How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
With its sleek minimalist design and warm oak finish this cot from Silver Cross looks stylish in any nursery. It's also tidy with a drawer as well as a handy anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails.
This crib with smart technology could be the solution for your child who is fussy. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the womb.
Size
A good cot size balances giving your baby the space to grow, but not overwhelming the nursery with a huge bed. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm x 140cm. This should be adequate to fit most babies until they reach three years old. Certain cots might have curved edges or other features that could affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore crucial to check the cot's footprint prior buying.
There are cots available at a variety of high-street stores, including Dunelm or Ikea. Many also offer a returns policy, which means you can return the cot if it doesn't meet your requirements. It's also worth shopping online, as you can 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. The cot will listen to your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to aid your baby's journey to peaceful sleep. it can be used with any crib or cot. It's ideal for babies with breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It also monitors their sleep patterns to help you better know your child's behavior.
Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot, made from solid beech, features an adjustable panel that transforms it into a bed for toddlers. It also comes with an impressive range of mattress base positions that allows you to alter the height of your child's bed as they grow. It's also a great choice for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to construct.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a variety of colors from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth up until your child is four. It has three mattress settings that allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a Toddler Bed by taking the side panels off and adding a footboard. The cot has a mattress, and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an essential part of the nursery of your baby's but they have to be safe too. Find an cot that has been certified to meet the British safety standards and has the code BS EN 716. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and should not be filled with duvets or bumpers, which 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 poisonous for infants. Examine for signs of wear and tear, especially on the sides where children may rub their hands as this may cause irritation to the skin. Also, it's worth checking for any stickers or transfers because they can come off and pose an choking risk to your baby.
Certain cots are equipped with extra features, such as teething rails or storage drawers. One of our mum testers was particularly impressed by this model from John Lewis which is both elegant and practical. It's easy to assemble and all the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She added that it was also one of the most simple cribs to transform into a toddler-sized bed. The cot comes with a drawer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three heights that are adjustable that allow you to use it to accommodate your growing baby.
The depth of the cot is a further important aspect to consider. You should choose a cot with at least 50cm of depth to prevent your child from climbing onto the cot when they become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the kind of mattress you'll need, since there are many choices out available, including foam and spring interiors to natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. You may also want to think about purchasing a cot protector to protect the mattress from spills and stains if you plan to purchase a new cot. If you're purchasing a secondhand cot, it's worth getting a professional to assess its safety and repair any damage. This will cost you around PS100, but it is well worth it to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
When buying for a child it's easy to become engrossed in the safety and specifications. But don't overlook the design. It's important to choose a cot that matches your baby's nursery as well as your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds come in different colourways and designs that are perfect for any furniture or interiors that you've selected for your baby's initial bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a fantastic illustration of how stylish a cot can be. The drawer under the bed is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel. Likewise, teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. Our test participants also appreciated that the cot was easy to build and was delivered in a flatpack, complete with labelled parts and simple instructions.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines the design of Scandi with the function of a cot that can 'grow' with your child. cribs beds can be used from the time of birth as a cot or until your child is five years old. older, at which point it can be converted to a toddler bed by the removal of the side. Its sleek oval design and quality construction impressed our testers however, the price may be a hindrance for some.
A crib is a safe space for your baby to sleep during the day and night, but it's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines carefully and follow them with care to ensure that your child is safe and comfortable. If you choose a model with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke. you should also check that the drop-side mechanism operates smoothly and reliably and isn't easily lifted by your child.
It is also important to ensure that the cot you buy conforms to UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which includes an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the bars. This information is usually found in the description of the product for cots or cot beds, however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.
Convertibility
It is possible that your cot to last a long time and some models are designed to do just that. The most popular models convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas that allow you to use them beyond the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive because they have to support the weight of a larger child for a longer period of time, but they can provide excellent value for money if you intend to keep using them after your baby has grown.
It's important to make sure that the cot you choose is in compliance with UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the page of the product to confirm. Also, ensure that the base is completely slatted with no gaps on all sides. If it does not then you'll need to purchase a separate mattress for your bed.
Some cots also come with extra features such as storage drawers and rails for teething, which can help to save space and make parenting experience simpler. Some cots are easy to put together, which is ideal when you're strapped for time or are worried about putting them together. One of our mom test subjects rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another option. It has a classic design and comes in a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be converted to a toddler bed by removing one side of the cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot with the addition of a footboard. It comes in a variety of sizes that can be adapted to your space. One of our test subjects said that her bed was able to last through 3 children.
Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an modular design that permits you to expand it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for use from birth however, with the addition of a side it can be converted into an infant's bed. When your child reaches an older age, you can make the switch to an adult bed. Our panel also chose it due to its design. They loved the natural finish and oval shape.