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 as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top rails will help keep it neat too.
This crib with smart technology could be the solution for your fussy baby. It is able to respond with soothing sounds that mimic the baby's womb.
Size
A good cot is the ideal size to give your baby enough room to grow without overtaking the nursery. The standard UK size of a cot is 70cm by 140cm. This should be adequate to accommodate most babies until they reach around three years old. Some cots could have curved edges or other features that can alter the size of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to check the cot's footprint prior to purchasing.
There are a lot of retailers on the high street that offer the wide selection of cots, including Dunelm and Ikea. Some also have a return policy, which means you can return any cot that doesn't meet your requirements. It's also worth shopping online, since you can gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot and how it will look in your nursery.
If you're looking for a top-notch crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot can monitor your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, simulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve a restful sleep, and it can be used with any cot or crib. It's ideal for babies with breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It also monitors their sleep patterns to help you understand your child's habits.
Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. Baby Cot , made of solid beech, has an adjustable panel that can be transformed into a bed for toddlers. It also comes with an impressive range of mattress base positions, meaning you can customize the size of your child's sleeping area as they expand. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to put together.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It's available in a variety of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey and is suitable for use from birth until your child is four years old. It comes with three mattress heights, which will help you to reach your child easily, and can be converted into an infant bed by removing the sides and adding the footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and comes with a mattress included.
Safety
Cots and cots are vital for your baby's nursery however, they must be safe. Look for an cot that has been certified to comply with British safety standards and carries 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 buying a secondhand cot, ensure it's not too old since paint can contain lead that is toxic to babies. Check for signs of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where a child might rub their hands, since this could cause skin irritation. Also, it's worth checking for any transfers or stickers because they can come off and pose the risk of choking your child.
Some cots come with additional features like teething rails or storage drawers. One of our mom testers praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's really easy to put together, and has all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, adding that it is also one of the easiest cots on the market to transform into the toddler bed. The cot also comes with an optional drawer that helps you keep the nursery clean and also has three adjustable heights that allow you to use it as your child grows.
The depth of the cot is a further important factor to consider. You should choose a cot with a minimum depth of 50cm because this will stop your child from climbing the cot when they become more mobile. There are a myriad of options for cot mattresses that include spring interiors, foam or natural materials for those who suffer from allergies. It is also advisable to think about purchasing a cot protector to shield the mattress from spills and stains if you plan to purchase a new cot. It's a good idea to hire an expert to assess the safety of your used cot and fix any damage. It's usually about PS100 but it's well worth the investment to ensure your 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 is crucial to choose the cot that is in keeping with the nursery of your baby and your decor. There are plenty of cots and cots are available in different colourways and designs that look great with any furniture or interiors you've selected for your baby's initial bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a wonderful example of how stylish a cot can be. The drawer under the bed is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel, while teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. The cot is simple to put together, even though it is flat-packed, and comes with simple instructions and labeled parts.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish functional cot. It blends the Scandi style with the functionality of being able to 'grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child is five years old, when it can be converted into a toddler bed with the removal of a side. Its sleek oval design and high-quality construction impressed our test subjects, but the price tag might be a problem for some.
If you select a model with bars that are too close together your baby may become trapped or choke. Also, you should make sure the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily lowered by your child. If you choose a cot that has bars that are too tightly spaced, your baby may get trapped or choke. It is also important to make sure that the drop-side mechanism is secure and doesn't let your child lower it.
If you're purchasing a cot that can be converted into a mattress, ensure that it meets UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which include an anti-bite strip at the bar's top. The majority of cots and beds will include this information in the description of the product 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 some models are designed to do just that. The most popular convert into toddler beds and even sofas that allow you to use it well past the infant stage. These are more expensive because they have to support the weight of a larger child for a longer period of time, however they can be a great value for your money if you are planning to continue using them once your child is older.
A cot is among the most crucial purchases you will make for your new arrival and it is essential to ensure it meets strict UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and check that it has a base that's completely slatted, and that there are no gaps on all sides. If it does not then you'll have to purchase a separate mattress for your bed.
Some cots also come with extra features such as storage drawers and teething rails, which can help save space and make your parenting experience simpler. Others are easy to assemble, which is perfect if you are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it together. The John Lewis cot bed, for instance, was rated by one our mom testers as being the 'easiest flatpack to assemble and comes with clear instructions and pictures.
Another option is the gorgeous Boori cot, which is an elegant design and comes in an array of finishes to suit your nursery. It has 3 adjustable height positions for the mattress and can be made an infant bed by taking out the side, and then it can be converted to a junior bed with the addition of an additional footboard. It is available in a variety of sizes that will suit your room. One of our testers said that her bed was able to last through three children.
Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to transform it into different configurations. The mini model can be used from birth however, with the addition of an additional side, it can be transformed into the bed of a toddler. Once your child grows older, you can make the switch to a junior bed. Our panel also chose it due to its design. They were enthralled by the natural finish and oval shape.