Buying Small Cot Beds
It's easy to concentrate on the safety features and specifications when looking for a smaller bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can make a small room appear larger and less cluttered.
This model is ideal for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's light and stroller-style. It's also the easiest flatpack to put together.
Space-saving
Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots, but still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby needs. They can be used from birth, or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be turned into a chic couch bed to use with older children.
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 accommodate other baby objects. You may also want to consider a compact cot bed with built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines an armoire with a changing table and bench seat into a single piece of furniture.
Our selection of small cots and cribs features a range of sizes, so there's something to fit in every space. Many of the designs in our roundup come with a fitted bed, which makes it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.
When choosing a cot, it's important to take measurements of the space in your nursery and check the dimensions to ensure it will fit before purchasing. The gap between the bars should be no more than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.
Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot which can accommodate a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and comes with stunning sleigh-style frames. It's built to last with a sturdy build and high-quality materials, and it's simple to adjust as your child grows. However, it's a much more expensive option than some of the other cots on our list and you'll need to buy a separate mattress when you pick this model.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a small nursery, and it's our pick for the most value-for-money cot. It's stuffed with extra features, including teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's super-easy to put together too. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be required for the toddler conversion.
Comfort
Choose a small cot with an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep well. These mattresses are more rigid than the traditional cot mattress however they are soft enough to ensure your baby gets a good night sleep.
The mattresses are cushioned to reduce heat retention which can cause discomfort in certain babies. The materials used to make the mattress are free of irritants and chemical so that they won't disturb your baby's delicate skin.
These mattresses are a good option for back and side sleepers as they provide excellent support for the head, neck and body. These mattresses can be used in conjunction with the built-in cradle of the cot, which is useful for those suffering from reflux or colic.
It is crucial to measure the size of the mattress and ensure that it can fit into the base of the cot prior purchasing a small cot. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, like a minimum thickness.
best cots uk from Vox is a great option for parents looking for a cot that grows with their child. It is initially an cot, but it can be converted into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from the expense of buying an entirely new bed once your child is ready for it.
The user-friendly configuration of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace stated that it "came out of the box and was unfolded like the back of a camping chair". The middle joints snap in place and the cot collapses into itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It's also small and light, fitting into a carry case that is larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting this cot to grandparents at their homes.
Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried and tested line-up, this cot is incredibly comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that carries the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're in the bouncer. It's also a solid, stable option for both back and side sleepers but the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby, it's essential to verify whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. Look for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you're looking to transform it into a toddler's bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough room for a safe sleeping environment for your child. It should be 140cm by 70cm, and not have any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure that the mattress is firm and sits flat inside the cot. It could be an entrapment hazard when it is squishy or old, or damaged. Check for any sagging areas that could pose a danger and test how quickly the mattress will spring back after pressing it. A good quality cot mattress should feel firm and lie flat when you press down on its centre.
Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers and other things that could be a choking risk. Babies must be able to move around easily and roll throughout their sleep, which is why it's important that the cot does not have raised corner posts or cut-outs that could be used as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop side be sure to check it regularly to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.
Do not put the cot next to an open radiator or a bright window. It is possible that they will become too warm or wake up with sunburn. Also, keep your cot away from wall mounted curtain cords as well as baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, and older children may climb up on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.
This cot is well worth the extra money for those who want the Scandi style and a top quality finish. It's not the easiest to put together, but the instructions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It's not cheap but it will last through their toddler years.
Design
It's important to keep in mind that you are likely investing in furniture that will last a long time when you shop for a bed that is small. Unlike cribs, which are designed for a short period of time, cots can be used from the time a child is born until they can safely transition to the toddler bed or single bed. To ensure that the crib you purchase will last, look for a model with adjustable base heights. This feature allows you to lower the mattress's height to fit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfortable.
Another useful design feature to look out for is the ability to remove sections of the cot bars. This will provide your child with an impression of independence once they begin to play and make it easier to help them get into and out of bed. Some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa by taking out the front.
Many cots feature slatted designs that are ideal for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a big difference in the quality of sleep and can help ensure that your baby enjoys a good sleep.
A small cot, or the cot-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby's safety and sleeping habits. It can also be an excellent addition to any nursery. Cuckooland offers a variety of beds and cots to pick from.
For each crib, you'll find various accessories such as soft duvets and premium bedding. This allows you to create an inviting and cozy environment for your baby, ensuring they are getting the best quality sleep possible.