How to Choose the best cots uk - research by the staff of Click 4r, 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 and a handy anti-bite plastic strip on its top rails will help keep it tidy too.

This crib with smart technology could be the solution for your baby who is a bit fussy. It is able to respond with soothing sounds that mimic the sound of a baby's womb.

Size

A good cot is the perfect size to allow your baby room to grow without overwhelming the nursery. The standard UK cot size is 70cm x 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most infants until they reach around three years of age. Some cots may have curves or other features that could alter the size of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to double check your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.

There are plenty of retailers on the high street where you can check out an array of cots and tots, including Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers have a return policy so you can return a cot that isn't suitable for your needs. You can also get a feel for the size of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping online.

If you're looking for a high-quality cot, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great option. The cot will listen to your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve a restful sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's ideal for babies with breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It can also track their sleep cycles to help you better understand your child's routines.

Another option is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This cot that is minimalistic, made of solid beech, comes with a removable panel that transforms it into a bed for toddlers. It also has an impressive range of mattress bases, meaning you can customize the height of your child's sleeping area as they increase in height. It's an excellent choice for bedrooms with small cot beds spaces or with ceilings that slope. Our panel was also easy to set up.

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 from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress settings that will allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a Toddler Bed by taking the side panels off and adding an additional footboard. The crib has a mattress, and is FSC certified.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an essential part of the nursery of your baby's however, they must be safe too. Find a cot that has been certified to meet the British safety standards and bears the code BS EN 716. It should also have a solid flat mattress, and not be stuffed with duvets and bumpers which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.

If you are buying a secondhand cot, ensure it's not too old since paint can contain lead that is toxic to babies. Look for indications that the cot has been used, particularly along the sides, where a child may rub their hands. This could cause irritation to the skin. Examine any stickers or transfers that could be removed, posing the risk of choking your child.

Some cots are equipped with additional features, such as storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mum test subjects particularly liked this model from John Lewis which is both fashionable and practical. It's easy to put together and all pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also noted that it's also one of the easiest cribs beds to convert into a toddler bed. The cot has an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three heights that can be adjusted, so you can make it suitable for your growing baby.

Another factor to consider is the depth of the cot. Look for a cot that is at least 50cm deep to prevent your child from escaping as they increase their mobility. It is also important to consider the type of mattress you'll require, as there are a variety of options out available, including foam, spring interiors or natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you're considering buying a new cot you might also be interested in a mattress protector to safeguard against stains or spills. It's worth hiring a professional to inspect the safety of an old cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost about PS100 but it's well worth it to have peace of mind.

Style

When you're shopping for a baby, it's easy to become engrossed in safety and specs. But don't overlook the style. A cot is going to be used for a long time so it's important to find one that matches your baby's room and your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds are available in a variety of colors and designs that will look great with any nursery furniture or interiors that you've selected for your baby's initial bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a fantastic illustration of how stylish a cot could be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a useful feature that helped it score high marks with our panel. Likewise, teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. Our testers also loved that the sale cot was simple to construct, even though it comes in a flatpack with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.

Another alternative for an elegant cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi design with the functionality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child turns five years old. of age, at which point it could be transformed to a toddler bed by the removal of the side. Our testers were impressed with its high-quality construction and smooth oval-shaped finish but it may be a bit expensive for some.

If you choose a model with bars that are too close together your child could be trapped or choke. Also, you should make sure the drop-side mechanism functions smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you choose a cot that has bars that are not properly separated, your baby could be trapped or choke. It is also important to ensure that the mechanism for dropping is safe and doesn't allow your child to lower it.

If you're purchasing an cot that converts to a mattress, be sure it is compliant with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 that have an anti-bite strip on the top of the bars. The majority of cots and beds will have this information included in the product description or on their website, however should you have any questions you should speak to the seller to ensure.

Convertibility

Certain models are designed to last for an extended period of time. The most well-known converts into toddler beds and even sofas that allow you to use it past the infant stage. These are more expensive due to the fact that they must support the weight of the larger child for a longer time, however, they can offer excellent value for your money if you are planning to keep using them after your child is older.

It's important to make sure that the cot you select is in compliance with UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the page of the product to confirm. Also, ensure the base is fully slatted with no gaps on any sides. If it doesn't, you will have to purchase a new bed mattress.

Some cots are also equipped with additional features, such as storage drawers and teething rails that can help you reduce space and make parenting experience easier. Some cots are simple put together, which is ideal when you're strapped for time or you're worried about putting them together by yourself. The John Lewis cot bed, for example, was rated by one our mom testers as being the'most simple flatpack to assemble' and is complete with clear instructions and photos.

The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a classic style and comes in a range of finishes that will fit your nursery. It comes with three adjustable mattress height positions and can be made an infant bed by removing the side, and later it can be converted to a junior bed with the addition of an additional footboard. It comes in a variety of sizes that will fit your room. One of our testers said hers lasted through three kids.

Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to expand it into different configurations. The mini cotbed model is suitable for use from birth however, with the addition of the side, it could be transformed into the bed of a toddler. When your child reaches an older age, you can make the switch to a junior bed. It's also a top pick for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and smooth oval shape.