Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots are designed to keep children from climbing out of the bed or becoming suffocated when they fall into the gaps between the mattress and the cot. They should not have any protrusions or sharp edges.
The majority of cots have four secure sides to ensure your baby's security throughout the day. They often come in the fixed size and could be converted into a toddler bed as your child grows up.
Standard Cots
Standard cots are ideal for small nurseries and can be fitted alongside parents' beds and allow parents to watch their child as they sleep. These cots have fixed sides to stop babies from climbing over them. But once infants can crawl and stand up, the sides can become dangerous and therefore they need to be removed in order to prevent your child from falling out of the their bed or causing injury to themselves.
Cots are usually circular in shape to help reduce space and are smaller than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a comfortable and safe space for your baby to rest in. They can be easily moved between rooms and are usually on wheels or castors that enable you to move them around easily.
Many cots offers are basic and simple. Some have extra features like teething rails or drawers for storage. The best cots are made of natural materials because they are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. They should be kept free of stuffed toys or pillows as these can pose a risk of suffocation for young children.
A cot-bed is a larger version of a cot with a removable side and end panels. It can be converted into a toddler's bed once your baby grows out of it. This feature is particularly beneficial if you are expecting to have more than one child as it eliminates the need to switch between various kinds of furniture, and also saves money on separate beds. Most cribs are suitable from birth until your infant is two years old, depending on their weight and size.
Drop-side Cots
A cot that has drop sides is perfect if you suffer from back pain as it means that you aren't bending over the side as much. This is important since back problems are one of the most common problems amongst new mothers and pregnant women particularly those who have suffered back injuries in the past.
This type of cot also means that your baby can be reached more easily throughout the day without you needing to be concerned about your back or lifting them. It is essential to ensure that there is at least 4cm between the base of the mattress and the mattress to prevent your child from escaping.
We suggest you call us at Baby's Hyperstore if are unsure which cot is best for your requirements. We can talk about your options. We can help you find a safe, stylish cot that will grow with your child, meeting all mandatory safety standards.
Our top choice is the John Lewis Elementary cot which was a top performer in our tests for its ease to construct. Gina mother tester has said that it was "a simple assembly with clearly and with illustrations". It comes with teething rail, a drawer for storage and 3 different mattress height positions.
The cot's sturdiness and sturdy construction makes it a great option for babies that sleep through the night. It is important to ensure that the slats on the cot's frame are properly secured and not too loose.
Another thing to check for is whether the cot has been certified as meeting British safety standards. Before 2011, US cots were not tested in the same way as UK models and this led to unsafe designs being prohibited in the USA. Find a cot with an auto-locking drop side in the upward position. It requires two consecutive actions to unlock. This will stop your child from being able to pull the side down in order to climb out.
Corner Cots
While photos of styled nursery pictures might show blankets that are artistically draped around a cot, according to Red Nose, a charity fighting to stop sudden infant deaths, all fabrics placed near the cheap baby cots for sale should be pulled into a tight swaddle to avoid the danger of being suffocated. Red Nose advises that curtains or blinds shouldn't be hung above the cot, since they pose a strangulation risk and babies can catch their heads against them when they roll over in their sleep.
A budget buy that's surprisingly robust, this crib bed is suitable from birth until toddler age. It has a wide range of mattress bases and can be easily converted into an infant bed by removing one side panel. It is also a great option for parents with ceilings that slope, since it comes with lockable castors that stop the cot from falling down.
Another cot that is easy to convert, this vintage-style wooden cot bed can be used from birth until the child is 4 years old. It has an unusual oval shape that means it won't get stuck in corners and is able to easily fit through standard door frames. By removing the bars you can transform the cot into a fashionable bed for older children.
This curve-shaped sale cot-bed is an excellent investment that will create an impressive centerpiece for any nursery. It is available in a stylish green and off-white. It's a great choice for parents who are looking for a long-lasting product. It can be transformed into a bed for toddlers by removing its sides and into a twin for older children when the front rails are removed. It is also extremely durable and comes with a storage compartment with teething rails as well as an excellent hanger for blankets or muslins.
Cots with Drawers
There are many options available on the market, whether you need extra storage space for your baby cots on sale's bedding or clothing or a design that will expand with them. Some cots convert to toddler beds, making the change over simple when your little one outgrows it. Some come with built-in drawers to store things in and some have a changing area included!
A cot with drawers is great to store all your little one's favourite toys, muslin towels or blankets in, and it helps in tidying up as you can keep everything in one place. A majority of these cots feature anti-bite strips of plastic on the sides, which are great for babies who are teething!
The Ikea Sniglar is an excellent choice if you are on a tight budget but nevertheless want a stylish and practical cot. It's slimline and simple design will fit in the majority of rooms. It is compatible with an ordinary mattress for a cot and comes with three adjustable heights for the base to accommodate the growing baby. It can be transformed into a bed for toddlers by taking off the side panel. There are matching furniture pieces to go along with it.
Although it can be a bit difficult to build (one of our testers complained that the instructions were not clear) Once it's assembled, it's lightweight and strong. It also comes with a bonus: a tilting feature that can help with colic or reflux. It's also available in lots of different colors, so you can match it with other nursery furniture if you're going for a cohesive style.
Cots with Storage
If you wish to keep your baby's bedding and toys away from view but still within easy reach, a cot with storage is ideal. The majority of cots have a handy drawer where you can put away a lot of your essentials, and some have hanging rails for muslin cloths or blankets and teething rails to guard the cot sides from your little one's chewing urges.
Based on the style of your cot you might be able to turn it into an infant bed or a day bed if your child is ready for a change and some transform into a junior bed after your child is five. This provides you with great value for money and will ensure that your cot will be part of the family for years to come, but be sure to verify the dimensions to make sure it will fit into the nursery before purchasing.
If you're looking to find a stylish cot that can be used from birth to two years and will grow with your child Look no further than the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh mini cotbed. The classic cot features a simple design, but it offers many features such as an under-bed drawer to store items and a rail for teething and adjustable height levels. It's also a breeze to assemble with alphabetically labelled parts and excellent instructions.
For a more advanced sleep solution for your child, the SNOO Smart Sleeper is baby cot, bassinet and moses basket all in one. It's set to revolutionize the way babies sleep and is backed by the expertise of international sleep consultants. The cost is expensive and might not be within the budget of a lot of families. You can learn more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our full review.