Buying Small Cot Beds
It's easy to get caught up in the safety and features when you're looking for a compact bed. However, don't forget to consider the aesthetics. A well-designed cot will make the space appear larger and less cluttered.
Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight This model is a good choice for smaller bedrooms. It's the easiest flatpack assembly.
Space-saving
Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots however they still provide all the comfort and safety features your baby deserves. They can be used from birth, or until your toddler is old enough to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be converted into an elegant sofa bed for use with older children, too.
To help you maximize your space, look for an item that is compatible with the furniture in your bedroom or one that you can easily take apart and reassemble when you want to make room for other baby objects. It is also possible to consider a cot that is compact bed that has built-in storage or an all-purpose design that incorporates the drawers of a chest with a changing table and bench seat into a single piece of furniture.
Our selection of small cots and cribs has a range of sizes, so there is something to fit in every space. Many of the designs featured in our roundup come with a fitted bed, which makes it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.
When you are choosing a cot it is important to take measurements of the space in your nursery and verify the dimensions to make sure it's appropriate before making your purchase. The gap between the bars shouldn't be more than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.
Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot that can accommodate a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and features a beautiful sleigh style frame. It's built to last with a sturdy construction and high-quality materials, and is simple to adjust as your baby grows. It's however a more expensive option than some of the other cots we've reviewed and you'll need to purchase a mattress separately if you choose this model.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best value cot, is a ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It's loaded with additional features like teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together too. It comes with a mattress, but you'll need to buy an additional one for the toddler conversion.
Comfort
Choose a small cot with an easy mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep well. These mattresses are more rigid than standard cot mattresses, but soft enough to ensure that your child has a comfortable night sleep.
The cushioning of these mattresses also helps to prevent the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort for some babies. helpful resources used on the mattress are free of chemicals and irritants so that they won't disturb the baby's sensitive skin.
Typically, these mattresses are also a good choice for side and back sleepers since they provide excellent support for the neck, head and body. These mattresses can be utilized in conjunction with the built-in cradle that comes with a cot, which can be useful for those suffering from reflux or colic.
It is crucial to measure the mattress size and ensure that it can fit into the base of the cot prior to buying a cot that is small. Find out if the cot mattress has any particular rules or regulations, like the minimum thickness.
This adaptable design by Vox is a great choice for parents who are looking for a cot that grows with their child. It's a cot that can be converted into an infant bed. This will save you the expense of buying a new bed for your child when they are ready.
The easy-to-use setup of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace said that it "came out of the box and was unfolded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also light and compact and fits neatly into a bag smaller than a camping chair's case. It's ideal for transporting to grandparents' homes.
The cot is extremely comfortable, despite being larger than other models from our tried-and tested line-up. It's designed to be like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that absorbs the weight without making your child feel as if they are in the bouncer. It's a stable, solid option for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers could be a bit uncomfortable with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby, it is essential to ensure whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into a toddler bed. You should also check that it's the correct size for your nursery and has enough space to provide a safe 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 laid flat inside the cot. It could pose a suffocation hazard in the event that it is soft, old, or damaged. Test the mattress to see whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. A good quality mattress for cots should be firm and flat when you press it down on the middle of it.
Keep the cot free of toys, smudges and other items that could pose a choke risk. Babies must be able to move easily and roll over during their sleep, so it's also important that the cot doesn't have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot features drop-sides, be sure to check them regularly to make sure the mechanism locks securely.
Do not place the cot next to an open radiator or a bright window. It is possible that they will become too warm or wake up with sunburn. Keep the cot away from cords on wall mounted curtains and baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies can be strangled by these, and older children may get themselves caught on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.
This cot is definitely worth the extra money If you're looking for an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. The instructions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It takes some time to assemble. It's not expensive, but it will last into their toddler years.
Design
When you're looking for a small cot bed, it's important to keep in mind that you're purchasing an item that will last for a long time. Unlike cribs which are used only for a brief period of time, cots and beds are suitable from the time the time when a child can easily transition into a toddler or a single bed. To ensure that the cot you're buying will last, search for a design with adjustable base heights. This feature lets you lower the mattress height to accommodate your child's growth, keeping them secure and comfortable.
A useful design feature is the capability to remove the cot bars into sections. This is an excellent way to give your little one a feeling of independence when they begin to toddle, and will help them get in and out of their bed easily. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa simply by removing the front.
Many cots come with slatted designs which are ideal for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby. This can make a huge difference when it comes to comfort and can make all the difference when trying to ensure that your baby has a good night's sleep.
A small cot or bed is a great investment in your baby's sleeping habits and safety, and can be an attractive design element to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to pick from.
For each cot, you'll find an array of accessories such as soft duvets and premium bedding. This lets you create a a welcoming and cosy environment for your child, ensuring they have the best sleep possible.