Buying Small Cot Beds
When looking for a small cot bed It's easy to get caught up on the spec and safety features but consider the design too. A well-designed cot can help make the space appear larger and less cluttered.
This model is ideal for bedrooms with small spaces. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's also the simplest flatpack to assemble.
Space-saving
Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots, but still have all the safety and comfort features your baby needs. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed at the age of 2. Some models convert to an elegant sofa bed to use with older children too.
To make cot beds for sale cots4totsuk of your space, consider the right model that will fit with the furniture in your bedroom or one that can easily dismantle and reassemble when you need to make room for other baby items. You may also want to consider a cot that is compact bed with built-in storage or multi-functional designs that combine a chest of drawers with a changing table and bench seats into one piece of furniture.
There is a wide selection of sizes in our cots for small spaces and cribs roundup and, therefore, no matter if you have a small nursery or a spacious playroom there's a bed that will suit your space. Many of the designs on our list come with an adjustable mattress which helps keep your baby's bedding clean and tidy.
It's important that you measure the space available in your nursery before purchasing a cot. You should also look at the gap between the bars as this should not be more than 6.5cm to ensure safety.
Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which can fit an average 120 x 60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful sleigh-style frame. It's designed to last, with a sturdy construction with high-quality materials, and is easy to adjust as your baby grows. However, it's a more expensive option than some of the other cots on our list and you'll have to buy a separate mattress if you choose this model.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a small nursery, and it's our pick of the most value-for-money cot. It comes with a variety of extra features that include teething rails. There are two height positions that can be adjusted to suit the growth of your baby. It is also super easy to put together. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be required for the toddler conversion.
Comfort
As a parent, you want your child to enjoy an enjoyable, safe sleeping environment and one of the best ways to help them get a good night's sleep is to choose a small cot bed that has a comfortable mattress. They are more firm than standard cot mattresses, but soft enough to ensure that your baby gets a good night's rest.
The cushioning on these mattresses also helps to prevent the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used to make the mattress are free of irritants and chemicals to ensure that they don't irritate your baby's delicate skin.
These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers, as they offer adequate support for the neck, head and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built in cradling, which many parents find to be helpful for reflux and colic.
It is crucial to measure the size of the mattress and ensure that it can fit into the base of the cot before purchasing a small cot. You can also find out whether there are specific rules and regulations you need to follow when purchasing a cot mattress including the minimum thickness.
The adaptable design from Vox is a great choice for parents looking for an cot that can grow with their child. It starts out as an cot, but it can be converted into an infant bed, saving you from the expense of buying an entirely new bed once your child is ready for it.
Our panel of testers enjoyed the cot's simple setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out from the box and was unfolded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap into place and the cot folds down without a complicated mechanism to deal with. It is also compact and light, fitting into a carry case that is larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting this cot from grandparents' homes.
Despite being larger than other models in our tried and tested line-up, this cot is extremely comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that absorbs the weight without making your child feel like they're in the bouncer. It's also a sturdy, stable option for both side and back sleepers, however senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby, it's essential to verify whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to comply with. Look for the BS EN code or BS8509 in case you're planning to transform it into a toddler's bed. Make sure it's the right size for the nursery and has enough space for your child to sleep safely. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure that the mattress is level and firm. It could be an entrapment hazard in the event that it is soft or worn out. Test the mattress to see whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. A good quality mattress for cots should be solid and flat when you press down on the middle of it.
Keep the cot free of any toys, stickers and anything else that could pose a choking danger. It's essential that babies move around freely and roll over during sleep. If your cot has drop-sides, make sure you check it regularly to make sure the mechanism is secure.
It's recommended to avoid placing a cot near a radiator or sunny window because they may get too hot or wake up with a sunburn. Keep the cot far away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains, baby monitor cables, and other decorative items that have long cords. Babies can be strangled by these cords, while older babies could climb up on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.
This cot is worth the extra expense for those who want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. It's a bit laborious to assemble however the instructions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not cheap, but it will last your child until they reach the age of toddlers.
Design
It's important to consider that you are likely investing in furniture that will last a long time when you shop for a small bed. Unlike cribs which are used only for a brief period of time, cots and beds are suitable from birth until the time when a child can safely transition into a toddler or a single bed. To ensure the cot you buy will last, look out for a model with adjustable base heights. This feature lets you lower the mattress height as your baby grows, making sure they are secure and comfortable for a longer time.
Another important feature to look for is the ability to remove sections of cot bars. This is an excellent way to give your baby a sense of independence once they begin toddle, and will help them get in and out of their bed with ease. For even greater flexibility, some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can also be converted into a cozy sofa by removing the front of the bed.
Many cots have slatted designs which are ideal for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby. This makes a large difference in comfort, and could make the difference to ensure your baby gets an adequate night's rest.
A small cot, or the cot-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby's safety and sleeping habits. It can also be an excellent addition to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds to choose from.
For each cot, you'll find an array of accessories like soft duvets and high-end bed linen. This lets you create a an inviting and comfortable environment for your baby, ensuring they have the best sleep possible.