Bought 'cot bed' from ebay. It's a cot. Cot + points please!

[CaringForPod]

Hi,

Really annoyed as bought what I thought was a cot bed from ebay, but turned out it's actually a cot, so slightly smaller. We're going to keep it, but am really miffed.

Everything I read seems to recommend cot beds as they last longer and ease the transition to a normal bed.

Does anyone have good things to say about cots? How long did yours sleep in theirs?

Oh, forgot to ask. Which are better for cots - foam or sprung mattresses? I'm tempted by foam as they're cheaper and the baby won't be in it for as long as a cot bed. Any thoughts?

I've seen this one, but wondered if anyone had any feedback before I go ahead and buy:

][http://babymattressesonline.co.uk/products/mattresses-by-size/cot-mattresses/deluxe-quilted-foam-mattress/deluxe-quilted-foam-mattress-for-cot-product.html]]

Erm - the mattresses are slightly cheaper?

If you plan to have another child then in theory you can use it for them as well? Doesn't work if, like me, your first one was still too young for a bed.

There's no big difference either way really. You'll just be getting a toddler bed slightly sooner than with a cot bed.

Still, I would be blooming miffed with the ebay seller. Can you complain/send back?

Re mattresses - I would get one that has a zip off washable cover, with a waterproof layer underneath. Very easy to clean up 'spillages' that way. Eg we have the more top of the range mothercare ones and its been brilliant being able to just zip off/wash/tumble dry and back on within a couple of hours.

You will still get a good couple of years use out of it though, if not closer to 3 years use. Plus they are better if you are going to have another baby. The cot can be used by the next one whilst you pop first born into a bed. So in a way better than a cot bed!

Don't cot beds start out as normal cots but then you have to get your screwdriver out to take the sides off and turn them into the toddler bed type bit?? I'm not sure there's that much difference in size.

Mattress wise I would just make sure its deep enough, don't bother spending a lot.

FWIW we bought a normal cot and my first was in it till 2.5 and he was huge, then straight into single bed with bedrail.

I could complain, but husband is just saying accept it. I've got enough to think about at the moment as it is!

Thanks for the positives though. I know there are far worse things happening in the world, but the little things really annoy me at the moment.

We got 2 years use out of ours fro ds plus almost 3 for dd (took off the dropside). never felt the need for a cotbed/junior bed and each went into a full size bed straight after. ds had a coir mattress which came with it but we bought a cotton covered sprung one for dd and it lasted much better. More choice of bedding for cots and proper singles.

Thanks LIZS. Getting my head in a muddle about mattresses now!

Is 10cm deep enough? This is our first born - as if you couldn't tell - so have no idea what is best!

The cot may have a recommended maximum depth. Will it ome with instrutions or can you google them , to see what it suggests.

You'll save money in bedding/mattresses in the long run. I never saw a point to toddler beds - DS is going straight from a cot into a single bed, which means blankets and a grobag until 2ish, then the same duvet, pillow and mattress should last until he leaves home, and the sheets duvet covers etc can be used until they wear out rather than until he outgrows the toddler bed.

I agree with Bertie.

I know lots of people who got a cot bed for their 1st DC, only to have a second child who needed the cot so it was never used as a cot bed.

There is no reason why your DC can't go into a full-sized bed after a cot, ours did at around 18 mths (when they started climbing out of the cot ).

We bought a cot bed for DD1, it was never used, DS used it until DD2 was born, he went into a normal single bed with bought sides.

DD2 is still in the cot bed (23 months)unconverted, I can't bring myself to convert it as it means she'll be able to get out!

Btw, ours stays the same size, you just take the side bars off and put some supplied bits of wood into the corners to strengthen it. Unless normal cots are smaller? If so I would complain.

Thanks for all the replies. I had never really thought about the whole having a second baby sleeping situation, makes perfect sense now you mention it!

Beatrice, yes, the cot is around 20cm shorter than the cotbed. I've come to terms with it now though!