How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it a great addition to any nursery. A drawer and a handy anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails will help keep it tidy too.
If your baby is a grumpy sleeper, this smart crib could be the solution. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A good cot size strikes a balance between providing your baby with space to grow, but not overcrowding the nursery with an enormous bed. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm by 140cm. This should be enough to fit most babies until they are around three years old. However, some cots have curved corners or other features which can create problems with the fit of a mattress, therefore it is important to double-check the dimensions of your cot before you buy.
There are many shops on the high streets where you can browse an array of cots, such as Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers offer the option of a return policy, so you can swap out the cot that doesn't meet your needs. You can also get a better feel of the dimensions of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping on the internet.
If you are looking for a cot that is of high-quality that is of high-end quality, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. The cot will listen to your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, simulating 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 cot or crib. It's perfect for babies who suffer from breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It can also track their sleep cycles to help you understand your child's habits.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. The cot is minimalist and constructed out of solid beech, and comes with a a removable panel to transform into a toddler bed. It also has an impressive variety of mattress positions, meaning you can customize the height of your child's sleeping space as they grow. It's an excellent choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with ceilings that slope. Our panel was also easy to put together.
Another cot that is budget-friendly is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It's available in a range of finishes, 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 height settings, that will allow you to reach your child easily and can be turned into a toddler bed by removing the sides and putting in the footboard. The cot comes with a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are a crucial element of the nursery for your baby, but they have to be safe too. Look for a cot that has been certified to comply with British safety standards and has the code BS EN 716. It should also have a solid flat mattress and not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're buying a second-hand cot, make sure it's not too old since paint could contain lead which is toxic to babies. Be sure to look for signs that the cot has been used, particularly on the sides, where a child may rub their hands. This could cause skin irritation. Also, be sure to check for any stickers or transfers because they can come off and create an choking risk to your child.
Some cots come with extra features, like storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mom testers praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. It's easy to put together and all the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also said it was also one of the most simple cribs to transform into a toddler bed. The cot has a drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also has three adjustable heights which means you can make it suitable for your growing child.
Another factor to consider is the depth of the cot. You should choose an cot that has at least 50cm in depth, as this will prevent your child from climbing the cot as they become mobile. There are many options for mattresses for cots which include foam, spring interiors, or natural materials for those who suffer from allergies. If you're looking to purchase a new cot you might also be interested in a mattress protector to safeguard against spills or stains. It's a good idea to hire a professional to inspect the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. This service will cost you around PS100 however it's worth it for peace of mind.
Style
It's easy to get caught up in the details of safety and specifications when buying for a baby, but don't forget about the design. It's important to choose a cot that matches your baby's nursery as well as your decor. Numerous cots and beds are available in a variety of colors and designs to match any nursery furniture and interiors that you select for your baby's bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib could be. The drawer under the bed was an added feature that earned it high marks from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed functional and stylish. Our testers also liked that the cot was simple to construct and was delivered in a flatpack, with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish, functional cot. It combines the style of Scandi with the practicality 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 of age, at which point it could be transformed into a toddler bed with the removal of a side. Its smooth oval finish and high-quality construction impressed our test subjects however the cost may be a hindrance for some.
A cot is a safe place for your baby to rest throughout the day and at night It is important that you follow the manufacturer's guidelines carefully and follow them carefully to ensure your baby stays snug and secure. If you choose a model that has bars that are too closely spaced, your baby may get trapped or choke. Also, you should be sure that the mechanism for dropping is secure and doesn't let your child lower it.
You should also ensure that the cot you purchase is compliant with UK safety standards, typically BS EN 716, and when it transforms into a bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip on the top of the bars. This information is typically included in the description of the product for the cot or bed, however, you can also look it up on the website of the seller.
Convertibility
You might want your cot to last a long time, and some models are made to do that. The most popular models convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas that allow you to use them beyond the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive as they need to hold the weight of a larger child for a longer period of time, however, they can offer excellent value for money if you intend to use them until your child is older.
cot sale is essential to ensure that the cot you pick meets UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that is fully slatted and has no gaps in all of the sides. If it doesn't then you'll have to purchase a separate bed mattress.
Some cots come with extra features such as a storage drawer and teething rails, which can help to save space and make your parenting experience easier. Others are easy to assemble which is ideal if you are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it all together yourself. One of our mum test subjects gave the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and photos.
Another option is the beautiful Boori cot, which is an elegant design and comes in an array of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be turned into a toddler bed, by removing one of the sides of the cot. Then it can be converted into a junior cot with the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to fit your space. One of our test parents said hers lasted through three children.
Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an modular design that permits you to transform it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for babies and can be converted into a toddler bed with the addition of a side and it can be converted it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready for it. Our panel chose it due to its design. They loved the natural finish and oval shape.