by A cot bed (referred to as a “cot” by British people, but called a “crib” by Americans) is a small bed specifically designed for infants. Cot beds have a fence-like barrier around the bed base in order to ensure that children do not crawl out of the bed or fall out of it while sleeping. Cot beds are used for babies who have already started to crawl and can easily bump into the sides of a bassinet. But how big are cot beds, cot bed mattresses, and cot bedding? There are some common sizes that you should know as a new parent.
There are various types of cot beds with different bed frame sizes, mattresses, and bedding options. The typical size of a cot bed is approximately 60 in. x 30 in. x 53 in. A mattress that will fit inside a standard cot bed is typically 55 in. x 27.5 in. For a mattress of this size, a blanket for the cot bed would be approximately 65 in. x 40 in., and a cot bed duvet cover would be 57 in. x 48 in.
Example of typical sizes for cot beds and cot bed mattresses. Images from Kid’s Zone Furniture and sizechart.com.Be aware that the dimensions provided above might not be the same for every cot bed. The size and characteristics of a cot bed are directly linked with its origin and type. Cot beds are designed in various ways and serve different purposes, depending on the age of the infant and the preferences of the owner.
This article aims to provide some further information about cot bed, mattress, and duvet cover sizes. We will also discuss several quick tips to adjust the sleeping space around an infant in a cot bed. If you’re wondering ‘Do I need a Cot bed?’, you may enjoy the linked article.
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- Cot bed accessories and why you need them
How Big Is a Cot Bed?
The size of a cot bed is entirely dependent upon its type and purpose. The size of a cot bed also depends on the age category it is designed for. As mentioned earlier, the typical size of a standard cot bed is 60 in. x 30 in. x 53 in., but these dimensions might vary significantly depending on the type of cot bed.
Below are some major types of cot beds, along with their sizes and functional characteristics:
- Standard Cot Bed – This type of cot bed is usually called a “classic cot bed.” Generally, it is a wooden cot bed characterized by a relatively long lifespan compared to other types of cots. Therefore, standard cot beds are very convenient for families planning to have more than one child. The majority of standard cot beds (especially modern ones) have detachable bars, allowing the owner to take off the sides and transform it into a regular bed. The typical size of a standard cot bed is approximately 60 in. x 30 in. x 53 in. You might like our article on when to transition a baby from a cot bed to a toddler bed.
- Mini Cot Bed – A mini cot bed is a smaller version of a standard cot bed. Such beds can also be equipped with detachable bars, making it possible to convert it into a standard bed. The external dimensions of a typical mini cot bed are approximately 53 in. x 26 in.
- Convertible Cot Bed – As mentioned earlier, standard and mini cot beds may have detachable bars, which allows the owner to convert a cot bed into a regular bed. These types of cot beds are also referred to as “convertible cot beds,” which are very popular worldwide. The size of a convertible cot bed depends on whether it is a standard, mini, or other type of cot bed.
- Functional Cot Bed – One of the most convenient types of cot bed is a functional cot bed, which is designed to serve several purposes. Generally, this type of cot bed has some drawers and a changing table, allowing the owner to save space and have some extra storage. A functional cot bed will be relatively large due to its multi functional nature. The approximate size of a functional cot bed is 73 in. x 33 in. x 44 in. Here are some tips to make a cot bed more cozy.
If you want additional information about different types of cot beds, you can check out these articles by YouAreMom and Home Stratosphere. We also have an article on how to assemble a cot bed (tips and tricks).
If you’d prefer to purchase a cot bed through Amazon, here are some options:
| Product on Amazon | Dimensions | Approximate Cost |
| Portable Mini Crib with Mattress | 39 in. x 25.2 in. x 39.5 in. | ~$110 |
| Classic 3 in 1 convertible crib | 54 in. x 31 in. x 46 in. | ~$150 |
| 4-in-1 Convertible Fixed Side Crib | 71 in. x 32.5 in. x 43 in. | ~$390 |
A convertible wooden cot bed with a cot bed mattress. Image from Amazon.How Big Is a Cot Bed Mattress?
The size of a cot bed mattress is completely dependent on the type of cot bed itself. As mentioned in the previous section, there are various types of cot beds with different sizes of bed frames, and they all require mattresses with matching sizes. Generally, the size of the corresponding cot bed mattress is indicated on the packaging of the cot bed. The dimensions of mattresses for different types of cot beds might range from 39.3 in. x 19.6 in. to 55.2 in. x 27.6 in.
