At a glance:
Durability and consistence are both key with tots and this product does not disappoint. It will last you from three months to four years and is a beautifully traditional design that won’t go out of fashion. Our mum testers loved the protective teething rail and the spacious drawer at the bottom. This isn’t the smallest of cots, so is not great if you’re struggling for space.
What they say:
"With a bold, arched top, a magnificent shape with a curved panel, the Bel cot bed is perfect for any nursery. Great versatility combines every function of this modern cot bed. Expertly crafted with solid birch and oak veneer, it is as robust as it is beautiful. A single handed drop side mechanism allows easy access to your baby and a full drawer on the runner provides extra storage. Protective Teething rail on top of both sides. Easily convert to junior bed/sofa/day bed. Suitable from birth to approximately five years old. Requires mattress size 140 x 70 cm and meets the British and European Safety Standards."
Tested by dad Stephen Bailey for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums and dads?
Yes. I especially like that the panels on either end of the cot are solid, meaning that I can sneak up on my son to determine if he’s sleeping without him seeing us. A quick peek over the top and a swift retreat! The item is well-built but not too heavy, which is helpful as it doesn’t take too much effort to slide it away from the wall to retrieve lost dummies. I really like this cot.
How did this product make your life easier?
I like the versatility of the cot as it can be converted into a bed, saving the need to change bedroom furniture as the child grows up. This certainly makes life easier as it saves money! The rail chew bars are also a great addition to the cot as they protect the rails from being gnawed.
Would you choose this product to win?
I’m not sure as I think there are more cost-effective products out there. Although this is great quality, it is on the pricey side which puts me off. However, I think it is very durable and beautiful to look at, so I would recommend it to others who could afford it!
What changes would you make to this product?
If I could change one thing about this product, it would be the drawer. It pushes in too far and constantly needs pulling out again to realign it to the position it should be in. This is a slight fault in the design. Other than this, I wouldn’t change anything about the cot.
Tested by mum Ayesha Watkinson for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend the Babymore Bel Sleigh Cot to anyone who is struggling to find the right bed for their baby. I would even share the link on social media, I like it that much! You get so much use out of it because it lasts until the child is around four-years-old, which is very cost efficient.
How did this product make your life easier?
The Babymore Bel Sleigh cot bed is so much easier for mums because the product can be used from when baby is three-months-old, up to four or five years old. The drawer at the bottom is also extremely handy as it can be used to store clothes and nappies for quick access.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would choose this product to win a Mother & Baby award. I love getting value for my money and really feel that is the case with this product, it lasts for so long!
What changes would you make to this product?
There isn’t really anything I would change about this product!
Tested by mum Sarah Wyatt for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend this cot to someone who likes the style of a sleigh cot bed. It is a good size and the different levels allow for baby’s development and growth. Being able to turn it into a cot bed means it can be used for a long time, which is great when investing money in a cot. Also, the drop side feature is useful to help easily manoeuvre baby in and out.
How did this product make your life easier?
This cot is ideal for when baby is old enough to move into their own room. The drawer underneath is useful for storage and there are different levels for the base that you can lower as baby grows. The drop side may be useful for parents who struggle to lean over the side of the cot, however this feature was not particularly easy to use.
Would you choose this product to win?
I really like this cot and think it is excellent quality, but I would not choose it over others because of the price. There are cots on the market which are just as good, but are cheaper. It would, however, be a statement piece of furniture in the right nursery, if you liked the design.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would improve the drop side feature, as it is a handy element to the cot but I can’t raise it quietly when baby is asleep. It could definitely be easier to use.
Tested by mum Amy Forward for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this product to other mums, in fact I already have. It's a reasonably priced item because you don't have to replace it for many years! I also have quite stylish friends and the simple, yet beautiful design would fit in with all their different decors.
How did this product make your life easier?
The fact that this product will last me many years is a big plus, children grow so fast and having to replace furniture on a regular basis just isn't feasible or cost efficient, so my life is definitely easier this way. Also, the under drawer is so convenient for getting out new baby clothes.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would pick this product about all others on the market because of how long it lasts and the reasonable price. It's also very easy to put up! My partner isn't very good at flat pack furniture but he managed to help me put it up in speedy time.
What changes would you make to this product?
I just think there should be less packaging when it arrives. It came in so many different boxes which was a nightmare to recycle! Otherwise it’s perfect.
Tested by mum Nicola Hawtin for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend the Bel Sleigh Bed to families with larger rooms. As it is a cot bed, it is suitable for babies, toddlers and young children. This means that you only have to purchase one product which is great. It also means that your child does not have to get used to a new setting for bedtime, which is good for consistent sleeping patterns.
How did this product make your life easier?
The sleigh bed has a drop-down side, which makes it much easier for parents to put baby into or get them out of the cot as you don’t have to bend down as far. It is also better for baby as it is easier to put them in from the side if they are sleeping. Equally, the storage compartment under the bed makes valuable use of space.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would be unlikely to choose this cot as I live in a small house and it is quite large. I also felt that it was quite girly, I have a lively, active little boy and do not feel that the style suits him. However, I would definitely recommend this product as I can see all the advantages to it.
What changes would you make to this product?
If I could change one thing about the Bel Sleigh Cot it would be the overall size. It takes up too much space and isn’t good for people with small houses.