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 a wonderful addition to any nursery. Baby beds as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on its top rails will help keep it neat too.
If your child is a fussy sleeper, this smart crib might be the solution. It is able to respond with soothing sounds that resemble the womb.
Size
A cot that is the right size balances giving your baby the space to grow and not overcrowding the nursery with massive beds. The standard UK cot mattress size is 70cm x 140cm, which should accommodate most infants up to three years old. Certain cots might have curving edges or other features that could impact the size of a mattress. It is therefore crucial to verify your cot's footprint prior buying.
There are plenty of shops on the high streets that offer a wide range of cots, such as Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers offer the option of a return policy, so you can return the cot that doesn't meet your requirements. You can also get a feel about the size of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping online.
If you're looking for a top-notch cot, try the SNOO Smart Sleeper. The cot will listen to your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, simulating the sounds of the womb. This technology will help your baby get a great night's rest. It can be placed in any cot or crib. It is ideal for babies who suffer from breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It can also track their sleep patterns to help you better know your child's behavior.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another fantastic alternative. This cot that is minimalistic, made of solid beech, has a removable panel that transforms it into a bed for toddlers. It also comes with an impressive range of mattress base positions, meaning you can customize the height of your child's sleeping space as they grow. It's a great option for bedrooms with small spaces or with sloped ceilings. Our panel was also easy to assemble.
The Elementary cot, part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It's available in a range of finishes, from white to dark slate grey and is suitable for use from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress settings that will allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a Toddler Bed by taking off the side panels 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, however, they must be secure too. Find an cot that has been certified to meet the British safety standards and bears the code BS EN 716. It must have a flat, firm mattress, and should not be filled with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended.
If you are purchasing a second-hand cot, make sure to determine the age of the cot. Lead paint can be poisonous for infants. Check for signs that the cot has been used, particularly along the sides, where a child might rub their hands. This could cause skin irritation. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that could be removed, posing an choking risk for your baby.
Some cots come with extra features, such as storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mum testers was extremely pleased with this John Lewis model for being stylish and functional. "It's very easy to put together, and has all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, adding that it is also one of the easiest cots on the market to convert into the toddler bed. The cot comes with an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three heights that can be adjusted which means you can make it suitable for your growing child.
Another thing to consider is the depth of the cot. Look for a cot that is at a minimum 50cm deep in order to stop your child from climbing out when they begin to increase their mobility. It is also worth thinking about the kind of mattress you'll need, as there are many choices out available from foam, spring interiors or natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. You may also want to consider purchasing a cot cover to protect your mattress from stains and spills when you are planning to purchase a brand new cot. It's worth hiring an expert to assess the safety of a used cot and fix any damage. It's usually around PS100 but it's worth it for peace of mind.
Style
It can be easy to get bogged down in the details of safety and specifications when shopping for a baby but remember to think about the design. A cot is going to be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that is suitable for your baby's room and your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds come in different colourways and designs that look great with the furniture or interiors that you've selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib could be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel, while teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. The cot is easy to put together, even though it is delivered flat, with easy instructions and clearly labeled parts.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish, functional cot. It combines the style of Scandi with the practicality of being able grow with' your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child is five years old, when it can be transformed into a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Our test subjects were awed by its high-quality construction and smooth oval-shaped finish but it may be a bit costly for some.
If you choose an item 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 choose a model with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke, and you should also check that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and effectively, and can't be easily lowered by your child.
If you are buying a cot that can be converted into a mattress, be sure it complies with UK safety standards. They are typically BS EN 716 and BS 8509 that have an anti-bite strip that is placed on the bar's top. This information is typically included in the description of the product for the cot or bed, but you may also check the website of the seller.
Convertibility
Certain models are designed to last for a long time. The most well-known converts into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas, allowing you to use them beyond the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive because they have to support the weight of an adult for a longer time, however, they can offer excellent value for money if you intend to use them until your baby has grown.
It is essential to ensure that the cot you choose meets UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product's page to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that is fully slatted and has no gaps in any of the sides. If it is not then you'll have to purchase a separate bed mattress.
Some cots come with extra features, such as a drawer for storage or rails for teething. They can save space and simplify the lives of parents. Some cots are simple put together, which is ideal if you're short on time or are worried about putting them together by yourself. The John Lewis cot bed, for instance, was rated by one our mom testers as being the most simple flatpack to put together' and is complete with clear instructions and photos.
Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which is a timeless design and comes with a variety of finishes to suit your nursery. It can be turned to a toddler bed by removing one side of the cot. It can then be transformed into a junior cot using the addition a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to fit your space, and one of our test parents stated that it lasted for three kids.
Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an open design that allows you to build it into various configurations. The mini model can be used from birth, but with the addition a side it can be transformed into the bed of a toddler. When your child reaches an older age, you can then upgrade to an adult bed. It's also a top option for aesthetics and style, thanks to our panel that loves natural finish and smooth oval shape.