How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is elegant and sleek thanks to its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it a great accessory to any nursery. It's also tidy with a drawer as well as a handy anti bite plastic strip on the top rails.
This smart crib could be the answer for your fussy baby. It responds to their cry with soft sounds that mimic the baby's womb.
Size
A good cot size is a compromise between providing your baby with space to grow, and not overcrowding the nursery by a huge bed. The standard UK size of a cot is 70cm by 140cm. This should be adequate to fit most babies until they are around three years of age. Some cots could have curves or other features that could affect the fit of a mattress. It is therefore crucial to double check your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.
You can find cots at a variety of high-street stores, including Dunelm or Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, which means you can return a cot if it isn't what you want. It's also worth shopping online, as you can get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot, and the way it will look in your nursery.
If you're in search of a top-quality crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot will monitor your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology will help your baby get a good night's sleep. It can be used in any cot or crib. It is a great option for infants or babies who have breathing issues and can also track their sleep cycles and aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your little one.
Another great alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot is made out of solid beech, and comes with a the ability to remove the panel and transform it into an infant bed. It also comes with an impressive variety of mattress positions, meaning you can customize the height of your child's sleeping area as they expand. It's a great choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with sloped ceilings. Our panel also found it easy to put together.
Another cot that is budget-friendly is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It comes in a variety of colors from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth until the time your child reaches the age of four. It has three mattress options that allow you to easily reach your Baby Cot. It can also be converted into a toddler bed by taking the side panels off and adding the footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and comes with a mattress included.
Safety
Cots and cots are essential for your baby's nursery However, they must be secure. Find a cot that has the code BS EN 716 and that is certified to meet British safety standards. It should have a flat, firm mattress, and should not be filled with duvets or bumpers that aren't recommended.
If you're purchasing a used cot, make sure to verify the date of purchase. Lead paint can be poisonous for infants. Check for indications of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where children may rub their hands because this can cause skin irritation. Examine any stickers or transfers that might peel off, posing the risk of choking your baby.
Some cots come with additional features, such as teething rails or storage drawers. One of our mom testers praised this John Lewis model for being both stylish and functional. It's easy to put together, and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also said it was also one of the most simple cribs to transform into a toddler-sized bed. The cot has an organizer that can be used to keep the nursery cots neat. It also comes with three heights that are adjustable that allow you to use it to accommodate your growing baby.
The depth of the cot is another important consideration. You should choose the cot to have at least 50cm in depth, as this will prevent your child from climbing the cot when they become more mobile. It is also worth considering the type of cot mattress you'll need, since there are a myriad of options available from foam and spring interiors to natural materials for allergy sufferers. You may also want to think about purchasing a cot protector to protect your mattress from stains and spills when you are planning to purchase an entirely new cot. It's worth hiring an expert to examine the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. It's typically around PS100 but it's well worth it to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child, it's easy to be engrossed in safety and specs. But don't forget the design. A cot is going to be used for a long time, so it's crucial to choose one that is suitable for your baby's room as well as your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds come in a variety of styles and colours that will 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. The drawer under the bed is a practical feature which has helped it get top marks with our panel, while teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as useful as it is stylish. Our testers also liked that the cot was easy to build and was delivered in a flatpack, complete with clearly labeled parts and easy instructions.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a chic and functional cot. It combines the style of Scandi with the benefit of being able grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a mini cot beds or until your child is five years older, at which point it can be transformed into a toddler bed by the removal of the side. Its sleek oval design and high-quality construction impressed our test subjects, but the price tag may be a hindrance for some.
A cot is a safe place for your baby to lay throughout the day and at night however it is essential to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and follow them closely to ensure that your child is safe and comfortable. If you choose a model with bars that are not properly spaced, your baby may be trapped or choke. You should also make sure that the mechanism for dropping is reliable and does not allow your child to lower it.
It is also important to ensure that the cot you purchase is in compliance with UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip across the top of the bars. This information is usually found in the product description of cots or cot beds, but you may also check the retailer's website.
Convertibility
Some models are made to last for an extended period of time. The majority of popular cots can be converted into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you continue using it long after the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive as they need to hold the weight of the larger child for a longer period, but they can provide excellent value for the money if you plan to continue using them once your baby is older.
It is essential to ensure that the cot you choose is in compliance with UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product's page to confirm this, and check that it has a base that is fully slatted and does not have gaps in any of the sides. If it doesn't then you'll need to purchase a separate bed mattress.
Some cots have extra features, such as a drawer for storage or rails for teething. These can help save space and make life easier for parents. Others are easy to assemble, which is perfect when you're short on time or worried about putting it together. One of our mom testers gave the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.
Another option is the gorgeous Boori cot, which has an elegant design and comes with a variety of finishes to match your nursery. It can be converted into a toddler bed by removing one of the sides of the cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot using the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to match your room, and one of our test parents said hers lasted through three children.
Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It comes with an modular design that allows it to be expanded into various configurations. The mini cotbed model can be used from birth however, with the addition of a side it can be converted into a toddler's bed. When your child is older you can upgrade to the junior bed. It's also a top option for aesthetics, with our panel loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.