Buying Small Cot Beds
It's easy to focus on the safety and spec features when shopping for a small bed. However, don't forget to consider the aesthetics. A well-designed cot will make your room appear bigger and less clutter-filled.
This model is perfect for smaller bedrooms. It's light and stroller-style. It's also the easiest flatpack to put together.
Space-saving
Cot beds are scaled down versions of traditional cots, but they still have all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. cot sets Cots 4 Tots UK can be used until your toddler is ready to move on to a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models can be converted into an elegant sofa bed for use with older children too.
To make the most of your space, look for the right model that will fit with the furniture in your bedroom or one that can easily take apart and reassemble if you want to make room for other baby things. You may also want to consider a compact cot bed with built-in storage, or an all-purpose design that incorporates the drawers of a chest, changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.
Our selection of small cots and cribs includes a variety of sizes, so there is something for every space. Many of the designs featured in our roundup come with a fitted bed, which makes it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.
When you are choosing a cot it is important to take measurements of the space in your nursery and verify the dimensions to ensure it's appropriate before making your purchase. It is also important to consider the gap between the bars, as this should not be more than 6.5cm for safety reasons.
Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot that can accommodate a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and comes with an elegant sleigh-style frame. It is built to last, with high-quality materials and sturdy construction. It is also easy to adapt to your child's increasing needs. It is more expensive than other cots we've reviewed, and you'll have to buy a mattress separately.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a small nursery, and is our choice of the best value cots. It's packed full of additional features like teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together too. It includes a mattress, but you'll need to buy another one for the toddler conversion.
Comfort
Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will help your baby rest comfortably. These mattresses are firmer than traditional cot mattresses however they are soft enough to ensure that your baby gets a good night sleep.
The mattresses are cushioned to reduce the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort in certain babies. The materials used to make the mattress are free of chemicals and irritants to ensure they don't cause irritation to the baby's sensitive skin.
These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers, since they provide excellent support for neck, head and body. These mattresses can be utilized together with the built-in cradle in a cot, which is helpful for colic or reflux.
When choosing a small cot bed with cushions, it's important to check the dimensions of the mattress as well as whether it will fit inside the base of the cot. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, for instance a minimum thickness.
If you're in search of an cot bed that will grow with your child take a look at this adaptable design from Vox. It's a cot which converts to an infant bed. This will save you the expense of buying an entirely new bed for your child once they are ready.
Our test panel was impressed by the simple setup of this cot The mom tester Grace noting that it "came out from the box and was unfolded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap into place and the cot folds down, with no complicated mechanisms to work with. It's also compact and lightweight and can easily fit into a carry bag that's smaller than a camping chair's case and ideal for taking it to grandparents' homes.
Despite being larger than other models in our tried-and tested line-up, this cot is extremely comfortable. It is designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding, and a springy bottom that can absorb the weight without making your child feel as if they're in a bouncer. It's also a sturdy stable and safe option for back and side sleepers, however the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers may have issues with it.
Safety
It's vital to make sure that the cot bed you select is safe for your child. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it transforms into an infant bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough room for a safe sleep for your little one. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure the mattress is firm and laid flat inside the cot. It could be a suffocation hazard if it is soft, old, or damaged. Examine for any areas of sagging which could be hazardous and then test how the mattress will spring back after pressing it. A good quality mattress for cots should be firm and lie flat when you press it down on its centre.
Keep the cot free of toys, smudges and other items that could be a danger to choking. It is essential that babies be able to move around freely and rotate during sleep. If your crib has a drop side be sure to check it regularly to ensure that the mechanism is locked securely.
It's recommended to avoid placing a cot near a radiator or sunny window, as they could get too hot or get sunburned upon waking up. It is also important to keep the cot away from cords for curtains that are mounted on the wall, baby monitor cables and decorative accessories with long cords. Babies can be strangled by these cords, and older children could pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the cot.
For Scandi style and a premium finish the cot is worth the cost over the cheaper alternatives. It's not the easiest to assemble however the instructions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not cheap but it will last your child until they reach the age of toddlers.
Design
It is important to remember that you are likely investing in furniture that will last a long time when you shop for a small bed. Unlike cribs which are used for a limited period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from the time the time when a child can easily transition into the toddler or single bed. To ensure the cot you're buying will last, look out for a model that has adjustable heights for the base. This feature allows you to lower the mattress height as your baby grows, ensuring they stay secure and comfortable for a longer time.
A great design feature is the ability to remove the cot bars into sections. This is a great way to give your little one a feeling of independence once they begin toddle, and will assist them in and out of their bed quickly. For more flexibility, some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a cosy sofa simply by taking off the front of the bed.
Many cots have slatted designs that are ideal for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This is a significant difference when it comes to comfort, and can make the difference to ensure that your baby has a good night's sleep.
A compact cot, also known as a the cot-bed, is an excellent investment in your baby's security and sleeping habits. It's also an ideal addition to any nursery. With so many designs available to pick from, it's worth taking the time to explore the wide range of cots and beds on offer at Cuckooland to find the style that's perfect for you.
You'll also find that a range of accessories, including baby bumpers, soft duvets, and premium bed linen, are available for each crib to make it look more complete. This makes it simple to put together a cosy and warm environment for your baby to enjoy the best possible rest and ensures that they are enjoying every aspect of their new home.