Buying Small Cot Beds
It's easy to focus on the safety and features when shopping for a small bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed cot can make a room feel bigger and less cluttered.
Stroller-style, and quite light This model is a good option for smaller bedrooms. It's also the simplest flatpack to assemble.
Space-saving
Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots, however, they still offer all the comfort and safety features your baby deserves. They are suitable from birth or until your toddler is able to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be converted into a stylish sofa bed to use with older children.
To help you make the most of your space, choose the right model that will fit with the furniture in your bedroom or one that can easily take apart and reassemble if you want to make room for other baby things. Best cot for newborn might also want to consider a compact cot bed with built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that combines an armoire, changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.
Our list of cots for small children and cribs includes a variety of sizes, meaning there's something to suit every space. A lot of the designs 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. You should also check the dimensions to make sure it's appropriate before you purchase. 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 features stunning sleigh-style frames. crib sets 's designed to last, with a sturdy build and high-quality materials, and it's easy to adjust as your baby grows. However, it's a more expensive option than some of the other cots on our list, and you'll need to buy a separate mattress when you pick this model.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best value cot, is another ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It's stuffed with additional features like teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be required to help with the toddler conversion.
Comfort
As a parent you want your child to enjoy a comfortable, safe sleeping environment and one of the best things you can do to help them get a good night's sleep is to pick a smaller crib bed with a comfortable mattress. These are designed to be a bit firmer than the traditional cot mattress but are still soft enough so that your child will get a good night's rest.
The cushioning on these mattresses helps in preventing the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used to make the mattress are free of irritants and chemical to ensure they don't cause irritation to your baby's sensitive skin.
These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers, as they offer excellent support for the head, neck and body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling system, which parents have found to be beneficial for reflux and colic.
It is crucial to measure the size of the mattress and ensure that it fits in the base of the cot prior to purchasing a small cot. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, such as a minimum thickness.
The adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents who want a cot that will grow with their child. It is initially an cot, but it can be converted into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from the expense of buying a new bed when your baby is ready for it.
The user-friendly setup of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace noted that it "came from the box and folded like an outdoor chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds down, 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 transporting to the grandparents' homes.
Despite being heavier than other models in our tried-and-tested line-up, this cot is incredibly comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding, and a springy bottom that can absorb the weight without making your child feel as if they're in the bouncer. It's also a sturdy, stable option for both back and side sleepers though senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby it is essential to ensure that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to meet. Check for the BS EN code or BS8509 in case you're planning to transform it into a toddler's bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the correct size for your nursery and has enough room for a safe sleep for your baby. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm and there shouldn't be gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure the mattress is level and firm. If it's old, soft or damaged, this can pose a suffocation risk. Check for any sagging areas which could be hazardous and then test how quickly the mattress springs back after pressing on it. When you press on the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it will feel solid.
Keep the cot free of toys, smudges and other things that could pose a choke risk. It is essential that babies move freely and turn over as they sleep. If your cot is equipped with drop-sides, be sure to check them regularly to make sure the mechanism is secure.
It's recommended to avoid placing a cot close to an open window or a radiator in case they get too hot or get sunburned upon waking up. You should also keep your cot away from wall mounted curtain cords as well as baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, while older babies could climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the cot.
This cot is well worth the extra money for those who want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. The instructions are clear, and the wood feels solid. It takes some time to assemble. It's not cheap however it will last your child right into their toddler years and look stunning in any nursery.
Design
It's important to consider that you'll be investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a bed that is small. Contrary to cribs that are only used for a brief period of time, cots are appropriate from the time a child is born until they're able to easily transition to the toddler bed or single bed. Find a cot that has an adjustable base height to ensure it will last. This feature lets you lower the mattress height to fit your baby's growth, keeping them secure and comfortable.
Another design element to look for is the ability to take sections of the cot bars. This will provide your child with an impression of independence once they begin to crawl and will make it easier for them to get in and out of the bed. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa by taking out the front.
The slatted design of a lot of cots is an excellent choice for small spaces, in addition, it assists to circulate air and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a huge difference in the quality of sleep and can help ensure that your baby gets an enjoyable sleep.
A small cot or cot bed is an excellent investment for your baby's sleeping habits and safety, and can be an excellent accessory to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to choose from.
For each cot, there's a variety of accessories, including soft duvets, plus premium bedding. This will allow you to create a a welcoming and cosy environment for your baby, making sure they are getting the best quality sleep possible.