With its sleek, minimalist design and warm oak finish this cot from Silver Cross looks stylish in any nursery. A drawer as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top rails help keep it neat too.
If your child is a grumpy sleeper, this smart crib might be the answer. It makes soft sounds that sound like the womb.Size
A good cot size is a compromise between giving your baby room to grow, and not overcrowding the nursery with massive beds. The standard UK cot size is 70cm by 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most infants until they reach three years of age. Some cots could have curves or other features that can affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore crucial to double check your cot's footprint prior to purchasing.
There are cots available at a variety of high-street stores including Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers have an exchange policy so that you can return a cot that isn't suitable for your requirements. It's also worth shopping on the internet, as you will get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot and how it will look in your nursery.
If you're in search of a top-quality cot, check out the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot monitors your baby's crying and responds by gently rocking the baby to sleep, imitating the sounds of the womb. This technology will help your baby get a great night's rest. It can be placed in any cot or crib. It's perfect for babies who have breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It can also track their sleep cycles to help you better understand your child's routines.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. The cot is minimalist and constructed of solid beech and has a the ability to remove the panel and transform it into a toddler bed. It also comes with an impressive variety of mattress positions, meaning you can customize the size of your child's sleeping area as they expand. It's an excellent choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with sloped ceilings. Our panel also found it easy to set up.
The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It is available in a variety of finishes, from white to dark slate grey, and is suitable for use from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress settings that let you easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a Toddler Bed by removing the side panels and adding the footboard. The cot has a mattress, and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an important part of the nursery of your baby's however, they must be safe too. Choose a cot that is certified to meet British safety standards and has the code BS EN 716. It should also have a solid flat mattress and should not be stuffed with duvets and bumpers that aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're purchasing a used cot, be sure to determine the age of it. Lead paint can be toxic for babies. Look for indications that the cot has been used, particularly around the sides, where a child could rub their hands. This can cause skin irritation. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that may be removed, posing the risk of choking your baby.
Certain cots are equipped with extra features like teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mum testers praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's really easy to put together, and has all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, adding that it's one of the most simple cots to transform into the toddler bed. The cot has a drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also comes with three heights that are adjustable that allow you to use it for your growing baby.
Another consideration is the depth of the cot. Choose a cot which is at least 50cm in depth in order to stop your child from climbing out when they begin to grow more mobile. There are many options for cot mattresses, including spring interiors, foam or natural materials for those who suffer from allergies. You may also want to consider purchasing a cot cover to protect the mattress from spills and stains when you are planning to purchase a brand new cot. It's worth hiring an expert to assess the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. It's usually about PS100 but it's worth it for peace of mind.
Style
It's easy to get bogged down with spec and safety when purchasing a baby's cot, but don't forget about the design. It is crucial to choose the right cot for your baby's nursery and your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds come in a variety of colors and designs that will look great with the furniture or interiors you've chosen for your baby's first bedroom.The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib can be. The drawer under the bed is a useful feature that has helped it get top marks on our panel, and teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as useful as it is stylish. Our test participants also appreciated that the cot was easy to construct and was delivered in a flatpack with labelled parts and simple instructions.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a chic and functional cot. It combines Scandi style with the functionality of being able to grow with your child. It can be used as a cot right from birth until the time your child is five, at which point you can transform it to a toddler's bed by removing a side. Its smooth oval finish and high-quality construction impressed our testers however, the price may be a hindrance for some.
A cot is a safe place for your baby to lay during the day and night however it is essential to go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them with care to ensure that your child is comfortable and secure. If you choose a cot with bars that are not properly separated, your baby could be trapped or choke. Also, you should make sure that the mechanism for dropping is reliable and does not allow your child to lower it.
You should also ensure that the cot you buy conforms to UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and if it converts into bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the bars. Most cots and cot beds will include this information in the description of the product or on their website, but If you are concerned it's a good idea to speak with the retailer to be certain.
Convertibility
You may want your cot to last a long time, and certain models are designed to do just that. The most popular convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas that allow you to use it past the infant stage. These are more expensive because they have to support the weight of a larger child for Cots4Tots a longer time, but they can provide excellent value for your money if you are planning to use them until your baby is older.
It is essential to ensure that the cot you choose is in compliance with UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the product's page to confirm. Also, ensure the base is fully slatted with no gaps at all sides. If it does not, you will need to purchase a separate mattress.
Some cots are equipped with additional features such as a storage drawer or rails for teething. These can help save space and make life easier for parents. Some cots are simple put together, which is a great benefit when you're strapped for time or you're worried about putting them together yourself. The John Lewis cot bed, for example was rated by one our mom testers as the'most simple flatpack to assemble and comes with clear instructions and images.
The Boori cot is a different alternative. It has a timeless design and comes in a variety of finishes that will fit your nursery. It can be turned into a toddler bed, by removing one side of the cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot by the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to match your space, and one of our test parents stated that hers lasted through three kids.
Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It comes with an open design that allows it to be adapted into various configurations. The mini model is ideal from birth and then converts into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and then it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready for it. Our panel also chose it due to its design. They loved the natural finish and the oval shape.
