Types Of Cots: Advantages And Disadvantages
The cradle is an indispensable piece of furniture that all parents must have at home even before the baby is born. It will be the place where the baby will sleep for most of the day and night, which is why it is essential to be sure to choose the right crib for both the little one and in terms of personal tastes and interests. With so many types of cribs on the market, this choice seems rather complicated.
But how to choose the right cradle for your baby? You have to take into account some basic requirements in order to be able to orient yourself at the time of purchase.
Buying a cot can be particularly difficult if you don’t consider some fundamental aspects such as its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, do not miss the following tips to buy the best for your children.
Types of cribs: advantages and disadvantages of each
Standard cots for babies
If you close your eyes and imagine a crib for your babies, a standard crib will probably come to mind. These are cradles with four fixed sides and bars. These cribs have many different styles to be able to adapt them to the furniture of the bedroom for which they are intended.
- Advantages : it is the cheapest cradle, has a simple structure and is resistant.
- Disadvantages : They do not have extra accessories like other cots and it is not easy to move them from one place to another.
Transformable or evolutionary cots
The transformable cots, also called evolutionary, are designed to grow together with the child. The rationale behind their name is that these loungers can transform into one or more different pieces of furniture. The most common transformations include:
- Standard cot.
- A day bed.
- Cot for the baby.
- A single or double bed.
- A small sofa.
In general, convertible cots are indicated with numbers that specify the different combinations that can be adopted. A transformable cradle that can take all the combinations listed above, for example, is called a 5 in 1 convertible cradle. The positive aspect of these cots is that you save over time although the initial cost will not be negligible.
- Advantages : it is convenient, you will only need a piece of furniture, it lasts for a long time, it is durable, there are no adornments that can make the crib obsolete.
- Disadvantages : it is more expensive than other cots, it may not match the future bedroom furniture, it has to be assembled and disassembled every time the piece of furniture “evolves”, it can wear and take on an antiquated look in subsequent transformations.
Portable cribs
If you have limited space in your home, a portable crib can be a good solution. Being able to move the crib from one room to another helps to keep watch over the sleeping baby while other activities take place.
Just make sure that the cradle is not wider than the doors of the house. It is a cradle equipped with wheels that will allow you to move it from one space to another (you will need to check the presence of the safety brake). The portable cots also allow you to lower a side in order to be able to carry out the practice of co-sleeping in an easy and safe way.
- Advantages : They are ideal for smaller homes, allow you to monitor the baby in any room.
- Disadvantages : you have to regularly supervise the baby, there are not many models and the mattresses are generally foldable.
Types of travel cots
Travel cots fold into a duffel bag for easy transport. If you are traveling with your children, you will need one of these cots.
Travel cots are inexpensive and made from lightweight materials that allow them to be transported, assembled and disassembled with ease. These, however, cannot be used permanently because they are not suitable for the baby’s body. Added to this is that they would be ruined in a short time.
- Advantages : lightweight materials and weight, easy to assemble and disassemble, they are economical.
- Disadvantages : Cannot be used on an ongoing basis, easily damaged.
Multifunctional cots
A multifunctional cot includes one or more pieces of furniture. By purchasing one, you will have more than a functional piece of furniture, thus saving money and space. In addition to acting as a cradle, in fact, it can be used as a changing table for the newborn, as a chest of drawers for storing clothes, etc.
In an attempt not to make the crib too bulky, the various pieces of furniture it is made of will be smaller than their classic dimensions if you buy them separately. The important thing is that the furniture is functional and allows you to save in terms of space and money. It is possible to choose between different types of cribs depending on the furniture and expectations.
- Advantages : you don’t need any other furniture and they are very practical.
- Disadvantages : the additional furniture may be small, but the size of the cot will be larger than a standard cot.
Thanks to these tips, choosing between the different types of cribs on the market will be much easier.
