Cot vs toddler bed: which is better?
Cot
Used from birth, once you are ready to move on from a Moses basket or bedside crib, until your child is ready for a bed.
- Check the internal size and buy a mattress that fits with no gaps.
- Adjustable base heights let you lower the mattress as your baby learns to sit and stand.
- Teething rails protect the top rails from little teeth.
Toddler bed
Used once your child has outgrown the cot or is climbing out of it. Many UK families switch between about 18 months and 3 years.
- Check the mattress size it takes and buy a mattress that fits snugly.
- Side guards help stop your child rolling out in the early weeks.
- A low height makes it easier to climb in and out on their own.
| Cot | Toddler bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | from birth, once you are ready to move on from a Moses basket or bedside crib, until your child is ready for a bed | once your child has outgrown the cot or is climbing out of it. Many UK families switch between about 18 months and 3 years |
What the guidance says
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition, with no raised or cushioned edges, that fits the cot or Moses basket with no gaps.
- Keep the cot clear: no pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys, pods, nests, wedges or anything to keep your baby in place.
- Cots and travel cots: look for BS EN 716-1:2017.
- Mattresses: look for BS 7177:2008+A1:2011, and BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021 for cot, travel cot and crib mattresses.
Related questions
How long can you use a cot?
From birth, once you are ready to move on from a Moses basket or bedside crib, until your child is ready for a bed.
How long can you use a toddler bed?
Once your child has outgrown the cot or is climbing out of it. Many UK families switch between about 18 months and 3 years.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Coleby Space Saver Cot
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - White
- Bantam Cot - White
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - Warm Grey
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.