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. It's also tidy with a drawer as well as an anti-bite plastic strip that runs across the top rails.
This smart crib could be the solution to soothe your child who is fussy. It is able to respond with soft sounds that sound like the sound of a baby's womb.
Size
A cot that is the right size balances giving your baby the space to grow and not overwhelming the nursery with an enormous bed. 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 have curves or other features that can create problems with the size of a mattress, therefore it is important to check the footprint of your cot prior to making a purchase.
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. You can also get a better feel about the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping online.
If you're in search of a top-quality crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot will monitor your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve peaceful sleep. it can be used with any cot or crib. It is a great option for babies and newborns who are fussy or who have breathing issues, and it can even monitor their sleep patterns and help you understand the routines of your infant.
cot sets is another great alternative. The cot is minimalist and constructed of solid beech and has a a removable panel to transform into an infant bed. It has a range of mattress bases, so you can alter the height of your child's sleeping area to suit their requirements. It's a great choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with sloped ceilings. Our panel also found it easy to put together.
The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a different budget-friendly option. It is available in a variety of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey and is suitable from birth until the time your child is four years old. It comes with three mattress settings that let you easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a toddler bed by removing the side panels and adding a footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and includes a mattress.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are a crucial element of the nursery for your baby, but they must be safe too. Choose a cot that is marked with the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified as meeting British safety standards. It should also have a solid flat mattress, and not be stuffed with duvets and bumpers that aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're purchasing a used cot, be sure to determine the age of it. Lead paint is harmful to babies. Examine for signs of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where a child might rub their hands, because this can cause skin irritation. Also, it's worth checking for any transfer or stickers as these can peel off and create the risk of choking your baby.
Some cots come with extra features, like teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum testers praised this John Lewis model for being both stylish and functional. "It's very easy to put together, and has all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, noting that it's one of the most simple cots to transform into a toddler bed. The cot comes with an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also comes with three heights that are adjustable which means you can use it for your growing child.
Another thing to consider is the depth of the cot. You should look for a cot that is at a minimum 50cm deep, as this will stop your child from escaping when they start to become more mobile. There are a variety of options for mattresses for cots that include spring interiors, foam or natural materials If you have allergies. If you're planning to buy an entirely new cot, you might be interested in a mattress protector to safeguard against stains or spills. If you're buying an older cot, it's worth getting an expert to evaluate its safety and repair any damage. This will cost you about PS100, but it is worth it to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
When buying for a child it's easy to get caught up in the safety and specifications. But don't overlook the style. A cot will be in use for a long time so it's important to find one that suits your baby's room and your decor. There are plenty of cheap cots and cot beds come in different colourways and designs that look great with the furniture or interiors you've selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed illustrates how stylish a crib could be. The drawer under the bed is a useful feature that made it a top pick on our panel, and teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. The cot is easy to put together, even though it comes flat-packed, with easy instructions and clearly labeled parts.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi design with the functionality of a cot that is able to 'grow' with your child. It can be used as a cot from birth until the time your child reaches the age of five, when you can transform it into a bed for toddlers by removing a side. Its sleek oval design and sturdy construction impressed our test subjects, but the price tag could be a concern for some.
If you select the model with bars that are too close, your baby could become trapped or choke. You should also make sure the drop-side mechanism works well and efficiently, and can't be easily dropped by your child. If you select a model with bars that are too close the baby could get trapped or choke, and it is important to ensure that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and isn't easily removed by your child.
If you're buying an cot that converts to a mattress, be sure it complies with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 that have an anti-bite strip that is placed on the bar's top. The majority of cots and beds will have this information included in the product description or on their website, however should you have any questions you should speak to the seller to confirm.
Convertibility
It is possible that your cot to last for a long time, and certain models are designed to accomplish that. The most popular convert into toddler beds, and sometimes even sofas that allow you to use them beyond the infant stage. These are more expensive due to the fact that they must support the weight of the larger child for a longer time, however they can be a great value for the money if you plan to use them until your child is older.
It's important to make sure that the cot you choose is in compliance with UK safety standards. Check the BS EN code on the product's page to confirm. Also, ensure that the base is completely slatted with no gaps on all sides. If it isn't, you will need to purchase a separate mattress.
Full Statement come with additional features, such as a storage drawer and teething rails that can help save space and make parenting life easier. Some are simple to put together and are ideal for those who are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it together. One of our mom testers has rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.
Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which comes with an elegant design and is available in a variety of finishes to match your nursery. It can be converted to a toddler bed by removing one of the sides of the cot. It can then be converted into a junior cot using the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to suit your space. One of our test parents stated that it lasted for three kids.
Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It comes with a modular design which allows it to be adapted into various configurations. The mini model is suitable from birth, and then transforms into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and it can be converted it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready for it. It's also a top choice for aesthetics and style, thanks to our panel that loves the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.