Choosing a Cot or Crib

Whatever your budget, choose a cot or bassinet that is suitable for your baby's stage of development and meets the applicable safety requirements where it will be used. It needs a firm, flat mattress that fits correctly. Before comparing designs and materials, check the manufacturer's intended use, stated limits and instructions, and the space you have.

Four checks before anything else

1. The standard. Each market sets its own rules, summarised below.
2. The structure. Check that the sides, base and fittings are intact, with no missing, loose, broken or incorrectly installed hardware. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for any moving parts or locking mechanisms.
3. The mattress. Firm, flat and tight-fitting, so that a baby cannot become trapped between mattress and cot, with a waterproof cover. A new mattress for each baby is generally recommended.
4. A clear sleep space. Keep the sleep space clear of pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets and soft toys. Soft bedding can increase the risk of suffocation and sleep-related death.

How the cot is used

The NHS advises placing your baby on their back for every sleep, with their feet at the foot of the cot, in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for at least the first six months. Meeting the relevant requirements must be accompanied by correct preparation and use: follow the manufacturer's instructions and current safer-sleep guidance for every sleep.

Safety requirements and standards by market

• United Kingdom and European Union. EN 716-1:2017 is a safety reference for domestic cots with an internal length greater than 900 mm and no more than 1,400 mm; other categories have separate requirements. In the EU, the General Product Safety Regulation has applied since 13 December 2024.
• The Gulf. The GCC Standardization Organization adopted EN 716-1 as a Gulf standard in October 2024, and Saudi Arabia's SASO has published its own update, based on ISO 7175-1:2019.
• United States. Full-size cribs must meet the federal standard, 16 CFR 1219, which since 1 August 2026 incorporates ASTM F1169-25. Drop-side cribs have been banned since 2011, and the CPSC's crib safety guidance specifies no more than 2⅜ inches, approximately 6 cm, between slats.
• Canada. Regulation SOR/2016-152, in force since 29 December 2016, bans drop sides and also applies to second-hand cribs.
• Australia. Mandatory safety and information standards for infant sleep products have applied since 19 January 2026. The detailed requirements depend on the product category: household cots must meet one of the recognised technical standards listed by the ACCC (AS/NZS 2172:2013, ASTM F1169-19 or BS EN 716-1:2017), alongside the applicable Australian requirements.
• Japan. Japan is transitioning baby beds to the children's PSC mark under rules introduced on 25 December 2025. During the transition, products bearing the previous mark may also be sold until 24 March 2027.
• China. GB 28007-2024 addresses the safety of infants' and children's furniture and has applied since 1 January 2026. Its applicability should be checked against the category and design of the product.
• South Korea. Infant beds fall under the KC Safety Confirmation scheme for children's products.
• Brazil. Inmetro Ordinance 143/2021 requires certification and registration for cribs within its scope, against ABNT NBR 15860. Inmetro explains that made-to-order or made-to-measure cribs are exempt from those procedures, while still having to meet the technical safety requirements.

At SUOMMO

Every SUOMMO creation begins with a form imagined around the arrival of a child. La Perla, Dodo, BELA and Moveo each give that welcome a different expression, shaped through the judgement and patience of the hands that make them.

La Perla and BELA combine selected woods with Kevlar and carbon fibre, shaped and refined by hand over hundreds of hours. Their mattresses form part of sleep systems developed by SUOMMO's Research & Development team around each creation's form. Each crib is dressed in textiles made by hand in the SUOMMO Atelier, in natural silk and selected cotton, and arrives with them already fitted, together with instructions for use.

Our furniture is delivered fully assembled. Each creation is individually recorded upon completion and carries a ten-year international warranty covering structural integrity and essential functionality, subject to the terms for each model.

Before selecting a model, ask our Concierge about its intended use, stated limits, relevant safety information and delivery to your destination. Prepare the sleep space in accordance with the product instructions and current safer-sleep guidance.

Begin with a cot suited to its intended use and your market, and a mattress that fits it exactly. Ask which safety requirements apply to that model and what documentation the maker can provide. Beyond that, what distinguishes one cot from another is what it is made of, how it is finished, how it arrives and how long it is made to last.

Safety first, whatever the price

Check the requirements for your market, the manufacturer's intended use and instructions, sound hardware and a firm, flat mattress that fits correctly, as set out in the answer to ‘What crib should I buy?’. During sleep the cot stays bare: no pillows, duvets, bumpers or soft toys.

