Cradle, cot or convertible cot: how do you choose your baby’s first bed?

Cradle, cot, convertible cot: what does each option offer?

Three terms come up again and again when preparing a baby's nursery, and it's easy to get them confused, especially when bedside cots and Moses baskets enter the picture.

A cradle is a small, compact place for a baby to sleep, designed for the first few months. Its smaller size creates a reassuring cocoon-like feel for a newborn and makes it easier for parents to keep their baby close at night. A Moses basket is a lightweight, portable sleeping space that can be used from birth, but for an even shorter period. A bedside cot is different from both an ordinary cradle and a Moses basket: it has a removable side and attaches to the parents' bed, keeping baby close without sharing their mattress.

The cot is the next step, usually measuring 60 × 120 cm. More spacious, it can serve your child for several years, from babyhood until they begin getting out of bed on their own. The convertible cot, often measuring 70 × 140 cm but sometimes starting at 70 × 90 cm, goes further: it changes configuration over time, sometimes becoming a junior bed, to grow with your child without repeated furniture purchases. It should not be confused with a travel cot, which is intended only for occasional use away from home.

Which bed should you choose for your baby’s age and stage of development?

It's better to watch what your baby can actually do than follow a suggested age: every child develops at their own pace, and that should guide your choice of bed.

From birth to 4–6 months: cradle, Moses basket or bedside cot?

The cradle is suitable for your baby's very first months, generally from birth to around four to six months, depending on their size and mobility. Its compact size creates a reassuring, cocoon-like feeling after life in the womb and makes it easy to place in the parents' bedroom, keeping your baby close during the night and for feeds. A carrycot or bedside crib meets the same need for closeness: the latter attaches to the parents' bed and has a removable side, with no gap between the two mattresses, making night-time waking safer without the baby sharing the parents' sleeping space

But this period of use is deliberately short. As soon as your baby starts rolling over unaided, pushing up on their arms or trying to pull themselves upright, the cradle and bedside crib alike reach their safety limits: the space becomes too small for their movements. Always check the manufacturer's instructions, which specify the age or weight beyond which the sleeping space should no longer be used.

After six months: why a cot becomes the natural choice

At around six months, babies begin to roll over on their own, push up on their arms and sometimes pull themselves upright. These motor milestones mark the natural limit for a cradle or Moses basket. The move to a different bed is driven not by fashion, but by safety. A compact sleeping space that feels comfortable for a newborn becomes cramped and potentially unsafe as a baby grows more mobile.

A cot then becomes the natural choice, offering a sleeping space designed for this new freedom of movement. Its height-adjustable mattress base lets you lower the sleeping position as your child grows: a higher position in the first months, then a lower one once they start to stand. Standard dimensions — 60 × 120 cm for a classic cot and 70 × 140 cm for convertible models — give your baby room to move, roll over and sit up without bumping into a frame that is too small.

At Charlie Crane, we design furniture made to stand the test of time: a cot made from safe, durable European wood, or a bed without bars , can support this important stage with the same gentleness as in the first months, while meeting the safety needs of a child who is now more mobile. Browse our baby bed collection to compare options suited to each stage.

Is a convertible cot a good choice for your baby’s first bed?

The term ‘convertible’ can describe different features, so it is worth checking what it means before buying rather than relying on the label. A convertible cot most often has two mechanisms:

• the height-adjustable mattress base, which lets you lower the sleeping position as soon as your baby starts to pull themselves upright or push up on their arms;
• the system of extensions or removable panels, which transforms a 60x120 cm or 70x90 cm cot into a larger bed, sometimes even a junior bed.

In practice, this avoids buying an intermediate piece of furniture, though it does not necessarily avoid extra expense: each new size often requires a suitable mattress. Before choosing, check exactly what is included: whether the conversion kit is supplied or sold separately, whether the rails are removable, and whether the original mattress will fit the bed’s future lengths.

A convertible cot is only worthwhile if you actually use its different configurations; otherwise, it remains a standard cot. At Charlie Crane, we design furniture made to stand the test of time, guided by the idea that it should grow with your child without the need for repeated purchases. This approach favours wood and safe, durable materials.

Which safety standards should you check before buying a baby cot?

Three points deserve particular attention before buying a baby cot, as they directly affect sleep safety:

• The spacing between the bars: standard NF EN 716 covers cots for domestic use and requires spacing that prevents your baby’s head, legs or arms from becoming trapped, including around the slatted mattress base. Check that the manufacturer states compliance on the product page.
• The height-adjustable mattress base: the higher position makes it easier to tend to your baby and is gentler on parents’ backs in the first months. The lower position becomes essential as soon as your baby sits up, pushes up on their arms or tries to pull themselves upright.
• Mattress firmness: the mattress should be firm, flat and fit the bed perfectly, with no gaps at the sides where your baby could slip. A mattress that is too soft, a mattress topper or an insert not specified by the manufacturer has no place in a safe sleeping space.

For a cradle, check for compliance with standard NF EN 1130. In every case, favour safe, naturally sourced materials such as European solid wood for a calm, comfortable nursery.

What should you keep out of your baby’s bed for safe sleep?

A safe sleeping space for baby rests on one simple principle above all: the bed must remain empty, whether you choose a cradle, cot or convertible cot. Some items often seen in beautifully decorated nurseries should always be kept out of the bed:

• The cot bumper: however soft or attractive it may be, this textile accessory has no place in your baby’s cot, whatever their age.
• Cushions and soft objects: keep cushions, baby positioners not specified by the manufacturer, large soft toys and thick comforters out of the bed during the first few months.
• Duvets and loose blankets: because these do not fit securely around the mattress, they do not provide the safety needed for your baby’s sleep. A sleeping bag suited to the season is the preferred way to cover your baby safely.
• The pillow: unnecessary and not recommended, it adds no comfort at this age.

This guidance applies equally to a cradle, cot or convertible cot: the size and type of bed do not change the rules. A simple sleep environment — baby on their back, a firm mattress, an empty bed and a suitable sleeping bag — remains the best foundation for peaceful nights. Keep the bed away from blind cords, curtains and heat sources, and maintain a moderate room temperature for a space that feels both cosy and safe.

Frequently asked questions

Until what age can you use a cradle or bedside crib? Generally, a cradle or bedside crib is suitable for the first few months, until your baby becomes more mobile, pulls themselves upright or tries to sit up. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for the stated age or weight limit.

Do you need a cradle before moving to a cot? No. A cot can be used from birth if its mattress base adjusts to a higher position. Some parents choose both: a cradle for the first few months, followed by a cot.

Is a convertible cot always better value than a standard cot? Not necessarily. Its value depends on how many of its configurations you actually use and whether suitable conversion kits or mattresses are available for each new size. Without those, it is much like a standard cot.

Which items should never be in your baby’s bed? Cot bumpers, cushions, duvets, loose blankets and pillows should all be kept out. A sleeping bag suited to the season remains the recommended way to cover your baby safely.

Which standard should you check for a cot? Standard NF EN 716 covers cots for domestic use, including the spacing between the bars and the slatted mattress base. For a cradle, check standard NF EN 1130.