Buying Small Cot Beds
When you are looking for a compact cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but take into account the design too. A well-designed bed can help make a small room appear larger and less cluttered.
Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight this model is a great option for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's also the most simple flatpack to assemble.
Space-saving
Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots however, they still offer all the comfort and safety features your baby deserves. They can be used from birth or until your toddler is old enough to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models convert into a stylish sofa bed for use with older children, too.
To make the most of your space, consider a model that fits in with the furniture in your bedroom, or one that you can easily disassemble and reassemble if you want to accommodate other baby things. Consider a cot-bed that is compact with built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that includes a changing unit, chest of drawers and bench seat in one piece of furniture.
Our selection of small cots and cribs has a range of sizes, meaning there's something for every space. A majority of the designs that we have listed come with an adjustable mattress, which helps keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.
It's important that you measure the space available in your nursery before purchasing a crib. The distance between the bars should not be more than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.
Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot that takes a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and comes with a beautiful sleigh style frame. It's built to last, with a sturdy construction and high-quality materials, and is easy to alter to your baby's needs as they grow. It is more expensive than other cots in our list and you will need to buy a separate mattress.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a compact nursery, and it's our pick of the most affordable cots. It's loaded with additional features like teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows. It's also incredibly simple to put together. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be needed to accommodate the toddler transition.
Comfort
As a parent, you want your child to enjoy an enjoyable, safe sleep environment. One of the best ways to help them get a good night's sleep is to pick a smaller cot bed that has a comfortable mattress. These mattresses are firmer than standard cot mattresses but are soft enough to ensure that your child has a comfortable night sleep.
The cushioning of these mattresses can also help to reduce heat retention, which can cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used in the mattress are also free of chemicals and irritants to ensure that they don't irritate your baby's sensitive skin.
These mattresses are a good alternative for back and side sleepers, since they provide adequate support for neck, head and body. These mattresses can be utilized together with the built-in cradle that comes with a cot, which is beneficial for reflux or colic.
If you are considering a mattress cot bed that has a cushioned mattress it is important to determine the size of the mattress and whether it will fit inside the base of the cot. You should also determine whether there are any specific rules and regulations you need to adhere to when buying a cot mattress including the minimum thickness.
If you're in search of a cot bed that can expand with your child, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It starts out as a cot but can later be transformed into a toddler bed, saving you from the expense of buying an entirely new bed once your baby is ready to use it.
The user-friendly setup of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace said that it "came from the box and unfolded just like a camping chair". The middle joints snap in place, and the cot folds on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also lightweight and compact, fitting neatly into a bag smaller than a camping chair's case. It's ideal for taking it to the grandparents' homes.
Despite being heavier than other models in our tried-and-tested line-up, this cot feels incredibly comfortable. It's designed to feel as an actual mattress and has plenty of padding and a springy base that can absorb the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're in a bouncer. It's also a solid stable and safe option for side and back sleepers, but the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby, it's important to check that the cot bed is in compliance with the UK standards it claims to comply with. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it transforms into a toddler bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and has enough space to provide a safe sleep for your little one. It should be 140cm x 70cm and should not have gaps around the corners or edges.
Make sure the mattress is firm and laid flat in the cot. If it's old, soft or damaged, this can create a risk of suffocation. Examine the mattress to determine whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress it should feel solid.
Keep the cot free of toys, smudges and anything else that could cause choking. Babies must be able to move easily and roll over throughout their sleep, which is why it's essential that the cot does not have raised corner posts or cut-outs that could be used as footholds to climb out. If your cot has a drop side check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is locked securely.
Do not place cots to tots to a radiator or a window that is sunny. They could get too warm or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains as well as 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.
For Scandi style and a high-quality finish the cot is worth the cost over other cheaper options. The instructions are easy to follow and the wood is solid. nursery cots takes some time to assemble. It's not cheap however it will last your child right into their toddler years and will look great in any nursery.
Design
When looking for a compact cot bed, you need to remember that you're likely purchasing a long-term piece of furniture. Unlike cribs which are used only for a short period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until the time when a child can safely transition to the toddler or single bed. To ensure that the cot you purchase will last, look out for a model with adjustable heights for the base. This feature lets you lower the mattress's height as your child grows, ensuring they stay secure and comfortable for a longer time.
One of the most useful features of the design is the ability to take out the cot bars into sections. This will provide your child with a sense of independence when they start to toddle and will make it easier for them to get into and out of the bed. For more flexibility Some cot beds such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a cosy sofa simply by taking the front off of the bed.
The slatted style of many cribs is a good option for a small space too, as it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a significant difference in terms of comfort and help ensure that your baby has an enjoyable sleep.
A small cot or cot bed is a great investment for your baby's sleeping habits and safety, and can be an excellent accessory to any nursery. With so many options to pick from, it's worth taking the time to look through the entire selection of cots and cot beds on offer at Cuckooland to find one that suits you.
For each cot, you'll find a variety of accessories like soft duvets and high-end bed linen. This will allow you to create a an inviting and comfortable environment for your baby, making sure they have the best sleep possible.