Materials and finishes

• Ask what the finish contains. For relevant paints and surface coatings in the United States, the lead limit is 0.009% by weight of the dried film or total non-volatile content.
• Ask about emissions. For furniture and wood-based articles within its scope, REACH restricts placing products on the EU market after 6 August 2026 if formaldehyde released exceeds 0.062 mg/m³ under the specified test conditions.
• Ask where precious materials come from. Ask what documentation supports the origin of the gold and diamonds. LBMA Good Delivery refiners must follow its Responsible Sourcing Programme. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme concerns international trade in rough diamonds; ask separately how provenance is documented through cutting and setting.

How it arrives, and how long it lasts

• Assembly. Ask whether the cot arrives assembled. If it has to be put together, follow the instructions and check for missing, loose or broken screws, brackets or other hardware, as the CPSC advises.
• A cot to pass on. A cot kept for a younger sibling or the next generation still has to meet the rules where it is used. In Canada, the cribs regulation also covers second-hand cribs.
• Care and warranty. Ask how the finish should be cared for, whether replacement components and instructions remain available, and what the warranty covers. A cot delivered assembled still comes with instructions and checks to follow.

At SUOMMO

At SUOMMO, the difference begins in what cannot be seen. Noble woods are combined with structural materials such as Kevlar and carbon fibre, and every curve is refined by hand over hundreds of hours.

The finish is where the house's knowledge concentrates. In the Gold Edition, a hand-applied finish incorporating 18-carat gold is created through a waterborne technique developed by SUOMMO. Under AQUALOGY, even the water used in the finishing stages is selected: for many years, Evian, from the French Alps.

Where gold and diamonds appear, their origin is part of the creation: gold from refiners on the LBMA Good Delivery List, and diamonds sourced through channels that uphold the Kimberley Process.

Every SUOMMO crib is delivered fully assembled, is recorded in the house's registry upon completion and carries a ten-year international warranty covering structural integrity and essential functionality, subject to the terms for each model. Our Concierge can walk you through each of these details before you choose.

Buy from the maker or from retailers it authorises, and make sure the model you choose meets the requirements of the country where it will be used. With designer cribs, who sells them matters as much as how they look.

Before you buy

• Know who you are buying from. Australian product safety guidance advises checking that a seller is legitimate, and warns that online sellers based offshore may not follow local safety requirements.
• Check the requirements for your market. Cribs are regulated differently in each market; the answer on choosing a crib sets them out. Ask the seller how the model meets them.
• Check recalls on the official listings for your country, and complete any product registration card.
• Ask about delivery, set-up and after-sales service, including who to contact under the warranty.

Second-hand and vintage

For a second-hand or vintage cot, check the model against current safety requirements in your country, as well as its condition, instructions and recall history. The NHS recommends a new cot mattress.

At SUOMMO

The care of a SUOMMO creation continues from the atelier to the home that will receive it. Our Concierge accompanies that journey personally, coordinating the commission, its protective case and a door-to-door arrival, with our nursery furniture fully assembled. Every order is handled through our official channels, with comprehensive transit coverage. Every creation is individually recorded upon completion.

To discover the collection, begin with the White Edition, the Gold Edition or the Limited Edition.

A good crib meets the safety requirements of the market where it will be used, holds a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly, and has a solid structure with no gaps, cut-outs or projections that could trap or catch a baby. Beyond safety come the qualities you live with: materials, finish, size and how the crib suits your room.

Safety features

US guidance gives a clear example of what to look for: no more than 2 3/8 inches (about 6 cm) between slats, no corner posts over 1/16 inch high, no cut-outs in the headboard or footboard, a firm, tight-fitting mattress and no missing, loose or broken hardware. Since 28 June 2011, traditional drop-side cribs can no longer be made or sold in the United States. Other markets set their own requirements, set out in the answer on choosing a crib; the answer on safety explains what to check at home.

The mattress

Firm, flat, with a waterproof cover, and fitting the crib with no gaps. The NHS recommends a new cot mattress.

Qualities to live with

Solid materials and a durable finish, a size that suits your room, smooth edges, easy cleaning and clear instructions. Ask how long the crib can be used and whether it can be kept or passed on.

At SUOMMO

Every SUOMMO creation begins with a form imagined around the arrival of a child. La Perla, Dodo, BELA and Moveo each give that welcome a different expression, shaped through the judgement and patience of the hands that make them.

