~*~*~ Mamas & Papas Eloise Cot Bed ~*~*~


~ Why did I buy it? ~

I have been using my third sons cot for my forth child, all had been going very well until the maniac that is my 15 month old son decided to pop the sides apart! How my little muscle man managed it is beyond me but never the less the cot has been rendered useless and I was forced to use his travel cot topped with his cot mattress until I could afford a replacement cot.

I didn't want to spend a fortune on a new cot seeing as I can see him soon needing a bed due to him being the danger mouse that he is so I decided to look for a second hand cot. I checked ebay but nothing local was available so I then turned to Gumtree and Adtrader and I found this cot on my fourth search of Gumtree, the seller had a phone number available and after ringing and finding out she still had the cot and she was relatively local I went around to have a look, the cot bed came with a mattress which I took but later took it to the skips as I didn't fancy using a second hand mattress as I don't know what their child has done on it (pooped, sick, wee'd whatever)... Not to sound snobby or anything, and plus we also have a perfectly good mattress anyway which fits perfectly.

I paid £30 for this cot which I think is more than fair and I did in fact feel a little guilty handing over that small amount but I suppose she just wanted it gone! Her youngest was about 4 maybe 5 so I suppose it may have just been in the way or maybe she needed the cash, anyway I have it and I have to say I am really pleased with it.

The cot came with the 'headboard', a high cot end, a shorter footboard, two sides, a wooden slatted base and a bag filled with screws! Oh what fun!

I liked the pale wood colour and it replaces the old cot which was also a Mamas and Papas model nicely.


~ The building of the cot ~

Well like any good wife I left this to my hubby, or should I say I attempted to leave it to my hubby, he soon called me to give him a hand as it really is a two person job as you need someone to hold various bits whilst the other screws the other bits, I did the holding and he did the screwing ... Haha! Didn't mean for it to sound like that!

Anyhow, the cot was built and ready in about half an hour and I first noticed that it didn't have the drop side like my previous cots, I was unaware that there were cots without drop sides so that was something new to me! However what I did notice was that the base can be set in three different positions, we have simply put it on the lowest height there is. Any higher and I fear lil' super baby will be diving out in a wicked attempt to escape!

So even without instructions we managed to get the cot bed up and it wasn't wonky - Result!


~ My thoughts ~

For £30 I am very impressed with this cot bed, it is a very similar style to my previous cot but that was just a cot and not a cot bed so I am pleased to see that this will grow with my little one. It's strong and sturdy and seems built to last. I am not sure how long it was used for previously but I can say that it was in really good condition. I did give it a good wipe over with Dettol and a cloth to make sure it was clean and hygienic and my little super baby slept in it soundly that night.

I like that it comes with the lower foot board for when you change it into a little bed and I suppose this will be happening sooner rather than later as my little one likes to climb up the wooden sides like a little monkey! Or strip naked and call me! Oh, he's a right little charmer I can tell you! Haha!

The sides are strong and safe and I think this may just last him until he no longer needs it. It can be used from birth to around 5 years which is great.

I do think a cot bed works out better value for money in the long run and in hindsight I wish I had opted for a cot bed every time I have bought a cot.

This one looks really nice and the top of the side rail is covered in a clear plastic sleeve to act as a teether, this isn't marked so it doesn't look like it is has ever been gnawed at, and my son doesn't seem interested in giving it a chew either!

Thanks for reading :o) x