Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed it's easy to get caught up on the specifications and safety features, but you should also consider the design too. A well-designed cot will make your room appear bigger and less cluttered.

This model is perfect for smaller bedrooms. It's light and stroller-style. It's also the most simple flatpack to put together.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots but still provide all the safety and comfort features your baby requires. They can be used until your toddler is ready for an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models convert to an elegant sofa bed to use with older children, too.

To make the most of your space, look for the right model that will fit with the furniture in your bedroom or one that can easily take apart and reassemble if you need to make room for other baby things. It is also possible to consider a compact cot bed that has built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines an armoire with a changing table and bench seat into a single piece of furniture.

There is a wide range of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup and, therefore, whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's a bed that will meet your needs. A majority of the designs that we have listed come with mattresses that are fitted which helps keep your Baby Cot's bedding clean and tidy.

It is crucial to measure the space available in your nursery prior to purchasing a cot. It is also important to consider the gap between the bars, as this should not be greater than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Our real mothers loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, that can accommodate an average 120 x 60cm mattress, and features a gorgeous sleigh-style frame. It's designed to last, with a sturdy build with high-quality materials, and is easy to alter as your child grows. It's more expensive than the other cots in our list and you'll have to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot, which we consider to be the best rated cribs value cot, is a ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It's stuffed with extra features including teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's super-easy to put together. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be required to help with the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Pick a small cheap cot beds that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep well. These mattresses are more rigid than traditional cot mattresses however they are soft enough to ensure your baby gets a good night's sleep.

These mattresses are cushioned to help prevent the retention of heat, which can cause discomfort in some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of allergens, chemicals and other substances that can cause irritation to your baby's skin.

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

When choosing a small mattress cot bed that has a cushioned mattress it is important to determine the size of the mattress as well as whether it can be placed inside the cot's base. You can also find out whether there are any specific rules and best Rated cribs regulations you need to follow when purchasing the mattress for a cot like the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents looking for a cot that will grow with their child. It's a cot which transforms into a toddler bed. This can save you the cost of buying a new bed for your child when they are ready.

The easy-to-use setup of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace noted that it "came out of the box and unfolded just like an outdoor chair". The middle joints snap into place and the cot folds into itself without a complicated mechanism to work with. It's also compact and light, fitting in a carry case that's slightly larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting this cot to grandparents at their homes.

Despite being heavier than other models in our tried and tested line-up, this cot is incredibly comfortable. It's made to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that carries the weight but doesn't make your child feel like they're in a bouncer. It's also a solid stable and safe option for back and side sleepers, however senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

It is essential to make sure that the cot bed you select is safe for your baby. Check for the BS EN code or BS8509 if you want to transform it into a toddler's bed. You should also check that it's the right size for your nursery cots and offers enough room for a safe sleeping environment for your child. It should be 140cm by 70cm and have no gaps around the corners or edges.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. If it's old, soft or damaged, it could pose a suffocation risk. Examine the mattress to determine whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. If you press the middle of a good quality cot-mattress it should feel firm.

Keep the cot free of toys, stickers and anything else that could be a choking risk. Babies should be able to move easily and roll over in their sleep, so it's essential that the cot does not have raised corner posts or cut-outs that could be used as footholds to climb out. If your cot has drop-sides, make sure you check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secure.

Avoid placing a cot next to the heat source or a sunny window. They could get too hot or wake up with sunburn. You should also keep your cot away from wall mounted curtain cords or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative accessories that have long cords. These cords can strangle babies and older children might reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.

For Scandi style and a premium finish, this cot is worth the extra investment over the cheaper alternatives. The instructions are clear and the wood feels solid. It takes some time to put together. It's not expensive however it will keep your child safe through their toddler years and look great in any nursery.

Design

When looking for a compact cot bed, you need to remember that you're likely purchasing a long-term piece of furniture. Contrary to cribs, which are utilized only for a brief period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until the time a child is old enough to easily transition into the toddler or single bed. To ensure that the crib you buy will last, search for a model that has adjustable heights for the base. This feature lets you to lower the mattress's height to accommodate your child's development, ensuring they are safe and comfortable.

Another important feature to look out for is the capability to take off sections of the cot bars. This will give your child an impression of independence once they start to toddle and make it easier to help them get into and out of the bed. For even greater flexibility the cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a cozy sofa by taking off the front of the bed.

Many cots come with slatted designs which are ideal for small spaces, as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a huge difference when it comes to comfort, and could make the difference to ensure that your baby has an adequate night's rest.

A small cot or cot bed is an excellent investment in your baby's sleeping habits and security, and is a beautiful design element to any nursery. With so many styles to choose from, it's always worth taking the time to explore the wide range of cots and cot beds available at Cuckooland to find a style that's perfect for you.

For each crib, you'll find various accessories like soft duvets, plus premium bedding. This makes it easy to create a cozy and comfortable environment for your baby's to get the best quality sleep, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.