La Perla Crib White Edition, BELA Crib Gold, Dodo Bassinet White Edition and Moveo Mini Crib combine selected woods with Kevlar and carbon fibre, as described in their product information, shaped and refined by hand, with a mattress developed around the form of each creation. Our Concierge can explain each model's intended use and limits before you choose.

Every crib is delivered fully assembled, dressed in textiles from the SUOMMO Atelier, with instructions for use, and carries a ten-year international warranty covering structural integrity and essential functionality, subject to the terms for each model.

A crib that meets the safety requirements of your market does not have to be expensive. In the UK, MoneyHelper's price references, checked on 10 November 2026, give a range of about £70 to £800 for a new cot, and safety requirements apply whatever the price (see the answer on choosing a crib).

What a higher price can pay for

A higher price may pay for particular materials, handwork, finishing time, design, personalisation or service. Ask the maker to explain what is included and how those details are documented. The answer on luxury crib brands sets out what to ask.

Budget for the mattress and bedding

Whatever the crib, allow for a new mattress that fits it snugly, unless one is included, and for bedding; see the answer on what a newborn really needs.

At SUOMMO

At SUOMMO, the preparation of a nursery begins with the works a family wishes to live with and one day preserve. Form, craft and personal meaning guide the commission; the quotation gives that choice its precise scope.

Published prices checked on 11 November 2026 include the following creations and editions: Moveo Mini Crib, €16,000; Dodo Bassinet in White Edition, €22,000; BELA Crib Gold, €42,000; La Perla Crib in White Edition, €48,000; Dodo Sakura, a limited edition of eight, €180,000; and Dodo Bassinet Solid Gold, a unique work in 999.9 fine gold, €50,000,000.

Each creation is delivered fully assembled, door to door, and carries a ten-year international warranty covering structural integrity and essential functionality, subject to the terms for each model. Our Concierge can confirm availability and the quotation for your chosen specification and destination.

Whether a crib comes with a mattress varies by maker and model: some cribs include a mattress made to fit, others are sold without one. If a mattress is not included, choose one of the exact size specified by the maker, firm and flat, with no gaps around the edges. A new mattress is recommended where possible; see the answer on choosing a mattress.

At SUOMMO

Within each SUOMMO crib, the attention given to its outward form continues in the mattress developed around it and in the textiles worked by the Atelier. The whole is conceived as one creation.

The published collections for La Perla Crib White Edition, Dodo Bassinet White Edition, Moveo Mini Crib and BELA Crib Gold include a mattress developed for the model. Confirm the contents of your selected edition in the quotation with our Concierge.

For a young baby, a cot, bassinet or bedside crib that meets the safety standards for your market is the recommended sleep space; the American Academy of Pediatrics advises a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard meeting the CPSC standards, and the NHS a cot or Moses basket in your room for at least the first six months. A floor bed is a later choice that needs its own assessment of intended age, design and the whole room. Do not infer suitability for a baby from the Montessori label or from the fact that the child can move independently; discuss the proposed transition with your health professional.

Cribs that grow with the baby can be worth it if each stage is used as designed. A crib that converts to a toddler bed or other furniture must meet the relevant requirements in each configuration: in the United States, for example, cribs and toddler beds have separate mandatory standards. Check the age and size limits for each stage, whether the conversion parts are included or sold separately, and keep the instructions. See the answer on cot standards and the answer on Montessori beds. See also what to check before choosing a convertible cot.

Neither size is automatically better. Compare the complete furniture dimensions, room access and the model's intended use. A mattress size does not show whether a cot converts into a bed or how long it can be used; check the actual design and instructions. Many cribs, especially designed ones, use their own dimensions. Whatever the size, the mattress must match exactly what the cot maker specifies, with no gaps. See the answer on mattress fit.

At SUOMMO

A SUOMMO silhouette has its own proportions, shaped around the presence it will have in the room. The mattress is developed within that particular form; the dimensions of the whole belong to the composition of the space.

SUOMMO creations have their own forms and dimensions, and each mattress is shaped for its crib, with generous proportions: La Perla Crib measures 150 × 95 × 100 cm, BELA Crib Gold 136 × 86 × 88 cm and Moveo Mini Crib 116 × 61 × 75 cm (outside dimensions, length × width × height). Our Concierge can confirm the measurements for your room.

