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. A drawer as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails help keep it neat too.
This crib is the answer for your baby who is a bit fussy. It responds to their cries with soft sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A cot that is of high quality is the right size to provide your baby with space to grow without weighing down the nursery. The standard UK cot mattress size is 70cm by 140cm, that should be enough for babies up to around three years old. Certain cots might have curved edges or other features that could affect the fit of a mattress. It is therefore essential to verify your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.
There are cots available at a wide range of retailers including Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers offer an exchange policy so that you can return a cot that doesn't fit your needs. You can also get a better idea about the size of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping online.
If you're looking for a top-notch crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot will monitor your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, simulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to aid your baby's journey to an unwinding sleep, and it can be used with any cot or crib. It's a great choice for fussy newborns and babies with breathing difficulties and it can track their sleep cycles to aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your little one.
Another alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This cot that is minimalistic, made of solid beech, comes with an easily removed panel that can be transformed into a bed for toddlers. It has a range of mattress bases, so you can alter the height of your child's sleeping space to meet their needs. It's also a great option for smaller rooms or ceilings that slope and our panel found it easy to put together.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a range of finishes from white to dark slate gray and can be used from birth until the time your child is four. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a toddler bed by taking the side panels off and adding a footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and includes a mattress.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an essential part of the nursery of your baby's however, they must be safe as well. Look for a cot with the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified to meet British safety standards. It should have a flat and firm mattress and not be stuffed with duvets, pillows or bumpers that aren't suggested.
If you're buying a used cot, be sure to determine the date of purchase. Lead paint is toxic for babies. Look for indications of wear and tear, especially on the sides where a child might rub their hands, because this can cause skin irritation. Also, it's worth checking for any stickers or transfers since they could peel off and present the risk of choking your baby.
Some cots are equipped with additional features, such as storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mum testers was extremely pleased with this John Lewis model for being stylish and functional. It's easy to assemble and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She added that it was also one of the easiest cribs to convert into a toddler bed. The cot also comes with an optional drawer to help you keep the nursery clean, and has 3 adjustable heights, so you can use it as your baby grows.
The depth of the cot is an additional important consideration. Choose a cot which is at least 50cm in depth to prevent your child from escaping when they begin to grow more mobile. There are many options for cot mattresses which include spring interiors, foam or natural materials If you have allergies. You might also consider purchasing a cot cover to protect your mattress from spills and stains in the event that you decide to purchase an entirely new cot. It's worth hiring an expert to examine the safety of your used cot and fix any damage. The cost of this service is around PS100, but it is well worth it for peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child it's easy to be engrossed in the safety and specifications. But don't forget style. A cot will be used for a long time, so it's crucial to choose one that matches your baby's room as well as your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds come in different colourways and designs that look great with any nursery furniture or interiors you have selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed illustrates how stylish a crib could be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a useful feature that helped it score high marks with our panel. Likewise, teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as useful as it is stylish. Our testers also loved that the cot was simple to construct and was delivered in a flatpack, with labelled parts and simple instructions.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a fashionable, functional cot. It combines Scandi style with the functionality of being able to 'grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child turns five years old. of age, at which point it could be converted to a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Its smooth oval finish and sturdy construction impressed our test subjects, but the price tag might be a problem for some.
A cot is a safe place for your baby to rest during the day and night It is important to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and follow them with care to ensure that your child is safe and comfortable. If you select a model with bars that are too close the baby could get trapped or choke, and you must also ensure that the mechanism for dropping works well and efficiently and cannot be easily lowered by your child.
You should also ensure that the cot you buy is in compliance with UK safety standards, typically BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the bars. Most cots and cot beds will have this information in the product description or on their website, but if you have any concerns it's a good idea to speak with the seller to confirm.
Convertibility
Some models are made to last for many years. The most popular models convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas which allows you to use it past the infant stage. They are more expensive because they have to support the weight of a child for a longer period of time. However they are a great investment if you plan to use them long after your baby is grown.
A cot is among the most important purchases you'll make for your new baby It is crucial to ensure that it complies with strict UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and check that it has a base that's fully slatted and does not have gaps on all sides. If it does not, you will have to purchase a separate mattress for your bed.
Some cots are also equipped with additional features, such as storage drawers and teething rails, which can help you save space and make parenting experience simpler. Others are simple to assemble, which is perfect if you are in a hurry or are worried about putting it together. The John Lewis Mini Cot Bed bed, for instance was rated by one of our mum testers as the 'easiest flatpack to assemble and comes with clear instructions and pictures.
Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which is an elegant design and is available with a variety of finishes to match your nursery. It comes with three adjustable height positions for the mattress and can be converted to an infant cot bed bed by removing the side, and later to a junior bed by the addition of an additional footboard. It is available in various sizes that will fit your space. One of our testers stated that her bed lasted for three kids.
Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an modular design that permits you to build it into various configurations. The Mini Cotbed model is ideal from birth and then converts into a toddler bed with the addition of a side and then it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready for it. It's also a top choice for aesthetics, with our panel loving natural finish and smooth oval shape.