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 aesthetic too. A well-designed bed can help make the small space appear bigger and less overwhelmed.
This model is perfect for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's light and stroller-style. Continuing 's also the easiest flatpack to put together.
Space-saving
Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots however they still provide all the safety and comfort features your baby needs. They can be used until your toddler is ready to move on to an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models can be transformed into a stylish couch bed to use with older children.
Find a product that can be easily dismantled and reassembled in case you want to make room for other baby things. You might also want to think about a compact cot bed that has built-in storage or an all-purpose design that incorporates a chest of drawers, changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.
Our list of cots for small children and cribs has a range of sizes, so there's something to fit in every space. Many of the designs in our roundup come with a fitted bed, making it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.
Full File that you take measurements of the space in your nursery prior to buying a crib. The distance between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is to ensure safety.
Our real moms loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot that can accommodate an average 120 x 60cm mattress, and is fitted with a gorgeous frame in the sleigh style. It's built to last, with high-quality materials and a sturdy structure. It's also simple to adapt to your baby's growing requirements. It is more expensive than the other cots we've reviewed, and you'll have to buy a separate mattress.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best value cot, is another excellent option for a small nursery. It's packed full of extra features, including teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's super-easy to put together too. The mattress is included, however a second 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 things you can do to ensure they get an adequate night's sleep is to pick a smaller crib bed with a comfortable mattress. These mattresses are firmer than standard cot mattresses however they are soft enough to ensure your child gets a good night's rest.
The cushioning on these mattresses also helps to prevent heat retention, which can cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of chemicals and irritants to ensure they don't cause irritation to the baby's sensitive skin.
These mattresses are a great option for side and back sleepers as they provide excellent support for the head, neck and body. They can also be used with the cot's built in cradling feature, which parents have found to be helpful for colic and reflux.
When choosing a small cot bed with cushions it is important to determine the size of the mattress and if it will fit into the cot's base. Find out if the cot mattress is subject to any specific rules or regulations, for instance a minimum thickness.
This adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents who want a cot that grows with their child. It's a cot that converts to a toddler bed. This saves you the cost of buying an additional bed for your child once they are ready.
Our panel of testers loved this cot's easy setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out from the box and was unfolded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap into place and the cot folds into itself, with no complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also compact and lightweight and can easily fit into a bag slightly larger than a camp chair's case. It's ideal for taking it to grandparents' houses.
This cot is extremely comfy despite being bigger than the other models in our tried-and tested collection. It's designed to be 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 sturdy and stable choice for back and side sleepers though senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers may have issues with it.
Safety
It's vital to ensure that the cot bed you choose is safe for your child. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into an infant bed. Check that it is the correct size for your nursery and is big enough for your child to be safe. It should be at minimum 140cm x 70cm and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure the mattress is firm and lies flat in the cot. It could be an entrapment hazard if it is soft or old, or damaged. Check the mattress to see whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. A good quality cot mattress should feel firm and lie flat when you press it down on its centre.
Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers and other items that could pose a choking risk. It is essential that babies be able to move around freely and rotate during sleep. If your crib has a drop side be sure to check it regularly to ensure the mechanism locks securely.
Avoid placing a cot next to an open radiator or a window that is sunny. It could become too warm or wake up with sunburn. Keep the cot far away from wall mounted curtains as well as baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, and older children could climb up on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.
This cot is well worth the extra cost for those who want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. The instructions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It takes a while to put together. It's not expensive, but it will last until they reach the age of toddlers.
Design
It is important to consider that you're likely to invest in furniture that will last a long time when you shop for a small bed. Contrary to cribs that are designed for a brief period of time, cots are appropriate from the moment a baby is born until they can safely transition to the toddler bed or single bed. To ensure the cot you're buying will last, search for a design with adjustable base heights. This feature lets you lower the mattress height to fit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfy.
One of the most useful features of the design is the ability to take out cot bars in sections. This is an excellent way to give your child a sense of independence when they begin to walking around, and can aid them in getting into and out of their bed quickly. Some cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa simply by removing the front.
The slatted design of a lot of cots is a great option for small spaces, in addition, it assists air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a significant difference in the quality of sleep and will ensure that your baby enjoys an enjoyable sleep.
A small cot or bed is a great investment for your baby's sleep habits and safety, and can be an excellent accessory to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to pick from.
For each cot, there's an array of accessories like soft duvets and high-end bed linen. This allows you to create a welcoming and cosy environment for your baby, making sure they get the best rest possible.