European cribs are not necessarily smaller than American cribs: compare the particular models and their mattress requirements. The United States has a defined full-size category, whose mattresses must measure at least 27¼ by 51⅝ inches, approximately 69 by 131 cm. This is not the size of every American crib, and there is no single European size to assume when buying across markets. What matters is that the mattress matches exactly what the cot maker specifies, with no gaps, so a mattress bought in one market may not fit a cot from another. See the answer on cot sizes.

The design that suits your family is the one that meets the requirements for its category, holds a firm, fitted mattress, gives easy access to the baby, fits your room and its light, and will still mean something to you years from now. Once the relevant safety requirements are met, the silhouette, proportions and relationship with the room are personal choices. Materials, construction and finish still deserve specific questions about their quality, care and intended use. See the answer on what a good crib should have.

At SUOMMO

La Perla gives the welcome of a new life an unmistakable silhouette; Dodo gathers it into quiet curves; BELA brings its sculptural form into the light of a hand-applied finish incorporating eighteen-carat gold. Each is an expression of the hands that shape it and the family that will receive it. Our Concierge can begin that conversation with you.

A crib's price can reflect its materials, structure and finish, the textiles and mattress, how many are made and the service around it, including delivery and after-sales care; where skilled handwork is involved, its time also forms part of the cost. Meeting safety requirements is the starting point at every price; a higher price does not by itself mean safer performance. See the answer on what a crib costs and whether expensive cribs are worth it.

At SUOMMO

In La Perla Crib White Edition and BELA Crib Gold, the silhouette is resolved through hundreds of hours of skilled handwork. Noble woods, Kevlar and carbon fibre give the form its structure; the SUOMMO Atelier gives it its textiles. BELA's hand-applied finish incorporates eighteen-carat gold. SUOMMO's product pages list La Perla Crib White Edition at €48,000 and BELA Crib Gold at €42,000 (checked on 11 November 2026). Both arrive fully assembled, with a ten-year international warranty covering structural integrity and essential functionality, subject to the terms for each model.

Before buying a crib, ask which safety requirements it meets in your market and what documentation is available; what mattress it takes and whether it is included; what its limits of use are; what it is made of and how it is finished; whether it arrives assembled and who installs it; what the warranty covers; and how care, parts and repairs are handled. For a used crib, also identify the exact model and check for recalls. See the answer on choosing a cot and what a good crib should have.

At SUOMMO

Every SUOMMO creation begins with a form imagined around the arrival of a child. La Perla, Dodo, BELA and Moveo each give that welcome a different expression, shaped through the judgement and patience of the hands that make them. Those who would also like a dedicated changing table can explore Nexus and Bianca.

Each crib and bassinet comes with a mattress developed by SUOMMO for its exact form, and all our furniture is delivered fully assembled. Prepare the sleep space according to the product instructions and current safer-sleep guidance.

Our Concierge can guide you from a single creation to a complete nursery.

The distinction may lie in the design, materials, craft, personalisation and service. A higher price does not establish greater safety, but shared minimum requirements do not prove that every product has identical performance. Any claimed additional safety benefit needs evidence for the actual feature. See the answer on whether expensive cribs are worth it.

At SUOMMO

At SUOMMO, noble woods are shaped and joined by hand with specialised structural materials, including Kevlar and carbon fibre, and each surface is given its proper time. Our AQUALOGY finishing philosophy combines specialised application techniques, extended curing periods and carefully selected mineral water.

Explore the White Edition, Gold Edition and Limited Edition with our Concierge to see which creations and finishes can be brought together for your room. Every creation carries a ten-year international warranty covering structural integrity and essential functionality, subject to the terms for each model.

The best crib for a newborn is the one that meets the requirements for its category, holds a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress, is intended by its maker for use from birth, fits beside your bed in your room for the first months and lets you reach the baby easily, without removing a side or attaching it to your bed unless it is designed for that. Whether that is a bassinet, a mini crib or a full-size cot depends on your space and plans. See the answer on mini crib or bassinet and what a newborn needs for sleep.

At SUOMMO

Within each SUOMMO crib, the attention given to its outward form continues in the mattress developed by our Research & Development team and in the natural silk and selected cotton textiles worked by the SUOMMO Atelier. Conceived around the form of the crib, the whole belongs to one creation. Our Concierge can explain the mattress supplied with each model, its care and replacement.

Try a model whose permitted mattress positions and access suit your reach, and ask a health professional about your own needs. Lower the base at the stage specified by its maker, even if reaching the baby then takes more care; do not add a mattress or alter the sides to make access easier. Space around the cot to stand close also helps. See the answer on choosing a cot.

