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. A drawer as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails keep it neat too.
If your baby is a fussy sleeper, this crib might be the solution. It is able to respond with soft sounds that sound like the sound of a womb.
Size
A cot that is the right size is a compromise between giving your baby room to grow, but not overcrowding the nursery by a huge bed. The standard UK size of a cot is 70cm by 140cm. This should be enough to fit most babies until they are around three years of age. Some cots may have curved edges or other features that could affect the fit of a mattress. best crib is therefore important to double check your cot's footprint prior buying.
You can find cots at a wide range of retailers such as Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers have an exchange policy so that you can return the cot that doesn't meet your requirements. You can also get a better feel for the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping online.
If you are looking for a high-quality cot one of the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great option. This cot monitors the baby's crying and responds by gently rocking the baby to sleep, imitating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to assist your baby in achieving a restful sleep, and it can be used with any cot or crib. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or with breathing problems and can also track their sleep cycles, which will aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your little one.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another excellent alternative. This minimalistic cot, made of solid beech, has an easily removed panel that can transform it into a toddler's bed. It has a range of mattress bases, so you can alter the height of your child’s sleeping area to suit their needs. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to put together.
The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. best cot bed comes in a variety of colors from white to dark slate gray and is suitable from birth until the time your child reaches the age of four. It has three mattress height settings, which will help you to easily reach your baby and can be turned into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and putting in an additional footboard. The cot is FSC certified and comes with a mattress included.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an important element of the nursery for your baby, but they have to be secure too. Look for a cot 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 which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're buying a used cot, be sure to determine the date of purchase. Lead paint can be harmful to babies. Examine for indications of wear and tear, especially on the sides where a child may rub their hands as this may cause irritation to the skin. Also, it's worth checking for any transfers or stickers as these can peel off and present a choking hazard to your baby.
Some cots are equipped with additional features, such as storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mum test subjects particularly liked this model from John Lewis which is both fashionable and practical. It's easy to assemble and all pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also said it was also one of the most simple cribs that can be converted into a toddler-sized bed. The cot comes with an organizer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also comes with three adjustable heights which means you can make it suitable for your growing baby.
The depth of the cot is an additional important aspect to consider. It is recommended to choose the cot to have a minimum depth of 50cm because this will stop your child from climbing up the cot as they become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the type of cot mattress you'll require, as there are many choices out available from foam and spring interiors to natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. If you're planning to buy a new cot, then you might be interested in a mattress protector to safeguard against stains or spills. If you're purchasing a secondhand cot, you'll want to consult an expert to evaluate the safety of the cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost about PS100 but it's worth it for peace of mind.
Style
When buying for a child it's easy to become engrossed in safety and specs. However, don't forget about style. A cot will be in use for a long period of time, so it is essential to choose one that matches the room of your baby and your decor. There are plenty of cots and cots are available in a variety of styles and colours that are perfect for any furniture or interiors that you've chosen for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a fantastic illustration of how stylish a cot can be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel. Likewise, teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. Our test participants also appreciated that the cot was simple to build, even though it comes in a flatpack, complete with labelled parts and simple instructions.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines the design of Scandi with the function of a cot which can 'grow' with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child is five years old. older, at which point it can be transformed into a toddler bed with the removal of the side. Its smooth oval finish and high-quality construction impressed our testers however, the price could be a concern for some.
A crib is a safe space for your baby to sleep both at night and during the day It is important to go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them closely to ensure your baby is safe and comfortable. If you select a cot with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke. Additionally, you must also ensure that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and isn't easily removed by your child.
You should also be sure that the cot you buy is compliant with UK safety standards, typically BS EN 716, and when it transforms into a bed, BS 8509, which includes an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the bars. This information is usually included 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 a long time. Most popular cots can be converted into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you continue using it long after the infant stage. These cost more because they must support an overweight child for a longer period of time. However they are an excellent investment if you are planning to keep them in use long after your baby is developed.
A cot is among the most crucial purchases you will make for your new arrival It is crucial to ensure that it complies with strict UK safety standards. Check the BS EN code on the product's page to confirm. Also, make sure the base is fully slatted with no gaps on all sides. If it doesn't then you'll need to purchase a separate mattress.
Some cots also come with extra features like storage drawers and teething rails that can help reduce space and make your life as a parent easier. Others are easy to assemble which is ideal for those who are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it together yourself. One of our mum testers gave the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a classic look and comes in a range of finishes that will fit your nursery. It has 3 adjustable mattress height positions and can be transformed into a toddler bed by removing the side, and then into a junior bed with the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to match your room, and one of our test parents reported that hers had lasted through three kids.
Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It comes with an modular design that allows it to be expanded into various configurations. The mini model is suitable for babies and can be converted into a toddler bed by the addition of a side, and then it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready. It's also a top choice for aesthetics and style, thanks to our panel that loves the natural finish and smooth oval shape.