How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
With its sleek minimalist design and warm oak finish this cot from Silver Cross looks stylish in any nursery. A drawer and a handy anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails will help keep it tidy too.
top rated cots could be the answer for your fussy baby. It responds to their cries by making soft sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A cot that is of high quality is the ideal size to allow your baby enough room to grow without overtaking the nursery. The standard UK size of a cot is 70cm by 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most babies until they reach around three years of age. However, some cots come with curving corners or other features that could cause issues with the fit of a mattress. Therefore, it is important to check the footprint of your cot prior to making a buy.
There are plenty of retailers on the high street that offer the wide selection of cots. Some include Dunelm and Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, so you can return a cot if it isn't what you want. You can also get a better feel about the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping on the internet.
If you're looking for a top-notch crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot will monitor your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology will help your baby get a good night's sleep. It can be used in any crib or cot. It is ideal for babies who have breathing problems or fussy newborns. It also monitors their sleep cycles to help you understand your child's habits.
Another great alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot is made out of solid beech, and comes with a a removable panel to transform into a toddler bed. It comes with a variety of mattresses, so you can alter the height of your child's sleeping space to meet their requirements. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings and our panel found it easy to put together.
Another cot that is budget-friendly is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a range of finishes from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth until the time your child is four. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a toddler bed by taking the side panels off and adding the footboard. The crib has a mattress, and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cots are vital for your baby's nursery however, they must be safe. Look for a cot that is certified to meet British safety standards and bears the code BS EN 716. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and not be stuffed with duvets and bumpers, which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're purchasing a used cot, be sure to check the age of it. Lead paint can be harmful to babies. Be sure to look for signs that the cot has been used, especially along the sides, where children may rub their hands. This can cause skin irritation. Also, it's worth checking for any stickers or transfers as these can peel off and create an choking risk to your baby.
Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails, storage drawers, and storage drawers. One of our mom testers was particularly impressed by this model from John Lewis which is both fashionable and practical. "It's very easy to put together, with all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, noting that it's one of the easiest cots available to transform into a toddler bed. The cot comes with an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three heights that can be adjusted, so you can make it suitable for your growing baby.
The depth of the cot is another important consideration. You should look for a cot that is at a minimum 50cm deep to prevent your child from climbing out when they start to increase their mobility. There are a variety of options for cot mattresses which include foam, spring interiors, or natural materials if you suffer from allergies. If you're considering buying an entirely new cot, you may want to consider a cot mattress protector to safeguard against spills or stains. If you're purchasing a secondhand cot, you'll want to consult an expert to check its safety and repair any damage. It's usually around PS100 but it's worth the investment to have peace of mind.
Style
It's easy to get bogged down on safety and spec when purchasing a baby's cot, but don't forget about the style. A cot will be in use for a long time so it's important to find one that matches your baby's room as well as your decor. There are plenty of cots and cot beds come in a variety of colors and designs that are perfect for any nursery furniture or interiors you've chosen for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great example of how stylish a cot can be. The storage drawer in the under-bed was a nice feature that helped it earn high scores from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this bed functional and fashionable. The cot is easy to put together, even though it is delivered flat, with simple instructions and labeled parts.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines the design of Scandi with the function of a cot that is able to 'grow' with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child turns five years old. old, when it can be transformed into a toddler bed by the removal of the side. Its sleek oval design and quality construction impressed our test subjects however the cost could be a concern for some.
If you select an item with bars that are too close your child could be trapped or choke. It is also important to make sure the drop-side mechanism works well and efficiently, and can't be easily lifted by your child. If you select a model with bars that are too close together the baby could get trapped or choke. you should also check that the mechanism for dropping works smoothly and effectively and isn't easily lifted by your child.
If you're buying a cot that can be converted into a mattress, be sure it complies with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which include an anti-bite strip that is placed on the bar's top. The majority of cots and cots will have this information in the product description or on their website, however should you have any questions it's a good idea to speak with the seller to ensure.
Convertibility
It is possible that your cot to last for a long time, and certain models are designed to do just that. The most popular models convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas, allowing you to use it beyond the infant stage. These are more expensive as they need to hold the weight of the larger child for a longer time, however, they can offer excellent value for your money if you are planning to continue using them once your baby is older.
It's important to make sure that the cot you choose is in compliance with UK safety standards. Check the BS EN code on the product's website to confirm. Also, make sure the base is slatted completely with no gaps on all sides. If it does not then you'll need to purchase a separate mattress for your bed.
Some cots come with extra features such as storage drawers and teething rails that can help you reduce space and make your parenting life simpler. Some cots are simple put together, which is ideal if you're short on time or you're worried about putting them together yourself. One of our mum test subjects has rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and photos.
The Boori cot is a different option. It has a classic design and comes in a variety of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It can be converted to a toddler bed by taking one side off the cot. It can then be converted into a junior cot with the addition a footboard. It is available in different sizes that can be adapted to your room. One of our test subjects said hers lasted through three children.
Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It is an modular design that allows it to be expanded into different configurations. The mini model is suitable from birth, and then transforms into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and then to a junior bed when your child is ready. Our panel chose it for its aesthetics. They were enthralled by the natural finish and oval shape.