
For years, the drop-side cot captivated the world because its ability to drop one side gave parents easy accessibility to place their baby in and out of the cot.
However, as convenient and a lot more friendly on parents’ backs as it was, this function also made it potentially unsafe for children because of the chances they might climb and fall out of the cot.
Pros:
- Convenient – Allows parents and caregivers easy access to the baby.
Cons:
- Safety – The drop-side of the cot can sometimes be unsteady. You’ll need to ensure the latch is fastened every time.
10. Bassinet Cot
A bassinet cot is smaller than your standard cot and is best for newborns to babies who are four to six months old. Switch them to a bigger sleeping space when your little one begins rolling and moving around.
Pros:
- Small and convenient – Due to its size, it’s so easy to keep a bassinet cot right next to your bed so you can co-sleep safely.
Cons:
- Limited usage – You’ll only be able to use this cot for a few months.
11. Rocking Cot
A rocking cot can also be known as a traditional crib, rocking bed or cradle. These beauties work wonders when trying to lull your baby to sleep, as the design has rounded feet that you can lightly push to rock your baby.
Most modern rocking cots have an automated rocking function, so parents still have their hands free. However, even though this cot can have an automatic process, babies should always be supervised in a rocking cot as there’s a risk they could rock it by themselves and cause it to fall over.
Pros:
- Relaxing – Rocking cots are a brilliant way to lull your baby to sleep without overexerting yourself.
Cons:
- Safety – Rocking cots are more likely to fall over when babies are left unsupervised.
12. Carrycot
Carry cots resemble the body of a pram, but instead of wheels for transportation, there are handles on either side. Their lightweight design makes them incredibly easy to transport. These cots can sometimes even be attached to a pram.
These cots have a very similar design to the Moses basket, only it’s usually made with foam with fabric coverings. Carry cots also have an expiry date on them as your baby will grow out of them eventually, but they should last until they turn six months old.
Pros:
- Lightweight – It’s effortless to transport, and you can carry your baby as they sleep.
Cons:
- Limited space – A carrycot will only last until your baby is approximately six months old.
13. Canopy Crib Cot
The canopy cot has a unique and beautiful design that captures your attention immediately. It gets its name from the canopy located at the top of it. The shelter gives this cot a comfortable and cosy feel for your baby and creates a fairytale look.
As beautiful as this cot is, ensure you remove the canopy from the cot when your child reaches the age of four months old. They can try to hang on to it at this age, and they might fall.
Pros:
- Appearance – It has a beautiful design that adds to any aesthetic.
Cons:
- Safety – Babies can pull and climb on the canopy, and they could fall.
What To Consider When Choosing A Cot?
There are many things you need to consider when it comes to choosing a cot, both for safety and convenience. These include:
- Frame Depth: The cot you choose should have a depth of at least 50cm from the top of the mattress to the top of the rail. This prevents your baby from climbing out.
- Vertical Bars: The bars on your baby’s cot should be vertical, not horizontal. This stops them from using the bars as a ladder and climbing out. The distance between each of the bars should also be no more than 6.5cm.
- Adjustable Base: A cot with an adjustable base will allow you to lower the mattress height as your baby becomes more mobile, creating a greater distance and reducing the risk of them climbing out of the cot.
- Teething Rails: This is a protective covering that prevents your baby from causing any damage to their developing teeth, as well as the cot, should they choose to chew on the rails to soothe teething pain.
- Drop Sides: It’s a good idea to choose a cot with drop sides as this makes it much easier to access your baby when needed, especially when they have just moved into their full cot. Being able to do this reduces stress on the back as well, which is perfect for parents who already suffer from back pain.
- Storage Space: Cots with built-in storage space are ideal if you don’t have much room to spare in your baby’s nursery. It also allows you to keep certain things needed for bedtime, such as clean pyjamas or pacifiers.
Final Thoughts On Different Types Of Cribs
With so many options for cots and many available functions, choosing which one will be the best fit for you and your baby can become overwhelming. But remember your expectations and budget for the cot as you peruse the market, and stick to them.