Notes

7 Small Changes You Can Make That'll Make A Big Difference In Your Small Cot Beds
Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to get caught up in the safety and spec features when shopping for a small bed. But don't forget about the aesthetics. A well-designed cot can help make the space appear larger and less cluttered.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight, this model is a great choice for smaller bedrooms. It's the most simple flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots that still provide all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They are suitable from birth, or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models convert into an elegant sofa bed to use with older children too.

Choose a model that can be easily dismantled, then reassembled when you need to store other baby items. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multifunctional design that includes a changing unit with a chest of drawers, a changing table and a benches into one piece of furniture.

Our list of cots for small children and cribs has a range of sizes, so there is something for every space. A lot of the cribs on our list have a fitted mattress that makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

When choosing a cot, it's important to determine the size of your nursery and verify the dimensions to ensure it's suitable before making your purchase. The distance between the bars should be no greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety purposes.


Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, that can accommodate an average 120x60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful frame in the sleigh style. It's built to last with a sturdy build with high-quality materials, and is easy to adjust to your baby's needs as they grow. However, it's a much more expensive option than some of the other cots we've reviewed and you'll have to purchase a mattress if you choose this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a small nursery, and is our choice of the best value cot. It's stuffed with extra features, including teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together too. The mattress is included, however another one will be needed to help with the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has a comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep well. They are designed to be more firm than a traditional cot mattress but still soft enough that your baby will enjoy an enjoyable night's sleep.

The cushioning on these mattresses also helps to prevent the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort for 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.

Typically, these types of mattresses are also a good choice for side and back sleepers, as they provide great support for the neck and head as well as body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling system, which many parents find to be beneficial for colic and reflux.

It is crucial to measure the size of the mattress and ensure that it fits in the base of the cot prior to buying a cot that is small. Find out if the cot mattress has any specific rules or regulations, like a minimum thickness.

This adaptable design by Vox is a great option for parents who are looking for a cot that grows with their child. It is initially a cot and then converts into an infant bed, saving you from the expense of buying an entirely new bed once your baby is ready for it.

The user-friendly setup of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace said that it "came out of the box and unfolded just like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds into itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It's also compact and lightweight, fitting neatly into a bag that's slightly larger than a camp chair's case and ideal for taking it to grandparents' homes.

Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried-and tested line-up, this cot feels extremely comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress and has plenty of padding and a springy base that carries weight without making your baby feel like they're in a bouncer. It's also a solid and stable choice for back and side sleepers though the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby, it is essential to ensure whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. Look out for tots and cots , or BS 8509 if it transforms into an infant bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough space to provide a safe sleep for your baby. It should be at minimum 140cm by 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. If it's soft, old or damaged, this can pose a suffocation risk. Examine the mattress to determine whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press down on the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it should feel solid.

Keep the cot free of any toys, stickers and other items that could pose a choking risk. It's essential that babies move around freely and roll over while they sleep. If your cot features a drop-side, check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secured.

Do not put the cot next to a radiator or a bright window. It is possible that they will become too warm or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot far away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains, baby monitor cables, and other accessories with long cords. Cords that are strangled by babies and older children might reach out to grab bars from the cot or even pull themselves up.

This cot is worth the extra expense If you're looking for an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. It's a bit time-consuming to put together but the directions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not cheap, but it will last your child into their toddler years.

Design

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's crucial to remember that you're purchasing something that will last for years. Contrary to cribs that are only used for a brief period of time, cots are appropriate from the time a child is born until they can safely transition to the toddler bed or single bed. To ensure that the crib you're buying will last, look for a model with adjustable heights for the base. This feature allows you to lower the mattress height as your baby grows, ensuring they stay in a safe and comfortable position for longer.

Another useful design feature to look out for is the ability to take off sections of the cot bars. This will provide your child with an impression of independence once they start to toddle and will make it easier for them to get in and out of the bed. To make it even more flexible the cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot can also be converted into a cozy sofa by taking the front off of the bed.

The slatted design of many cots is a great option for small spaces, also, since it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a huge difference in the quality of sleep and help ensure that your baby has a restful night.

A compact cot, also known as a the cot-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby’s safety and sleeping habits. It can also be a lovely addition to any nursery. Cuckooland offers a variety of cots and beds for you to pick from.

You'll also find that a range of accessories, such as baby bumpers and soft duvets made of premium bed linen, are available for each cot to complete the look. This makes it easy to put together a cosy and welcoming environment for your baby's to get the best possible rest and ensures that they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.

Website: https://www.cots4tots.co.uk/