DIY Baby Cots

Sturdy Base

• Baby cots have basic elements of construction, including a bottom, four walls with slats and sturdy legs which will hold it up. The base is a critical part of the construction. While you can build your own table base out of a flat wood surface with four sturdy legs, using an old, sturdy coffee table will work just as well. Make sure the table and base you use has been sanded and treated before constructing the walls of the cot. To ensure the sturdiness of the base and the legs, consider adding braces to each leg for extra weight reinforcement.

Sides and Slats

• The headboard and footboard should be attached to the shorter ends of the base. These can be frames with slats installed in them or be sanded and treated boards that you measure and cut yourself and then screw onto the front and back of the base with strong wood screws. Sand these boards down smooth on all areas so that your baby won't get splinters by rubbing up against them. Cut them at least two and half to three feet high so your baby cannot climb out. The same goes for the walls of the cot along the sides as far as sanding and height, though it's best to make these as a frame with slats, so that your baby can see out easily and not feel trapped within the cot.

Padding and Accessories

• Once the frame of the baby cot has been solidly constructed, a small mattress to fit its bottom should be laid down. If you can't find one that is the proper size, then a thick piece of foam should be laid down on the bottom and wrapped in blankets for padding. Small pillows can be laid all around the sides for your baby's comfort, though not too many, or your baby may get buried in them or use them to climb out of the crib. Blankets can be laid over the sides of the cot or affixed permanently so that if the baby falls, she doesn't bang her head against the wood. Mobiles can also be attached to the sides of the wood cot so they hang over the crib for your baby's amusement.