Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to get caught up in the safety and spec features when shopping for a small bed. However, don't forget to consider the aesthetics. A well-designed cot will make your room appear bigger and less clutter-filled.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight This model is an excellent choice for smaller bedrooms. It's also the most simple flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots but still provide all the safety and comfort features that your baby needs. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models can be turned into a chic couch bed to use with older children.

Find a product that can be easily dismantled and rebuilt in the event that you need to store other baby items. Consider a compact cot-bed with built-in storage or a multifunctional design that combines the changing unit, chest of drawers and benches into one piece of furniture.

You can find a wide selection of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup, so no matter if you have a small nursery or a large playroom, there's something to fit your space. Many of the designs featured in our roundup have a fitted bed, making it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.

When selecting a cot, it's important to measure the space in your nursery and check the dimensions to make sure it's suitable before purchasing. The distance between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety purposes.

Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which takes the standard 120 x 60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful sleigh-style frame. It's built to last, with a sturdy build with high-quality materials, and is simple to adjust to your baby's needs as they grow. It is more expensive than the other cots we've reviewed, and you'll have to purchase a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great crib option for a compact nursery, and it's our pick of the most value-for-money cot. It's loaded with extra features, including teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together too. It includes a mattress however, you'll need a second for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Choose a small cot with an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will help your baby sleep comfortably. These are designed to be more firm than the traditional cot mattress but are still soft enough so that your child will have the rest of the night.

These mattresses are cushioned to reduce heat retention which can cause discomfort in some babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants and chemicals, as well as other substances that can cause irritation to your baby's skin.

These mattresses are a great crib option for back and side sleepers as they provide good support for the neck, head and body. They can be used in conjunction with the built-in cradle in a cot, which is helpful for colic or reflux.

When selecting a mattress cot bed that has cushions it is important to determine the dimensions of the mattress and whether it will fit into the cot's base. Find out if the cot mattress has any specific rules or regulations, for instance a minimum thickness.

If you're in search of a cot bed that can adapt to your child's needs, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It is initially a cot and then converts into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from having to purchase a new bed when your child is ready for it.

Our panel of testers was impressed by the simple setup of this cot The mom tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and folded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap in place and the cot collapses on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also light and compact and fits neatly into a bag slightly bigger than a camp chair's case. It's ideal for taking it 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 feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a springy base that carries the weight but doesn't make your child feel like they're bouncing around in a bouncer. It's also a sturdy stable and safe option for side and back sleepers, but the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

It is crucial to ensure that the cot you pick is safe for your baby. You should look for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it transforms into an infant bed. Check that it is the right size for the nursery and provides enough space for your child to rest comfortably. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is firm and sits flat inside the cot. It could pose an entrapment hazard when it is squishy, old, or damaged. Examine the mattress to determine whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress, it should feel firm.

Make sure the cot is free of any toys, stickers and other items that could cause choking. Babies must be able to move freely and roll over throughout their sleep, which is why it's important that the cot doesn't have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop side check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

Do not put your cot near the heat source or a window that is sunny. It could become too hot or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains and baby monitor cables and other decorative items that have long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, while older children may climb up on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.

This cot is worth the extra money for those who want an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. The instructions are clear, and the wood feels sturdy. It takes a while to put together. It's not expensive however it will keep your child safe through their toddler years and will look fantastic in any nursery.

Design

It is important to remember that you're likely to invest in long-term furniture when shopping for a bed that is small. Unlike cribs which are used only for a brief period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until the time a child is old enough to safely transition to a toddler or a single bed. Find a cot that has an adjustable base height to ensure it will last. This feature lets you lower the mattress height as your child grows, helping them stay safe and comfortable for longer.

Another design element to keep an eye out for is the ability to take sections of the cot bars. This is an excellent way to give your baby a sense of independence once they begin toddle, and will help them get in and out of their bed with ease. Some cribs beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa simply by removing the front.

The slatted style of many cribs is a good option for a small space too, as it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a significant difference in terms of comfort and can help ensure that your baby enjoys a restful night.

A small cot, or bed for cots, is a fantastic investment for your baby’s security and sleep habits. It can also be an excellent addition to any nursery. With so many options to choose from, it's always worth the effort to look through the entire selection of cots and tots and cot beds on offer at Cuckooland to find one that is suitable for your needs.

There's also various accessories, including baby bumpers, soft duvets, and premium bed linen, are available for every cot to complete the look. This makes it simple to create a warm and welcoming environment for your baby to enjoy the best infant cribs sleep possible and ensures that they are enjoying every aspect of their new home.