Buying Small Cot Beds
When looking for a small cot bed It's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but take into account the aesthetics too. A well-designed cot can help make your room appear bigger and less clutter-filled.
Stroller-style, and quite light, this model is an excellent option for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's the easiest flatpack assembly.
Space-saving
Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots, however they still provide all the comfort and safety features your baby requires. They are suitable from birth, or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be turned into a stylish sofa bed for older children.
Look for a model which can be easily dismantled and rebuilt in the event that you need to make room for other baby things. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines the changing unit as well as a chest of drawers and benches into one piece of furniture.
Our list of cots for small children and cribs features a range of sizes, so there is something for every space. A majority of the designs on our list have an adjustable mattress that helps keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.
It is essential to determine the size of your nursery before purchasing a cot. It is also important to consider the gap between the bars, as it should not be greater than 6.5cm to ensure safety.
Our real moms loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which can fit an average 120 x 60cm mattress, and comes with a beautiful frame that resembles a sleigh. It's built to last with a sturdy construction and high-quality materials, and is simple to adjust as your child grows. It is more expensive than other cots we've reviewed, and you'll need to purchase a separate mattress.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a small nursery, and is our choice of the most value-for-money cot. It's packed full of extra features including teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together. The mattress is included, but a second one will be needed to accommodate the toddler transition.
Comfort
Choose a small cot with a comfortable mattress. This will help your baby sleep comfortably. These are designed to be firmer than traditional cot mattresses but are still soft enough so that your child will have an enjoyable night's sleep.
These mattresses are cushioned to help prevent the retention of heat, which can cause discomfort in some babies. The materials used to make the mattress are also free of chemicals and irritants to ensure that they don't irritate the cheap baby cots's sensitive skin.
These mattresses are a good option for back and side sleepers, since they provide good cribs support for the neck, head and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built-in cradling system, which parents have found to be beneficial 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 prior purchasing a small cot. Find out if the cot mattress has any particular rules or regulations, like a minimum thickness.
If you're looking for an cot that can adapt to your child's needs, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It starts out as an cot, but it can be converted into a toddler bed, saving you from the expense of buying a new bed when your baby is ready to use it.
Our panel of testers was impressed by the simple setup of this cot, with mum tester Grace noting that it “came out of the box and unfolded like a camping chair”. The middle joints snap in place and the cot collapses on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also small and lightweight, fitting into the carry case, which is slightly larger than the case of the camp chair. This makes it perfect for transporting the cot to grandparents' homes.
Despite being heavier than other models in our tried-and-tested range, this cot is incredibly comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding, and a springy bottom that absorbs the weight, without making your child feel like they're in the bouncer. It's also a solid and stable choice for back and side sleepers, though the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby, it is essential to ensure whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to meet. Look for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you're looking to transform it into a toddler's bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the correct size for your nursery and offers enough room for a safe sleep for your baby. It should be at least 140cm by 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. If it's soft, old or damaged, it could pose a suffocation risk. Test the mattress to see whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress it should feel solid.
Make sure the cot is free of any toys, stickers and anything else that could pose a choke risk. Babies should be able move around easily and roll in their sleep, so it's essential that the cot doesn't have raised corners or cut-outs could be used as footholds to climb out. If your cot has a drop side check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.
Do not place your cot near an open radiator or a window that is sunny. It is possible that they will become too hot or wake up with sunburn. Keep the cot far away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains and baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. The cords could strangle infants, and older children could reach out to grab bars from the cot or even pull themselves up.
This cot is definitely worth the extra expense if you want the Scandi style and a top quality finish. The instructions are easy to follow and the wood feels solid. It takes some time to assemble. It's not cheap cot beds, but it will last your child through their toddler years.
Design
When looking for a compact cot bed, it's important to remember that you're purchasing an item that will last for a long time. Unlike cribs which are used only for a short period of time, cots and beds are suitable from birth until the time a child is old enough to easily transition into a toddler or a single bed. To ensure that the crib you purchase will last, look for a design with adjustable base heights. This feature allows you lower the mattress height to fit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfortable.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7098/1563/uuoeebb-4-in-1-bedside-crib-bassinet-baby-crib-with-changing-table-baby-bassinet-with-wheels-travel-cot-with-mattress-included-five-level-height-adjustable-baby-cribs-for-newborn-black-1563.jpg)Another design element to look out for is the capability to take off sections of the cot bars. This is a great way to give your baby a sense of independence once they begin playing, and can assist them in and out of their bed easily. Some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa by removing the front.
The slatted style of many cots is a great option for small spaces, in addition, it assists to circulate air and regulate your baby's temperature. This makes a large difference in comfort and can make the difference to ensure that your baby has a restful night's sleep.
A compact cot, also known as a the infant cot bed-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby’s safety and sleeping habits. It's also an ideal addition to any nursery. Cuckooland offers a variety of beds and cots to pick from.
For each crib, you'll find a variety of accessories like soft duvets, plus premium bedding. This lets you create a an inviting and cozy environment for your child, ensuring they are getting the best quality sleep possible.