How to Choose the best cots uk Cots in the UK
With its sleek minimalist design and warm oak finish, this cot from Silver Cross looks stylish in any nursery. It's also tidy by having a drawer and a handy anti-bite plastic strip that runs across the top rails.
This smart crib could be the solution to soothe your fussy baby. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A good cot size is a compromise between giving your baby the space to grow and not overwhelming the nursery with massive beds. The standard UK cot size is 70cm x 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most infants until they reach around three years of age. However, some cots come with curved corners or other features that could cause issues with the fitting of a mattress, so it is important to double-check the footprint of your cot prior to making a buy.
There are cots available at a variety of high-street stores such as Dunelm or Ikea. Many also offer a returns policy, so you can return a cot if it isn't what you want. 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're seeking a high-quality cot that is of high-end quality, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great choice. This cot monitors the baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve a restful sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's ideal for babies who have breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It also monitors their sleep patterns to help you better know your child's behavior.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. This minimalist cot is constructed from solid beech and features the ability to remove the panel and transform it into a toddler bed. It also has an impressive range of mattress bases that allows you to alter the level of your child's sleeping space as they grow. It's a great choice for small bedrooms or those with a sloped ceiling. Our panel was also easy to put together.
The Elementary cot, part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a different budget-friendly option. It's available in a range of finishes, from white to dark slate grey and can be used from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress height settings, which allow you reach your baby easily and can be turned into an infant bed by removing the sides and adding an additional footboard. The crib comes with a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an essential element of the nursery for your baby, but they have to be safe too. Look for a cot with the code BS EN 716 and that is certified to meet British safety standards. It must have a flat, firm mattress, and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers that aren't suggested.
If buying a secondhand cot, be sure that it's not too old as paint could contain lead which is harmful to babies. Check for signs that the cot has been used, especially around the sides, where a child might rub their hands. This could cause irritation to the skin. Also, it's worth checking for any transfer or stickers since they could peel off and create an choking risk to your baby.
Certain cots are equipped with extra features, such as teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum testers particularly praised this model from John Lewis which is both elegant and practical. It's easy to assemble and all pieces are alphabetized," she said. She added that it was also one of the most simple recommended cribs to convert into a toddler bed. It also comes with an optional drawer that helps you keep the nursery tidy and comes with three adjustable heights so you can use it as your child grows.
The depth of the cot is an additional important factor to consider. Choose a cot which is at a minimum 50cm deep, as this will stop your child from escaping when they start to grow more mobile. It is also important to consider the type of mattress you'll require, as there are a myriad of options available, including foam and spring interiors to natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you're planning to buy a new cot you might be interested in a mattress protector to safeguard against spills or stains. It's worth hiring an expert to examine the safety of an old cot and fix any damage. It's usually around PS100 but it's worth the investment to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
It can be easy to get bogged down on safety and spec when purchasing a baby's cot but remember to think about style. 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 and your decor. Numerous cots and bed are available in different colours and designs to match the furniture and interiors of your nursery that you select for your baby's bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib can be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel. Likewise, teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make this best cot newborn bed as useful as it is fashionable. The cot is easy to put together, despite the fact that it is flat-packed, and comes with easy instructions and clearly labeled parts.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi style with the practicality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used from the time of birth as a cot or until your child turns five years old. older, at which point it can be transformed into a toddler bed by the removal of the side. Our testers were impressed by its high-quality construction and smooth oval finish however, it could be a little too pricey for some.
If you choose the model with bars that are too close your child could be trapped or choke. You should also ensure that the drop-side mechanism functions smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you choose a model with bars that are too close together the baby cots on sale could get trapped or choke, and you must also ensure that the mechanism for dropping works smoothly and effectively and cannot be easily removed by your child.
You should also ensure that the cot you buy is compliant with UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and when it transforms into bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip across the top of the bars. This information is usually found in the description of the product for best cots uk or cot beds but you may also check the website of the seller.
Convertibility
It is possible that your cot to last for a long time and some models are designed to accomplish that. Many popular cots can be transformed into sofas or toddler beds. This allows you to keep using it after the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive due to the fact that they must support the weight of the larger child for a longer period, but they can provide excellent value for your money if you are planning to use them until your Baby beds has grown.
It's important to make sure that the cot you choose meets UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the product's website to confirm. Also, ensure the base is completely slatted with no gaps on all sides. If it doesn't, you will have to purchase a new mattress for your bed.
Some cots come with extra features like storage drawers and rails for teething, which can help you save space and make your parenting life easier. Some cots are easy to put together, which is great in case you're running out of time or are concerned about putting them together yourself. The John Lewis cot bed, for example, was rated by one of our mum testers as the most simple flatpack to put together and comes with clear instructions and pictures.
Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which comes with a timeless design and comes in a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be transformed into a toddler bed by removing one side of the cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot using the addition a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to match your space. One of our test parents reported that it lasted for three children.
Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to transform it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for babies and can be converted 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. Our panel chose it for its aesthetics. They loved the natural finish and the oval shape.