Buying Small Cot Beds

When looking for a small cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but take into account the aesthetic too. A well-designed cot can make a room feel bigger and less clutter-filled.

This model is ideal for bedrooms with small spaces. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's the most simple flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots but they still have all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used from birth, or until your toddler is able to transition to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be turned into a stylish couch bed for older kids.

Look for a model which can be easily dismantled and reassembled when you need to make room for other baby items. You might also want to consider a compact cot bed that has built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines a chest of drawers as well as a changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

Our selection of small cots to tots and cribs features a range of sizes, so there is something to suit every space. Many of the designs that we have listed come with an adjustable mattress that makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

It's important that you measure the space available in your nursery prior to purchasing a crib. The gap between the bars should be no greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot which can accommodate a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and has stunning sleigh-style frames. It's built to last with quality materials and a sturdy structure. It's also easy to adjust to your baby's changing needs. However, it's 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 another fantastic option for a smaller nursery and it's our pick of the most value-for-money cots. 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 to accommodate the toddler transition.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep comfortably. They are designed to be firmer than a traditional cot mattress but still soft enough to ensure that your child will have an enjoyable night's sleep.

The mattresses are cushioned to help prevent the retention of heat, which can cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of allergens and chemicals, as well as other substances that could cause irritation to the skin of your baby's.

These mattresses are a great option for side and back sleepers as they provide excellent support for the neck, head and body. These mattresses can be utilized together with the built-in cradle in a cot, which is useful for those suffering from reflux or colic.

If you are considering a cot bed with cushions it is essential to verify the dimensions of the mattress and whether it will fit into the base of the cot. Find out if the cot mattress has any particular rules or regulations, such as the minimum thickness.

If you're looking for a cot bed that can adapt to your child's needs, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It is a cot that can be converted into a toddler bed. This saves you the cost of buying an additional bed for your child when they are ready.

Our test panel enjoyed the cot's simple setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out from the box and was unfolded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds into itself, with no complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also compact and lightweight, fitting neatly into a bag that's slightly larger than a camp chair's case, and is ideal for taking it to the grandparents' homes.

Despite being larger than other models in our tried-and tested range, this cot is extremely comfortable. It is designed to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding, and a springy bottom that absorbs the weight, without making your child feel like they are in the bouncer. It's also a solid stable and safe option for side and back sleepers, however the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.

Safety

For your baby's safety, it's essential to verify that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to comply with. You should look for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into an infant bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough space for a secure sleeping environment for your child. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is firm and sits flat inside the cot. If it's old, soft or damaged, it could pose a suffocation risk. Check the mattress to see whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. A good quality mattress for cots should feel firm and flat when you press down on the centre of it.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers and anything else that could cause choking. It's important that babies can be able to move around freely and rotate during sleep. If your cot has a drop-side, check it regularly to make sure the mechanism is secure.

Do not put a cot next to an open radiator or a window that is sunny. They could get too hot or awake with sunburn. Also, keep the cot clear of cords for curtains that are mounted on the wall or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative accessories with long cords. Babies can be strangled by these, and older children may pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the mini cot beds.

This cot is definitely worth the extra expense if you want an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. It's not the easiest to put together but the directions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not cheap, but it will last your child until they reach the age of toddlers.

Design

When looking for a compact cot bed, you need to remember that you're purchasing something that will last for years. In contrast to cribs that are used for a limited period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until the time when a child can easily transition into a toddler or kids single bed. To ensure that the cot you're buying will last, look out for a model that has adjustable heights for the base. This feature lets you lower the mattress's in height as your child grows, ensuring they stay in a safe and comfortable position for longer.

Another important feature to look out for is the capability to remove sections of the cot bars. This will provide your child with an impression of independence once they begin to play and will make it easier to help them get into and out of the bed. To make it even more flexible the cot beds such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot (Yogicentral blog entry) can also be converted into a cosy sofa simply by taking the front off of the bed.

The slatted design of many cots is a great option for a small space, also, since it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a huge difference in comfort, and could make all the difference in trying to ensure that your baby has a restful night's sleep.

A small cot, or bed for cots, is a fantastic investment in your baby's security and sleep habits. It's also an ideal addition to any nursery. With so many designs available to choose from, it's always worth the effort to look through the entire selection of cots and cot beds available at Cuckooland to find a style that suits you.

For each crib, you'll find a variety of accessories like soft duvets and premium bed linen. This makes it easy to put together a cosy and warm environment for your baby to enjoy the best cots uk sleep possible and ensures that they are enjoying every aspect of their new home.