How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. The warm oak finish makes it a wonderful accessory to any nursery. tots and cots is also kept tidy by having a drawer and an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails.
If your baby is a troublesome sleeper, this crib could be the solution. It responds to their cry with soft sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A good cot is the ideal size to provide your baby with space to grow without weighing down the nursery. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm x 140cm. This should be adequate to fit most babies until they are around three years old. However, some cots feature curved corners or other features that can result in issues with the fitting of a mattress, so it is worth double checking the footprint of your cot prior to making a buy.
There are many shops on the high streets where you can check out an array of cots. Some include Dunelm and Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, which means you can return any cot that does not meet your needs. You can also get a feel for the size of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping online.
If you are looking for a high-quality cot, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great choice. The cot will listen to your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, emulating 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 is ideal for babies who suffer from breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It also tracks their sleep patterns to help you better know your child's behavior.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. This minimalistic cot, made of solid beech, comes with an easily removed panel that can be transformed into a toddler's bed. It also comes with an impressive range of mattress base positions, meaning you can customize the size of your child's sleeping space as they grow. It's a great choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with ceilings that slope. Our panel also found it easy to assemble.
The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It's available in a range of finishes, from white to dark slate grey and is suitable for use from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress height settings that will allow you reach your child easily, and can be converted into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and putting in a footboard. The crib comes with a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an important part of the nursery of your baby's but they have to be safe too. Look for a cot with the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified to meet British safety standards. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and not be filled with duvets or bumpers that aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If buying a secondhand cot, be sure that it's not too old as paint could contain lead which is toxic to babies. Examine for indications of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where a child might rub their hands, because this can cause irritation to the skin. Check for any stickers and transfers that could peel off, posing a choking risk to your baby.
Some cots have extra features like teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mom test subjects praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's very easy to put together, and has all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, adding that it is also one of the easiest cots to transform into the toddler bed. The cot has a drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also comes with three heights that can be adjusted which means you can make it suitable for your growing baby.
Another factor to consider is the depth of the cot. Choose a cot which is at least 50cm in depth in order to stop your child from escaping when they start to become more mobile. It is also important to consider the type of cot mattress you'll need, as there are a variety of options out available from foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. If you're looking to purchase an entirely new cot, you may be interested in a mattress protector to guard against spills or stains. It's a good idea to hire an expert to examine the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost around PS100 but it's worth it to have peace of mind.
Style
When you're shopping for a baby it's easy to become engrossed in the safety and specifications. But don't forget the style. It's important to choose the cot that is in keeping with your baby's nursery and your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cots are available in different colourways and designs that look great with any nursery furniture or interiors you have chosen for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a wonderful illustration of how stylish a cot could be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a practical feature which has helped it get top marks with our panel. Likewise, teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as useful as it is fashionable. Our testers also loved that the cot was easy to build and was delivered in a flatpack, complete with labelled parts and simple instructions.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a fashionable and functional cot. It combines Scandi style with the functionality of being able to 'grow with' your child. It can be used from the time of birth as a cot or until your child is five years old. of age, at which point it could be transformed to a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Its sleek oval design and high-quality construction impressed our testers however the cost may be a hindrance for some.
If you select a model with bars that are too close together, your baby could become trapped or choke. It is also important to make sure the drop-side mechanism operates smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you select a model with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke. Additionally, you must also ensure that the drop-side mechanism operates well and efficiently, and can't be easily lowered by your child.
If you're purchasing a cot that can be converted into a mattress, ensure that it is compliant with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which have an anti-bite strip at the bar's top. Most cots and cot beds will have this information in the description of the product or on their website, however If you are concerned it's a good idea to speak with the seller to confirm.
Convertibility
Certain models are designed to last for an extended period of time. Most popular cots can be transformed into sofas or toddler beds. This allows you to continue using it long after the infant stage. These are more expensive due to the fact that they must support the weight of the larger child for a longer time, but they can provide excellent value for your money if you are planning to keep using them after your child is older.
It is essential to ensure that the cot you pick meets UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product page to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that's fully slatted and does not have gaps on all sides. If it doesn't then you'll need to purchase a new mattress for your bed.
Some cots come with additional features like a drawer for storage or teething rails. These can save space and make life easier for parents. Others are simple to assemble which is ideal when you're short on time or worried about putting it together yourself. One of our mum test subjects rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a timeless look and comes in a range of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It can be converted into a toddler bed, by taking one side off the cot. Then, it can be transformed into a junior cot with the addition a footboard. It is available in different sizes that will suit your room. One of our testers said hers lasted through three children.
Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It is a modular design which allows it to be adapted into various configurations. The mini model is suitable from birth, and then transforms into a toddler bed by the addition of a side, and it can be converted into a junior bed when your child is ready. It's also a top option for aesthetics with our panel-loving natural finish and smooth oval shape.
