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 wonderful addition to any nursery. A drawer and an anti-bite plastic strip on its top rails will help keep it neat and tidy.
If your baby is a grumpy sleeper, this crib could be the solution. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A good cot size is a compromise between giving your baby room to grow and not overcrowding the nursery with a huge bed. The standard UK cot size is 70cm x 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most infants until they reach three years of age. Certain cots might have curved edges or other features that can affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to double check your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.
There are cots available at a variety of high-street stores such as Dunelm or Ikea. Many also offer a returns policy, so you can return any cot that isn't what you want. It's also worth shopping online, as you can gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot and how it will appear in your nursery.
If you're in search of a top-quality crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. The cot will listen to your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to assist your baby in achieving an unwinding sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or with breathing problems and it can track their sleep cycles, which will aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your baby.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. This minimalist cot is constructed from solid beech and features the ability to remove the panel and transform it into a toddler bed. It has a range of mattresses, so you can alter the height of your child’s sleeping area to suit their needs. It's an excellent choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with ceilings that slope. Our panel also found it easy to put together.
The Elementary cot, which is part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a different budget-friendly option. It is available in a variety of finishes, ranging 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 settings that let you easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a Toddler Bed by removing the side panels and adding the footboard. The crib includes a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are a crucial part of the nursery of your baby's but they must be secure too. Look for a cot with the code BS EN 716 and that is certified to meet British safety standards. It should also have a firm flat mattress and should not be stuffed with duvets and bumpers which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're purchasing a used crib, be sure to verify the age of the cot. Lead paint can be toxic for babies. Check for signs that the cot has been used, particularly around the sides, where a child might rub their hands. This can cause irritation to the skin. Also, be sure to check for any transfer or stickers because they can come off and pose a choking hazard to your baby.
Some cots come with extra features, like teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum testers was particularly impressed by this model from John Lewis which is both stylish and practical. "It's very easy to put together, and has all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, adding that it's one of the easiest cots on the market to convert into the toddler bed. The cot has an organizer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three heights that are adjustable which means you can use it for your growing child.
The depth of the cot is an additional important factor to consider. You should choose the cot to have a minimum depth of 50cm to prevent your child from climbing onto the cot when they become more mobile. There are a myriad of options for mattresses for cots which include spring interiors, foam or natural materials if you suffer from allergies. If you're looking to purchase a new cot, then you may be interested in a mattress protector to protect against spills or stains. It's a good idea to hire an expert to assess the safety of an old cot and fix any damage. This will cost you about PS100, but it is well worth it to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
It can be easy to get bogged down in the details of safety and specifications when purchasing a baby's cot but don't forget about the design. It is essential to select the cot that is in keeping with the nursery of your baby and your decor. Numerous cots and bed are available in various colors and designs to complement the furniture and interiors of your nursery that you select for your baby's bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib can be. The drawer under the bed was a nice feature that helped it earn high marks from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights also make this cot bed functional and stylish. The cot is easy to assemble, even though it is flat-packed, and comes with simple instructions and labeled parts.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi style with the practicality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used from the time of birth as a cot or until your child turns five years old. old, when it can be transformed into a toddler bed with the removal of a side. Our testers were impressed by its quality construction and smooth oval finish, but it might be a bit expensive for some.
If you select an item with bars that are too close your baby may become trapped or choke. Also, you should ensure that the drop-side mechanism operates smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you choose a model with bars that are not properly separated, your child could get trapped or choke. Also, you should make sure that the drop-side mechanism is secure and doesn't allow your child to lower it.
It is also important to ensure that the cot you purchase is in compliance with UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and when it transforms into a bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the bars. Most cots and cot beds will have this information in the product description or on their website, but If you are concerned you should speak to the seller to confirm.
Convertibility
Some models are built to last for an extended period of time. Most popular cots can be converted into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you keep using it after the baby stage. They are more expensive because they are required to support the weight of a child for longer. However, they are a great investment if you are planning to use them for a long time after your baby has grown.
It is crucial to ensure that the cot you choose meets UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the page of the product to confirm. Also, make sure the base is slatted completely with no gaps on any sides. If it doesn't then you'll have to buy a separate bed mattress.
Some cots have extra features, such as a drawer for storage or teething rails. These can help save space and make life easier for parents. Some cots are simple put together, which is ideal in case you're running out of time or are concerned about putting them together yourself. One of our mum testers gave the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another option. It has a classic design and comes in a variety of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It has 3 adjustable mattress height positions and can be made an infant bed by removing the side, and later to a junior bed by the addition of an additional footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to suit your space. One of our test parents reported that it lasted for three kids.
Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It comes with an modular design that allows it to be adapted into various configurations. The mini model is suitable from birth and then converts into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and cots4Tots.Co.uk then it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready. It's also a top pick for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and smooth oval shape.