How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK

Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek thanks to its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it an excellent addition to any nursery. A drawer as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails keep it neat and tidy.

If your child is a fussy sleeper, this smart crib might be the answer. It responds to their cries with soothing sounds that resemble the womb.

Size

A good cot size strikes a balance between giving your baby room to grow, but not overcrowding the nursery by a huge bed. The standard UK size of a cot is 70cm x 140cm. This should be enough to accommodate most infants until they reach around three years old. Some cots could have curved edges or other features that may affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to double check your cot's footprint prior to purchasing.

There are a lot of retailers on the high street where you can check out an array of cots. Some include Dunelm and Ikea. Some also have a return policy, which means you can return any cot that doesn't meet your requirements. You can also get a better feel of the dimensions of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping online.

If you are looking for a high-quality cot, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great option. This cot monitors your baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to aid your baby's journey to an unwinding sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's a great option for infants or babies with breathing problems and it can track their sleep cycles and help you understand the habits of your infant.

Stokke Sleepi Cot is another fantastic option. This minimalistic cot, made of solid beech, comes with an adjustable panel that transforms it into a toddler's bed. It comes with a variety of mattress bases, which means you can adjust the height of your child's sleeping area to suit their requirements. It's also a good option for smaller rooms or ceilings that slope Our panel found it simple to assemble.

The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a different budget-friendly option. It's available in a range of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey and can be used from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress settings that will allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a Toddler Bed by taking off the side panels and adding the footboard. The cot is FSC certified and includes a mattress.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an essential element of the nursery for your baby, but they must be safe as well. Find a cot that is certified to meet British safety standards and has the code BS EN 716. It should have a flat and firm mattress, and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers that aren't recommended.

If you're purchasing a used cot, be sure to check the date of purchase. Lead paint can be toxic for babies. Examine for signs of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where a child may rub their hands because this can cause irritation to the skin. Be great crib to look for any stickers or transfers that may be removed, posing a choking risk to your baby.

Certain cots are equipped with extra features such as teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mom testers praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's extremely simple to put together, with all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, adding that it's one of the easiest cots on the market to convert into the toddler bed. The cot comes with an organizer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three adjustable heights which means you can use it to accommodate your growing child.

The depth of the cot is an additional important aspect to consider. You should look for a cot with a minimum depth of 50cm, as this will prevent your child from climbing onto the cot as they become more mobile. There are a myriad of options for cot mattresses that include spring interiors, foam, or natural materials if you suffer from allergies. It is also advisable to consider buying a cot protector to shield the mattress from stains and spills in the event that you decide to purchase a new cot. It's a good idea to hire an expert to assess the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. The cost of this service is around PS100, but it is worthwhile for peace of mind.

Style

When shopping for a child it's easy to be engrossed in safety and specs. However, don't forget about the style. A cot is going to be used for a long time, so it is essential to choose one that matches your baby's room and your decor. Numerous cots and bed are available in a variety of colors and designs that can be matched to any nursery furniture and interiors you decide to put in your baby's bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great illustration of how stylish a cot can be. The drawer under the bed is a useful feature that helped it score high marks on our panel, and teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. Our testers also loved that the cot was simple to construct and was delivered in a flatpack with labelled parts and simple instructions.

Another alternative for a stylish cot is the 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. Our test subjects were awed by its sturdy design and smooth oval shape, but it might be a bit expensive for some.

If you choose an item with bars that are too close together your child could be trapped or choke. You should also ensure that the drop-side mechanism operates 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 must also ensure that the mechanism for dropping works well and efficiently, and can't be easily lifted by your child.

If you're buying an cot that converts to a mattress, ensure that it meets UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which have an anti-bite strip at the top of the bars. This information is usually included in the description of the product for the cot or bed, however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.

Convertibility


You may want your cot to last a long time, and some models are made to do that. The majority of popular cots can be transformed into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you keep using it after the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive as they need to hold the weight of a larger child for a longer time, but they can provide excellent value for the money if you plan to use them until your baby has grown.

It is crucial to ensure that the cot you select is in compliance with UK safety standards. Check the BS EN code on the page of the product to confirm. Also, make sure the base is completely slatted with no gaps at all sides. If it does not then you'll need to purchase a new bed mattress.

Some cots also come with additional features, such as teething rails that can help reduce space and make your parenting life simpler. Some are simple to put together, which is perfect when you're in a hurry or are worried about putting it together. The John Lewis cot bed, for example, was rated by one of our mom testers as the'most simple flatpack to assemble and comes with clear instructions and images.

cot sets is the stunning Boori cot, which comes with a timeless design and comes in an array of finishes to suit your nursery. It can be transformed to a toddler bed by taking one side off the cot. Then it can be transformed into a junior cot using the addition of a footboard. It is available in various sizes that can be adapted to your space. One of our testers said that her bed was able to last through three children.

Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to expand it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for use from birth and with the addition of an additional side, it can be converted into an infant's bed. Once your child reaches an older age, you can make the switch to a junior bed. It's also a top choice for aesthetics, with our panel loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.