How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it an excellent addition to any nursery. A drawer and an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top rails keep it tidy too.
This crib with smart technology could be the solution to soothe your fussy baby. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the baby's womb.
Size
A good cot size balances giving your baby the space to grow, and not overcrowding the nursery with an enormous bed. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm by 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most infants until they reach around three years of age. Certain cots might have curves or other features that could affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore crucial to verify your cot's footprint prior buying.
There are a lot of shops on the high streets where you can browse a wide range of cots. Some include Dunelm and Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, which means you can return the cot if it doesn't meet your requirements. It's also a good idea to shop online, as you can get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot, and how it will look in your nursery.
If you are looking for a cot that is of high-quality one of the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great choice. The cot listens to the baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology helps your baby get a great night's sleep. It can be placed in any cot or crib. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or who have breathing issues and can also monitor their sleep patterns and aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your infant.
Another great alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot is made of solid beech and has a an adjustable panel that can be transformed into an infant bed. It also offers a wide variety of mattress positions, meaning you can customize the size of your child's sleeping space as they increase in height. It's an excellent choice for smaller bedrooms or those with sloped ceilings. Our panel also found it easy to put together.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It comes in a variety of finishes from white to dark slate gray and is suitable from birth up until your child reaches the age of four. It has three mattress options that will allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a toddler bed by taking the side panels off and adding the footboard. The cot comes with a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are a crucial part of the nursery of your baby's but they have to be safe as well. Look for a cot that has been certified to meet British safety standards and carries the code BS EN 716. It must have a flat, firm mattress and shouldn't be stuffed with duvets, pillows or bumpers which aren't recommended.
If you're buying a used cot, make sure to check the date of purchase. Lead paint is toxic for babies. Look for signs of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where children might rub their hands, since this could cause skin irritation. Check for any stickers and transfers that could fall off, creating the risk of choking your child.
Some cots are equipped with additional features, such as storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mum testers particularly praised this model from John Lewis which is both elegant and practical. It's simple to put together and all pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also said it was also one of the most simple cribs to transform into a toddler bed. The cot also comes with an additional drawer that can help you keep the nursery clean, and has 3 adjustable heights that allow you to use it as your baby grows.
Another thing to consider is the depth of the cot. Look for a cot that is at a minimum 50cm deep to prevent your child from climbing out when they begin to grow more mobile. There are many options for mattresses for cots that include spring interiors, foam, or natural materials If you have allergies. If you're considering buying a new cot, then you might also think about a cot mattress protector to guard against stains or spills. It's a good idea to hire an expert to examine the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. This service will cost you around PS100, but it is worthwhile to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child it's easy to become engrossed in the safety and specifications. However, don't forget about the design. A cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that suits your baby's room as well as your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds are available in a variety of styles and colours that look great with any furniture or interiors that you've chosen for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great illustration of how stylish a cot can be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a useful feature that made it a top pick with our panel, while teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. Our testers also loved that the cot was easy to build even though it is in a flatpack with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish and functional cot. It blends the Scandi style with the benefit of being able to 'grow with' your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child is five years old. old, when it can be converted to a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Its smooth oval finish and high-quality construction impressed our testers however the cost might be a problem for some.
A crib is a safe space for your baby to rest during the day and night It is important to go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them with care to ensure your baby is comfortable and secure. If you select a model with bars that are too close together your baby may get trapped or choke. you must also ensure that the mechanism for dropping works smoothly and effectively, and can't be easily removed by your child.
It is also important to ensure that the cot you purchase conforms to UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and if it converts into a bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the bars. This information is typically included in the product description of affordable cots or cot beds however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.
Convertibility
Certain models are designed to last for an extended period of time. The most popular convert into toddler beds, and sometimes even sofas that allow you to use them beyond the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive due to the fact that they must support the weight of an adult for a longer period, however they can be a great value for your money if you are planning to use them until your child is older.
A cot is among the most crucial purchases you will make for your new baby and it is essential to ensure it is in compliance with the strict UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's page to confirm this, and also make sure that it has a base that is completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in all of the sides. If it is not then you'll have to purchase a separate bed mattress.
Some cots also come with extra features such as storage drawers and teething rails that can help to save space and make parenting life easier. Some cheap cots are simple to put together, which is great in case you're running out of time or are concerned about putting them together yourself. One of our mom test subjects gave the John Lewis cot sales-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a classic style and comes in a range of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It features three adjustable height positions for the mattress and can be transformed into a toddler bed by removing the side, and later to a junior bed by the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to fit your space. One of our test parents said hers had lasted through three children.
Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an open design that allows you to expand it into different configurations. The mini model can be used from birth, but with the addition the side, it could be transformed into the bed of a toddler. If your child grows older, you can make the switch to an adult bed. It's also a top option for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.