In short. For a child from birth to 2–3 years you need a 120×60 cm cot that meets EN 716, adjustable bottom height and removable slats. The mattress is purchased separately, according to the size of the cot. Everything else - wheels, rocking, a drawer, a bedside option - are conveniences that you choose to suit your everyday life.
A newborn sleeps up to 16–18 hours a day, so the cot is the most used piece of furniture in the nursery. We make cots since 2015 and answer important questions from parents every day. This guide has collected the answers in one place: what is necessary, what is simply convenient, and where the budget can be reduced.
Content
1. Security: what to check first
The European standard for cots is EN 716. He checks not “beauty”, but precisely what can harm the child:
- The distance between the slats is from 45 to 65 mm. The child's head or hand should not get stuck.
- Height of side. When the bottom is in the down position, from the base under the mattress to the top of the side - 60 cm; when the bottom is raised to the top position - no less than 30 cm. This way, a child who is already standing will not fall out.
- No sharp corners, protruding screws or small parts that can be unscrewed or chewed off.
- Safe paints and varnishes - the child will chew the side, this is normal.
All YappyKids cots for newborns are made according to the requirements of EN 716: distance between slats 45–65 mm, side height, absence of sharp edges and small parts, safe coatings. Laboratory testing protocols are indicated in the model cards.
2. Size: why 120×60
Standard European cot for a newborn - 120×60 cm. All mattresses, sheets, bedding sets and sleeping bags are produced for this size, so there will never be a “sheet not found” problem with it.
The 120×60 cot lasts from birth until approximately 2–3 years. Next, the child needs a real bed - most often 160×80 cm. We don’t recommend buying a “convertible bed to grow into” right away: in 2–3 years, children still want an “adult” bed, and a bulky convertible bed takes up space and fits worse into the interior. The compact cot 120×60 plus a separate bed in 3 years is more practical.
The external dimensions of the 120×60 cots are approximately 125×68 cm, the height is 90–97 cm. Leave room around to fit on both sides.
3. Bottom height: three levels in three stages
All of our cots have adjustable bottom heights. This is not a small thing, but the most useful function:
- Upper level - for a newborn. No need to bend down to the floor to put or pick up your baby; Mom's back will thank you.
- Medium level - when the child begins to roll over and sit down (around 5–7 months).
- Lower level - as soon as the child stands up, holding onto the side. This way the board remains high enough.
YappyIcon has four levels - you can adjust the height to your bed if the cot is nearby.
4. Removable slats and drop-down side
At one and a half to two years, the child begins to get out of the cot on his own. To make this safe, all of our cots have three slats are removable in the front wall (YappyIcon has four): this creates a “door” through which the child gets out and gets back in without the risk of falling over the side. Many families extend the life of the cot for another year.
The front board is completely removable for all models - the cot turns into a small sofa or is placed next to the parent's bed. And in YappyLull, YappyQu, YappyMove and YappyÉtude the side also can be lowered with one hand : at night you can reach the child without getting out of bed.
5. Wheels, rocking, drawer, bedside cot
This is a matter of everyday life, not safety. Choose what you will actually use:
- Wheels - if the cot is rolled from the bedroom to the living room. Can be purchased separately for YappyUno, YappyLull, YappyQu and YappyÉtude.
- Rocking - helps settle the baby to sleep. YappyMove has built-in rocking (the cot moves parallel to the floor and is fixed), for YappyÉtude there is a separate rocking module.
- Drawer - a place for linen and diapers. YappyMove has a built-in drawer on telescopic guides, with two compartments and a lid.
- Bedside cot - the YappySafe set securely attaches the cot with the side removed to the parents' bed. Suitable if the parents' bed is not wider than 180 cm.
- Bottom tilt - for YappyÉtude the bottom tilts by 3° (for families whose baby spits up; check with your pediatrician).
- Carrycot 80×60 - module for YappyÉtude for the first months, when a large cot seems huge.
