How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
With its sleek, minimalist design and warm oak finish, this cot from Silver Cross looks stylish in any nursery. It's also tidy by having a drawer and an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails.
This crib is the answer for your baby who is a bit fussy. It responds to their cries with soothing sounds that mimic the baby's womb.
Size
A cot that is of high quality is the perfect size to allow your baby room to grow without overwhelming the nursery. The standard UK mattress for cots is 70cm x 140cm, which should accommodate most infants up to three years old. Some cots may have curving edges or other features that can affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore crucial to double check your cot's footprint prior buying.
There are many stores on the high street that offer an array of cots. Some include Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers have a return policy so you can exchange the cot that doesn't meet your requirements. You can also get a feel for the size of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping on the internet.
If you're looking for the best cot, check out the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot can monitor your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, simulating the sounds of the womb. This technology helps your baby get a great night's rest. It can be placed in any cot or crib. It's perfect for babies with breathing problems or fussy newborns. It can also track their sleep patterns to help you know your child's behavior.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another excellent option. This minimalist cot is constructed from solid beech and features an adjustable panel that can be transformed into a toddler bed. It also offers a wide range of mattress base positions, meaning you can customize the size of your child's bed as they expand. It's also a great choice for smaller rooms or ceilings that slope and our panel found it easy to construct.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It comes in a variety of finishes from white to dark slate gray and is suitable from birth until your child reaches the age of four. It comes with three mattress height settings which allow you reach your baby easily and it can be transformed into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and adding the footboard. The cot includes a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cots are crucial for the nursery of your baby's, but they must also be secure. Look for a cot with the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified to meet British safety standards. It should have a flat and firm mattress, and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers that aren't suggested.
If you are purchasing a second-hand cot, be sure to determine the age of it. Lead paint is poisonous for infants. Check for signs of wear and tear, particularly on the sides where a child might rub their hands, as this may cause skin irritation. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that could peel off, posing an choking risk for your baby.
Some cots are equipped with additional features, like teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum testers was particularly impressed by 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 added that it was also one of the easiest cribs 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 are adjustable, so you can use it to accommodate your growing baby.
Another thing to consider is the depth of the cot. You should choose the cot to have a minimum depth of 50cm, as this will prevent your child from climbing up the cot as they become more mobile. There are a myriad of options for cot mattresses which include spring interiors, foam, or natural materials if you suffer from allergies. If you're planning to buy a new cot you might be interested in a mattress protector to protect against stains or spills. It's worth hiring an expert to examine the safety of an old cot and fix any damage. This service will cost you about PS100, but it is worthwhile to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
It's easy to get caught up with spec and safety when buying for a baby but remember to think about style. A cot will be in use for a long time so it is essential to choose one that suits the room of your baby and your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds are available in different colourways and designs that look great with any nursery furniture or interiors you have selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib could be. The drawer under the bed is a useful feature that helped it score high marks on our panel, and teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is fashionable. Our testers also liked that the cot was easy to construct, even though it comes in a flatpack, complete with clearly labeled parts and easy instructions.
Another alternative for an elegant cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines the design of Scandi with the function of a cot that can 'grow' with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child is five years older, at which point it can be transformed into a toddler bed with the removal of the 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 a model with bars that are too close your baby may become trapped or choke. It is also important to make sure the drop-side mechanism works efficiently and reliably, and can't be easily lowered by your child. If you choose a model with bars that are too tightly separated, your baby could become trapped or choke. Also, you should be sure that the drop-side mechanism is secure and doesn't let your child lower it.
You should also ensure that the cot you buy is compliant with UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip along the top of the bars. The majority of cots and cots will have this information included in the product description or on their website, but if you have any concerns, it's worth speaking to the retailer to be certain.
Convertibility
You may want your cot to last a long time and some models are designed to do just that. The most popular models convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas which allows you to use them past the infant stage. They are more expensive because they must support an overweight child for a longer period of time. However, cheap cot beds are a great investment if you are planning to keep them in use long after your baby is grown.
It's important to make sure that the cot you pick is in compliance with UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that is fully slatted and does not have gaps in all of the sides. If it isn't, you will need to purchase a new mattress.
Some cots come with additional features like rails for teething. These can help save space and make life easier for parents. Others are easy to assemble, which is perfect if you are short on time or worried about putting it all together yourself. One of our mom testers rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and photos.
The Boori cot is a different option. It has a classic look and comes in a variety of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It comes with three adjustable height positions for the mattress and can be made a toddler bed by removing the side, and later it can be converted to a junior bed with the addition of an additional footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to suit your space, and one of our test parents said hers had lasted through three kids.
Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to build it into various configurations. The mini model is ideal for babies and can be converted into a toddler bed by the addition of a side, and it can be converted into a junior bed when your child is ready. Our panel also chose it for its aesthetics. They were enthralled by the natural finish and the oval shape.