How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it an excellent accessory to any nursery. It's also tidy with a drawer and a handy anti-bite plastic strip that runs across the top rails.
This crib is the solution for your child who is fussy. It responds to their cries by making soothing sounds that resemble the mother's womb.
Size
A cot that is suitable for your child is the ideal size to give your baby room to grow without overwhelming the nursery. The standard UK mattress for cots is 70cm x 140cm, which should accommodate most babies up to around three years old. Some cots could have curving edges or other features that may affect the fit of a mattress. It is therefore essential to check the cot's footprint prior buying.
There are a lot of stores on the high street where you can check out a wide range of cots, such as Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers have the option of a return policy, so you can swap out a cot that isn't suitable for your needs. It's also a good idea to shop online, since you can get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot, and how it will look in your nursery.
If you're looking for a cot that is of high-quality that is of high-end quality, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. This cot monitors the baby's crying and responds by gently rocking the baby to sleep, imitating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to assist your baby in achieving a restful sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's a great option for fussy newborns and babies with breathing difficulties and it can track their sleep cycles and aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your baby.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another excellent alternative. This minimalistic cot is made from solid beech and features an adjustable panel that can be transformed into an infant bed. It also offers a wide range of mattress base positions, meaning you can customize the level of your child's bed as they increase in height. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to construct.
The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It's available in a range of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey and is suitable from birth until the time your child is four years old. It comes with three mattress height settings which will help you to reach your baby easily, and can be converted into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and adding the footboard. The cot has a mattress, and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an important element of the nursery for your baby, but they have to be safe too. 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 should not be filled with duvets or bumpers that aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're buying a used crib, be sure to check the age of the cot. Lead paint is harmful to babies. Check for signs that the cot has been used, especially on the sides, where children might rub their hands. This can cause skin irritation. Also, it's worth checking for any transfers or stickers since they could peel off and present a choking hazard to your child.
Some cots have extra features such as teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mom test subjects praised this John Lewis model for being both stylish and functional. It's simple to put together and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also noted that it's also one of the most simple cribs to transform into a toddler-sized bed. It also comes with an optional drawer to help you keep the nursery tidy, and has 3 adjustable heights, so you can use it as your baby grows.
The depth of the cot is an additional important consideration. Choose a cot which is at least 50cm in depth in order to stop your child from climbing out as they increase their mobility. There are a variety of options for cot mattresses that include foam, spring interiors, or natural materials If you have allergies. It is also advisable to consider buying a cot protector to shield the mattress from stains and spills if you plan to purchase a new cot. If you're buying a second-hand cot, you should consider hiring a professional to assess the safety of the cot and repair any damage. It's usually about PS100 but it's well worth it to have peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child, it's easy to get caught up in safety and specs. But don't overlook style. It is essential to select the right cot for your baby's nursery as well as your decor. Many cots and beds are available in various colors and designs to match any furniture and interiors you decide to put in your baby's bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a fantastic illustration of how stylish a cot can be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel, while teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. The cot is easy to put together, despite the fact that it comes flat-packed, with simple instructions and labelled parts.
Another option for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi design with the functionality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used as a cot from birth until the time your child reaches the age of five, when it can be converted into a bed for toddlers by removing a side. Its sleek oval design and quality construction impressed our test subjects however the cost might be a problem for some.
A cot is a safe place for your baby to sleep both at night and during the day, but it's important that you read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and follow them closely to ensure your baby is snug and secure. If you select a model with bars that are too close together your baby may get trapped or choke. you should also check that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and effectively, and can't be easily lowered by your child.
You should also ensure that the cot you purchase is in compliance with UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which includes an anti-bite plastic strip on the top of the bars. This information is typically included in the product description of cots or cot beds but you can also check the website of the seller.
Convertibility
You may want your cot to last a long time, and certain models are made to do that. Many popular cots can be turned into sofas or toddler beds. This allows you to continue using it long after the baby stage. These are more expensive as they need to hold the weight of an adult for a longer time, however they can be a great value for the money if you plan to keep using them after your baby is older.
It's important to make sure that the cot you pick meets UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product's page to confirm this, and also make sure that it has a base that's fully slatted and does not have gaps in any of the sides. If it doesn't you'll have to buy a mattress separately.
Some cots are also equipped with additional features, such as a storage drawer and teething rails, which can help save space and make life as a parent easier. Some cots are easy to put together, which is ideal when you're strapped for time or are concerned about putting them together. The John Lewis cot bed, for instance, was rated by one of our mum testers as the'most simple flatpack to assemble and comes with clear instructions and photos.
Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which is a timeless design and comes with a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It has 3 adjustable mattress heights and can be made an infant bed by removing the side, and then it can be converted to a junior bed with the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to suit your space, and one of our test parents reported that hers lasted through three children.
Full Statement is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an open design that allows you to transform it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for use from birth and with the addition of the side, it could be transformed into the bed of a toddler. Once your child reaches an older age, you can then upgrade to a junior bed. Our panel also picked it for its aesthetics. They loved the natural finish and oval shape.