How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK

Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. The warm oak finish makes it a wonderful addition to any nursery. A drawer as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on its top rails keep it tidy too.

This smart crib could be the answer for your fussy baby. It makes soothing sounds that mimic a baby's womb.

Size

A cot that is the right size balances providing your baby with space to grow and not overcrowding the nursery cots by massive beds. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm x 140cm. This should be adequate to fit most babies until they reach three years of age. Some cots could have curving edges or other features that may affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to check the cot's footprint prior to purchasing.

There are affordable cots available at a variety of high-street stores, including Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers offer an exchange policy so that you can swap out a cot that isn't suitable for your needs. 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 seeking a high-quality cot one of the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. The cot listens to your baby's cries and responds by gently rocking the baby to sleep, imitating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to aid your baby's journey to an unwinding sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's perfect for babies with breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It also tracks their sleep cycles to help you better understand your child's habits.

Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. The cot is minimalist and constructed out of solid beech, and comes with a the ability to remove the panel and transform it into a toddler bed. It also offers a wide range of mattress bases that allows you to alter the height of your child's sleeping space as they increase in height. It's also a great choice for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to put together.

The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a different budget-friendly option. It is available in a variety of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey and is suitable from birth until your child is four years old. It has three mattress height settings that will allow you reach your child easily and can be turned into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and putting in an additional footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and comes with a mattress included.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an essential part of your baby's nursery but they have to be safe as well. Choose a cot that is certified to meet British safety standards and carries the code BS EN 716. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and not be filled with duvets or bumpers, which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.

If you are purchasing a second-hand crib, be sure to verify the age of it. Lead paint is harmful to babies. Be sure to look for signs that the cot was used, cot bed particularly along the sides, where a child could rub their hands. This can cause irritation to the skin. Also, it's worth checking for any stickers or transfers as these can peel off and present an choking risk to your child.

Some cots come with extra features, like storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mom testers particularly praised this model from John Lewis which is both fashionable and cot bed practical. It's easy to put together, and all the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also noted that it's also one of the easiest cribs to transform into a toddler bed. The cot comes with an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also has three adjustable heights, so you can make it suitable for your growing child.

Another factor to consider is the depth of the cot. Choose a cot which is at least 50cm deep, as this will stop your child from climbing out when they begin to become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the kind of mattress you'll need, as there are many choices out available from foam and spring interiors to natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. It is also advisable to consider purchasing a cot cover to shield the mattress from stains and spills if you plan to purchase an entirely new cot. If you're purchasing a second-hand cot, it's worth getting an expert to evaluate its safety and repair any damage. It's typically about PS100 but it's worth the investment to ensure your peace of mind.

Style

It's easy to get caught up with spec and safety when purchasing a baby's cot but remember to think about style. A cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that suits your baby's room as well as your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds come in a variety of colors and designs that look great with any nursery furniture or interiors you have selected for your baby's initial bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great example of how stylish a cot could be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel, while teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. The cot is easy to put together, despite the fact that it is delivered flat, with easy instructions and clearly labeled parts.

Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish and functional cot. It blends the Scandi style with the functionality of being able grow with' your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child is five years old. older, at which point it can be transformed to a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Our testers were impressed with its high-quality design and smooth oval shape but it may be a bit expensive for some.

If you choose the model with bars that are too close your baby may become trapped or choke. You should also ensure that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you choose a model with bars that are too close together, your baby could become trapped or choke. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and effectively and cannot be easily lifted by your child.

You should also ensure that the cot you purchase is in compliance with UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and if it converts into a bed, BS 8509, which includes an anti-bite plastic strip on the top of the bars. Most cots and cot beds will include this information in the description of the product or on their website, however should you have any questions you should speak to the retailer to be certain.

Convertibility

You might want your cot to last a long time, and some models are made to do that. The most popular models convert into toddler beds and even sofas, allowing you to use it well beyond the infant stage. These cost more because they have to support an overweight child for a longer period of time. However, they are a great investment if you plan to keep them in use long after your Baby Cot Bed is grown.

A cot is among the most important purchases you will make for your new arrival It is crucial to ensure that it complies with strict UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product page to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that is fully slatted and has no gaps on all sides. If it is not, you will have to buy a separate bed mattress.

Some cots have extra features, such as rails for teething. These can help save space and simplify the lives of parents. Some are simple to put together and are ideal if you are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it together yourself. The John Lewis cot bed, for instance, was rated by one our mom testers as being the most simple flatpack to put together and comes with clear instructions and pictures.

Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which has an elegant design and is available in a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be converted to a toddler bed by removing one of the sides of the cot. Then it can be transformed into a junior cot using the addition a footboard. It comes in a variety of sizes that will fit your room. One of our test subjects stated that her bed lasted for 3 children.

Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It comes with a modular design which allows it to be expanded into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for use from birth and with the addition of an additional side, it can be converted into an infant's bed. When your child is older you can upgrade to a junior bed. It's also a top pick for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and smooth oval shape.