Buying Small Cot Beds
When you are looking for a compact cot bed, it's easy to get caught up on the specs and safety features, but you should also consider the aesthetic too. A well-designed bed can make a small room appear larger and less cluttered.
This model is ideal for bedrooms with small spaces. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's the easiest flatpack assembly.
Space-saving
Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots, but still offer all the security and comfort features your baby deserves. 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 couch bed to use with older children.
To maximize your space, look for an item that is compatible with the furniture in your bedroom or one that you can easily take apart and reassemble if 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 bench seats into one piece of furniture.
Our list of cots for small children and cribs includes a variety of sizes, meaning there's something to fit in every space. A lot of the designs in our roundup include an adjustable bed, making it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.
It is essential to measure the space available in your nursery prior to buying a cot. The gap between the bars should not be more than 6.5cm. This is for safety purposes.
Silver Cross Nostalgia is a crib that accommodates a 120x60cm standard mattress and features stunning sleigh-style frames. It's built to last, with a sturdy construction and high-quality materials, and is easy to alter as your baby grows. It's however a more expensive option than some of the other cots we've reviewed and you'll need to purchase a mattress if you choose this model.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a small nursery, and it's our pick for the most affordable cot. It's stuffed with additional features like teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows. It's also incredibly simple to put together too. The mattress is included, however a second one will be required for the toddler conversion.
Comfort
As a parent, you want your child to enjoy an enjoyable, safe sleeping environment. One of the most beneficial things you can do to ensure a good night's sleep is to select a small cot bed that has a comfortable mattress. They are designed to be firmer than traditional cot mattresses but still soft enough that your baby will enjoy an enjoyable night's sleep.
The cushioning on these mattresses helps in preventing heat retention, which may cause discomfort for certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are also free of irritants and chemical to ensure they don't cause irritation to your baby's sensitive skin.
These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers, since they provide excellent support for the head, neck and body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling, which parents have found to be helpful in cases of colic and reflux.
It is important to measure the mattress size and ensure that it will fit in the base of the cot before purchasing a small cot. You can also find out whether there are any specific rules and regulations to adhere to when purchasing mattresses for cots, such as the minimum thickness.
If you're looking for an cot that can adapt to your child's needs take a look at this adaptable design from Vox. It's a cot that converts to an infant bed. This will save you the cost of buying a new bed for your child once they are ready.
Our panel of test participants enjoyed the cot's simple setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and unfolded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds into itself without any complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also compact and lightweight and can easily fit into a carry bag that's smaller than a camping chair's case and ideal for transporting to grandparents' homes.
This cot is extremely comfortable, despite being larger than other models from our tried and tested line-up. It's made to feel like an actual mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're in a bouncer. It's a sturdy, stable option for back and side sleepers. recommended cribs did note that stomach sleepers might have issues with it.
Safety
For your baby's safety, it's important to check that the cot bed is in compliance with the UK standards it claims to meet. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it transforms into an infant bed. Also, make sure it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough room for a safe sleep for your baby. It should be at least 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. If it's old, soft or damaged, it could create a risk of suffocation. Test the mattress to see if it springs back quickly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it should feel solid.
Keep the cot free of any toys, stickers, and anything else which could be a danger to choking. It's important that babies can move freely and turn over while they sleep. If your cot has a drop-side, check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secure.
Avoid placing the cot next to an open radiator or a window that is sunny. It is possible that they will become too warm or wake up with sunburn. You should also keep your cot away from cords for curtain rods that hang from the wall or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative accessories with long cords. Cords that are strangled by babies and older children might reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.
For Scandi style and a high-quality finish the cot is worth the cost over other cheaper options. It's a bit time-consuming to assemble, but the instructions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It's not cheap but it will last your child through their toddler years.
Design
When shopping for a small cot bed, you need 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 cot beds are suitable from birth until the time when a child can easily transition into the toddler or single bed. To ensure that the cot you buy will last, search for a model that has adjustable base heights. This feature lets you lower the mattress height to fit your baby's development, ensuring they are safe and comfy.
One of the most useful features of the design is the ability to remove cot bars in sections. This is an excellent way to give your little one a feeling of independence once they start playing, and can help them get in and out of their bed with ease. To make it even more flexible, some cot beds such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can also be converted into a comfortable sofa by taking the front off of the bed.
Many cots have slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby. This is a significant difference in comfort, and could make the difference to ensure that your baby has an adequate night's rest.
A small cot, or cot-bed, is a great investment for your baby's security and sleep habits. It can also be an ideal addition to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to choose from.
You'll also find that various accessories, such as baby bumpers and soft duvets with high-end bed linen are available for each crib to make it look more complete. This will allow you to create a a welcoming and cosy environment for your baby, ensuring they have the best sleep possible.