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 and a handy anti-bite strip of plastic on the top rails keep it neat too.
This crib is the solution to soothe your baby who is a bit fussy. It responds with soothing sounds that mimic the sound of a baby's womb.
Size
A cot that is suitable for your child is the perfect size to give your baby space to grow without weighing down the nursery. The standard UK mattress for cots is 70cm by 140cm, which should accommodate most infants up to three years old. Some cots could have curving edges or other features that may impact the size of a mattress. It is therefore essential to verify your cot's footprint prior buying.
You can find cots at many high-street retailers such as Dunelm or Ikea. click homepage offer a returns policy, which means you can return the cot if it doesn't meet your requirements. You can also get a feel about the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping on the internet.
If you are looking for a high-quality cot one of the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a great choice. This cot will monitor your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to aid your baby's journey to a restful sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It is ideal for babies who suffer from breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It also monitors their sleep patterns to help you better understand your child's routines.
Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot is made from solid beech and features a removable panel to transform into an infant bed. It comes with a variety of mattress bases, which means you can alter the height of your child's sleeping area to suit their requirements. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings, and our panel found it simple to assemble.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a variety of colors from white to dark slate gray and can be used from birth until your child is four. It has three mattress settings that let you easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a Toddler Bed by taking off the side panels and adding a footboard. The cot is FSC certified and comes with a mattress included.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an essential element of the nursery for your baby, but they have to be safe as well. Look for a cot with the code BS EN 716 and that is certified to meet British safety standards. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and should not be stuffed with duvets and bumpers, which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're buying a second-hand cot, be sure that it's not too old since paint could contain lead which is toxic to babies. Check for signs that the cot has been used, especially around the sides, where children could rub their hands. This could cause skin irritation. Also, make sure to look for any transfers or stickers as these can peel off and create a choking hazard to your child.
Certain cots are equipped with extra features like teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mum test subjects particularly liked this model from John Lewis which is both elegant and practical. "It's extremely simple to put together, and has all the pieces labeled alphabetically," she said, noting that it's one of the most simple cots on the market to convert into a toddler bed. Baby beds comes with a drawer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also has three heights that can be adjusted that allow you to use it for your growing baby.
Another consideration is the depth of the cot. You should look for a cot with at least 50cm of depth to prevent your child from climbing the cot as they become more mobile. It is also important to consider the type of mattress you'll require, as there are a variety of options out available from foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials for allergy sufferers. You may also want to consider buying a cot protector to protect the mattress from spills and stains in the event that you decide to purchase an entirely new cot. It's a good idea to hire a professional to inspect the safety of an old cot and repair any damage. The cost of this service is around PS100 however it's worth it to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
It can be easy to get caught up on safety and spec when shopping for a baby but remember to think about the style. It is crucial to choose a cot that matches your baby's nursery and your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds are available in a variety of styles and colours that look great with the furniture or interiors you've selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great example of how stylish a cot could be. The storage drawer in the under-bed was an added feature that made it a winner for high scores from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights also make this cot bed functional and stylish. Our testers also liked that the cot was easy to build and was delivered in a flatpack with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi style with the practicality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used as a cot right from birth or until your child reaches the age of five, at which point you can convert it into a toddler's bed by cutting off a corner. Our testers were impressed by its quality design and smooth oval shape however, it could be a bit costly for some.
If you select the model with bars that are too close your child could be trapped or choke. Also, you should make sure the drop-side mechanism operates smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily lowered by your child. If you select a cot that has bars that are too tightly spaced, your baby may become trapped or choke. You should also make sure that the mechanism for dropping is secure and doesn't allow your child to lower it.
You should also ensure that the cot you purchase is compliant with UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and if it converts into bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the bars. This information is typically included in the description of the product for the cot or bed, but you may also check the retailer's website.
Convertibility
It is possible that your cot to last a long time and some models are designed to accomplish that. The most popular convert into toddler beds and sometimes even sofas which allows you to use it beyond the infant stage. These are more expensive because they have to support the weight of an adult for a longer period, however, they can offer excellent value for the money if you plan to continue using them once your baby is older.
It is crucial to ensure that the cot you select meets UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product page to confirm this, and check that it has a base that's completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in all of the sides. If it doesn't, you will need to purchase a separate mattress.
Some cots are equipped with extra features, such as a drawer for storage or teething rails. They can save space and simplify the lives of parents. Some cots are easy to put together, which is ideal in case you're running out of time or you're worried about putting them together. The John Lewis cot bed, for instance, was rated by one our mum testers as the 'easiest flatpack to assemble and comes with clear instructions and photos.
Another option is the gorgeous Boori cot, which is an elegant design and comes with a variety of finishes to suit your nursery. It has 3 adjustable mattress height positions and can be converted to 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 different sizes that will suit your room. One of our test subjects stated that her bed lasted for 3 children.
Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It is an modular design that allows it to be adapted into various configurations. The mini model is ideal from birth and then converts into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and it can be converted to a junior bed when your child is ready for it. Our panel also chose it due to its design. They loved the natural finish and the oval shape.