Buying Small Cot Beds
When you are looking for a compact cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features but consider the design too. A well-designed bed can make smaller rooms appear larger and less clutter-filled.
This model is ideal for bedrooms with small spaces. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's the most simple flatpack assembly.
Space-saving
Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots, however they still provide all the comfort and safety features your baby needs. They can be used from birth, or until your toddler is old enough to transition to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be transformed into a stylish sofa 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 you can easily disassemble and put up again when you need to make room for other baby items. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines the changing unit with a chest of drawers, a changing table and a bench seat in one piece of furniture.
Our list of cots for small children and cribs includes a variety of sizes, meaning there's something to fit in every space. Many of the designs on our list come with an adjustable mattress which makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding clean and tidy.
When selecting a cot, it's important to measure the space in your nursery. You should also check the dimensions to ensure it's suitable before purchasing. Also, you should consider the gap between the bars, as this needs to be no greater 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's built to last with a sturdy construction and high-quality materials, and it's easy to alter as your baby grows. It's however a more expensive option than some of the other top rated cots we've reviewed, and you'll need to buy a separate mattress when you pick this model.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a smaller nursery and is our choice of the best crib for newborn value cot. It's packed full of 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. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be required to help with the toddler conversion.
Comfort
Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will help your baby sleep well. These are designed to be firmer than a traditional cot mattress but still soft enough that your child will get an enjoyable night's sleep.
The cushioning of these mattresses helps in preventing the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants and chemicals, as well as other substances that could cause irritation to your baby's skin.
These mattresses are a great option for side and back sleepers, as they offer adequate support for the head, neck and body. These mattresses can be used together with the built-in cradle that comes with a cot, which can be helpful for colic or reflux.
When choosing a small mattress cot bed that has a cushioned mattress it is essential to verify the dimensions of the mattress as well as whether it will fit into the cot's base. You can also find out if there are any other specific rules and regulations to adhere to when buying a cot mattress like the minimum thickness.
If you're in search of a cot bed that can adapt to your child's needs, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It's a cot that can be converted into an infant bed. This saves you the expense of buying a new bed for your child when they are ready.
Our test panel loved this cot's easy setup and easy setup, with 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 collapses into itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It's also compact and lightweight and can easily fit into a bag slightly larger than a camp chair's case, and is ideal for transporting to grandparents' houses.
The cot is extremely comfortable despite being bigger than other models in our tried-and-tested range. It is designed to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that can absorb the weight without making your child feel like they're in the bouncer. It's also a solid stable and safe option for side and back sleepers, but senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.
Safety
For your baby's safety, it is essential to ensure that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to comply with. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into a toddler bed. Check that it is appropriate for the nursery and is big enough for your child to be safe. It should measure 140cm by 70cm, and not have any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure that the mattress is firm and lies flat in the cot. It could pose dangerous to suffocate when it is squishy or worn out. Check for any sagging areas that could be dangerous, and test to see how the mattress springs back when pressing down on 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 any toys, stickers and other items that could pose a choking risk. It is essential that babies be able to move around freely and rotate while they sleep. If your cot features a drop-side, check it regularly to make sure the mechanism is secured.
Do not put the cot next to the heat source or a bright window. They could get too warm or awake with sunburn. It is also important to keep the cot clear of wall mounted curtain cords as well as baby monitor cables and decorative accessories with long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, while older babies could climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars for the cot.
This cot is definitely worth the extra expense for those who want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. It's a bit laborious to put together but the directions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It's not cheap however it will last your child right into their toddler years and look stunning in any nursery cots.
Design
When looking for a compact cot sale bed, it's crucial to remember that you're likely investing in an item that will last for a long time. Unlike cribs, which are used only for a brief period of time, cots are appropriate from the moment a baby is born until they can easily transition to the toddler bed or single bed. To ensure that the cot you purchase will last, look for a model that has adjustable base heights. This feature allows you to lower the mattress in height as your child grows, ensuring they stay in a safe and comfortable position for longer.
Another design element to keep an eye for is the ability to take sections of the cot bars. This is a great way to give your baby a sense of independence once they begin playing, and can help them get in and out of their bed easily. Some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa by removing the front.
Many cots have slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby cots online. This can make a huge difference in terms of comfort and help ensure that your baby enjoys a good sleep.
A small cot or bed is a great investment for your baby's sleeping habits and security, and is an attractive addition to any nursery setting. Cuckooland offers a variety of beds and cots to pick from.
You'll also find that an array of accessories, including baby bumpers and soft duvets with premium bed linen, are available for each crib to make it look more complete. This allows you to create a welcoming and cosy environment for your baby, making sure they get the best crib rest possible.