At SUOMMO

In La Perla and BELA, wood is entrusted to the hands that give the silhouette its presence. The curve is considered, refined and returned to until it belongs to the work as a whole.

La Perla Crib and BELA Crib Gold combine selected noble woods with advanced structural materials such as Kevlar and carbon fibre, shaped and refined by hand and finished with SUOMMO's AQUALOGY water-based process. Our Concierge can tell you more about the woods used in each creation.

For twins, guidance differs: The Lullaby Trust describes conditional cot-sharing in the early weeks, side by side, not close enough to touch and without dividers, rolled towels or pillows, with separate sleep spaces once either baby can roll or move around and no sharing of a Moses basket; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends separate sleep surfaces for twins. Follow the guidance applicable to your family and plan a suitable sleep space for each baby. See the answer on what a newborn needs for sleep.

At SUOMMO

Two children begin their own stories together. A name embroidered in silk or engraved into a SUOMMO creation can give each a distinct place within the same family welcome. Our Concierge can consider a creation for each child, its personalisation and availability.

The cribs that last longest are those built from durable materials with sound joints, a finish that can be cared for and restored, and a maker that supplies parts and service over time. A cot's use for a baby ends at the limits its maker sets; its life as a piece of furniture can go much further. See the answer on how long nursery furniture lasts.

At SUOMMO

SUOMMO's creations are made to endure across generations, so a family can choose fewer creations and keep them. Our nursery furniture arrives fully assembled with its instructions, and our Concierge can explain how to prepare each creation for use.

Either shape can be safe if the cot meets the requirements for its category and the mattress is made for that cot and fits without gaps. Round or oval cots are usually chosen for their form and the way they sit in a room; rectangular cots fit corners more easily. A rectangular shape does not establish a universal mattress size: for either shape, use the mattress dimensions and specification required for that exact model, and check replacement availability. See the answer on cot sizes.

Convertible cribs can be worth it if you want one item of furniture to follow your child from cot to bed, and you like the design in both forms. Check that each configuration meets its own requirements and that the bed form suits your room. Ask how long conversion kits will remain available and budget for the kit and any later mattress. See the answer on what a convertible crib is.

At SUOMMO

Grand Sonno, one of SUOMMO's first creations, was conceived to grow with the child, changing from a cot into a bed, a desk and a storage unit. Made in a limited edition, it belongs to the history of the house and is no longer offered; the current SUOMMO collection does not include convertible cots. Discover Grand Sonno in our press archive.

A convertible crib is one designed to be reconfigured as the child grows, for example by removing a side or adding parts to make a toddler bed or a daybed, using the manufacturer's specified parts and instructions. In the UK, a similar idea is often sold as a ‘cot bed’. Each configuration has its own limits of use and requirements. See the answer on whether convertible cribs are worth it.

A cot bed is often larger and converts into a small bed as its maker provides, so it may be used for longer; a cot is usually smaller and keeps its form. Choose by your room, how long you want to use it and the design you prefer, checking each configuration's limits. See the answer on convertible cribs.

Choose a cot you can reach into comfortably while using the mattress positions permitted for your baby's stage. If possible, try the reach at the lowest position as well as the highest. Rail height, mattress height and your own reach work together; do not raise the mattress beyond the instructions or alter the sides to make access easier. See the answer on cribs for parents with a bad back.

Apply the same checks as at home: a suitable sleeping space, the specified firm mattress, all required parts and instructions, and no unresolved recall. A travel cot intended for sleep may be practical for visits, while a permanent cot may suit regular stays and available space. Avoid choosing an old family cot solely for its sentimental value. See the answer on antique cribs.

At SUOMMO

A name or a family motif can become part of the artistic language of a SUOMMO creation, worked into silk, engraving or artwork painted by hand. Our Concierge can consider the composition with the family and the form it will accompany.

For a baby's bed with high sides, ‘crib’ is the usual American term and ‘cot’ the usual British term. Product names are not a substitute for checking the category, dimensions and instructions: the requirements that apply depend on the product and the market. See the answer on European and American crib sizes.

A low-looking cot may reflect its design, while an adjustable mattress base is lowered as the baby develops, following the manufacturer's instructions. These are different features. Lowering the base maintains more side height above the mattress, but does not make a cot suitable once a child has reached its limits or can climb out. See the answer on cribs for parents with a bad back.