6. Material and coating
Cots YappyKids are made of solid wood: YappyUno, YappyLull, YappyQu, YappyMove and YappyÉtude are made of beech, YappyIcon are made of oak and waxed pine (FSC certificate, manufactured in Latvia). Solid wood holds the screws well during repeated rearrangements of the bottom - this is how it differs from chipboard.
Coating: water-based paints and varnishes, safe in contact with saliva. The upper edge of the side, which children chew, on YappyLull, YappyQu and YappyMove is protected by silicone pads YappyProtection. Maintenance is simple: wipe with a damp cloth.
7. Comparison of cots YappyKids
| Model | Price from | Bottom levels | Side rail | Peculiarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YappyUno | 230,00 € | 3 | removable, 3 removable slats | the most accessible; wheels sold separately |
| YappyLull | 280,00 € | 3 | lowered with one hand and removed, 3 removable slats | bestseller: best value for money in the category |
| YappyQu | 320,00 € | 3 | lowered with one hand and removed, 3 removable slats | a huge range of colors and all the necessary functionality |
| YappyMove | 470,00 € | 3 | lowered with one hand and removed, 3 removable slats | all possible functions included: rocking and drawer |
| YappyÉtude | 520,00 € | 3 + tilt 3° | lowered with one hand and removed, 3 removable slats | functionality, design and the highest quality - everything coincides |
| YappyIcon | 550,00 € | 4 | removable, 4 removable slats | when design decides: oak and pine under wax |
Prices are current, for white color; natural and colored options are a little more expensive. Warranty for all cots - 2 years.
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8. What to buy along with the cot
The cot is sold without a mattress - and this is correct: the mattress is chosen for the child, and not for the cot. Minimum set:
- Mattress 120×60 - hard or double-sided. We discussed it in detail in the guide to choosing a mattress .
- Waterproof sheet YappyShield - saves the mattress from “accidents”. Take two so that one is always dry.
- 2–3 fitted sheets 120×60 - cotton or muslin.
- Sleeping bag instead of a blanket - the child will not open up and cover his head.
- Set Yappy7in1 - if you want to buy everything at once: a bumper, a blanket, a pillow, a sheet in the same style.
When purchasing a cot together with a mattress or a set 7in1, there is a discount - it is calculated automatically in the cart.
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9. Common mistakes
- Used cot without a certificate. Old models often do not pass EN 716: the slats are too wide, the side is low, the paint has an unknown composition.
- Soft mattress, pillow, blanket and toys for a newborn. Up to one year, a child needs a flat, hard surface and an empty cot - this is safer for breathing.
- Cot near the radiator or in direct sun. The wood dries out, the child overheats.
- They didn’t lower the bottom in time. As soon as the child got to his feet, go straight to the lower level.
- “For growth.” A huge convertible bed now means extra money and space; in 3 years you will still want another bed.
10. Questions and answers
Usually up to 2–3 years. With removable slats, the child can get out of the cot on his own, and the cot lasts longer. Next is the 160×80 bed.
Not necessarily. Rocking helps to settle in the first months, but many children fall asleep without it. If in doubt, choose a model for which rocking can be added later (YappyÉtude).
Yes. Remove the front side and secure the cot with the YappySafe kit. Select the height of the bottom so that the mattresses are on the same level.
No, the mattress is selected separately. All YappyKids 120×60 mattresses fit exactly to all our cots.
Assembly takes 20–40 minutes with instructions and video, which we send after ordering. All you need is a screwdriver and the included key.
2 years for all cots. The wood and fittings are designed for several children - the cot is often passed on to the youngest.
Bottom line
Check compliance with EN 716, take size 120×60, make sure the bottom is adjustable and the slats are removable. Then choose according to your budget and habits: do you need rocking, a drawer, or wheels. If you have any questions, write to us on WhatsApp or come to the showroom in Riga, we will show you all the models live.