Although the majority of cot beds come with a mattress, some options only include a bed frame. In such cases, you’ll have to buy a cot bed mattress (aka crib mattress) that perfectly suits the cot bed frame. As we discussed earlier, standard cot beds are quite long-lasting, and families with more than one child can usually use the same bed for every child. There is no doubt that a high-quality cot bed will last for years – but what about the mattress?
Obviously, you might need to replace the old mattress with a new one at some point. To do so, it is essential to consider several aspects regarding the size of the mattress.
The first thing to think about when shopping for a mattress is the size of your baby and how much space they will need to have around them when sleeping on the mattress. For instance, the average height of a 6-month-old baby is around 26.3 in., and the dimensions of a mini cot bed are around 47 in. x 23.6 in. If a 6-month-old baby sleeps in a mini cot bed, there is plenty of space in the bed for the baby to move around. On the other hand, if a 3-year-old sleeps on the same exact mattress, there will not be enough space for them to move freely (since the average height of a 3-year-old is 37 in). We have some tips to make a cot bed feel smaller if you think your baby has too much space around them.
To make it easier for you to choose the proper mattress for your cot bed, here are some options that are available on Amazon:
| Product on Amazon | Dimensions | Approximate Cost |
| Breathable Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed | 52 in. x 28 in. x 5.5 in. | ~$300 |
| Waterproof Hypoallergenic Crib Mattress | 51.6 in. x 27.2 in. x 5 in. | ~$50 |
| Pocket Coil Crib Mattress | 38 in. x 24 in. x 3 in. | ~$60 |
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How Long Does a Cot Bed Mattress Last?
The longevity of a mattress varies depending on its type, purpose, and, more importantly, how well you take care of it. Therefore, it is almost impossible to predict how long a cot bed mattress will last.
Typically, a high-quality cot bed mattress will last for 7-10 years. However, the lifespan of a mattress can be impacted by a wide range of factors, including the age of the child using it, the number of children that have slept in it, and how well it was treated (or how often children were jumping on the bed).
There are no set rules for when to replace an old cot bed mattress with a new one. Some signs that your cot bed mattress is too old might be the following:
- The mattress shows significant signs of wear;
- The mattress is no longer comfortable to sleep on;
- The mattress is too dusty and is full of allergens; and/or
- The mattress has lost its shape and texture.
You can review additional details and general guidelines for mattress replacement in this Healthline article by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst.
How Big Is Cot Bedding?
The size of a cot bed duvet cover is not as important as that of the mattress, since you can always adjust the bedding so that it fits the cot bed. The only important thing to note is that the duvet cover should not be smaller than the mattress itself.
Generally speaking, the size of a regular cot bed duvet cover is approximately 63 in. x 47 in. However, the size is entirely dependent on the type of cot bed and its mattress.
If you want to purchase a cot bed duvet cover online, here are some options from Amazon:
| Product on Amazon | Dimensions | Approximate Cost |
| Dinosaur Themed Duvet Cover for Cot | 47.2 in. x 35.4 in. | ~$18 |
| Unicorn Duvet Cover for Cot/Toddler Bed | 47.2 in. x 35.4 in. | ~$15 |
| Disney Cars! Themed Cot Bed Cover | 55.1 in. x 27.5 in. | ~$30 |
Related article:
Is It Safe To Adjust the Sleeping Space Around an Infant?
Transitioning a baby to a cot bed is an essential process and requires great attention to various aspects. If you are a new parent and want to get some tips and tricks about how to change your baby’s sleep routine, check out this article by Faith Onimiya.
If you have just transitioned your baby from a bassinet to a cot bed, you may want to adjust the sleeping space using different types of sleep positioners. But how safe is it to do so?
There have been dozens of cases of infant suffocation and death caused by improper use of sleep positioners, pillows, or blankets. As a result, cot bed sleep positioners (such as cradle wedges) have been identified as dangerous by various organizations around the world. It is not recommended to use any type of sleep positioner, pillow, or blanket in a cot bed – rather, the only two things that should be in a cot bed are a proper mattress and the baby.
You can find further information about the danger of infant sleep positioners by reading the following articles from Clarion-Ledger, the BBC, and the FDA.