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 an excellent addition to any nursery. A drawer and an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails keep it neat and tidy.

If your baby is a troublesome sleeper, this smart crib might be the answer. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the baby's womb.

Size

A good cribs cot size strikes a balance between giving your baby room to grow, but not overcrowding the nursery by massive beds. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm x 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most infants until they reach around three years of age. Some cots could have curving edges or other features that can alter the size of a mattress. It is therefore crucial to verify your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.

You can find cots at a wide range of retailers including Dunelm or top ranked Cribs (Full Post) Ikea. Many also offer a returns policy, so you can return the cot if it does not meet your needs. It's also a good idea to shop online cots, as you can gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot, and how it will look in your nursery.

If you're looking for the best cot, check out the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot will monitor your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, simulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve an unwinding sleep, and it can be used with any cot or crib. It's perfect for babies with breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It can also track their sleep patterns to help you understand your child's habits.

Another alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot is made of solid beech and has a an adjustable panel that can be transformed into a toddler bed. It also comes with an impressive variety of mattress positions, meaning you can customize the level of your child's sleeping space as they increase in height. It's also a great option for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings and our panel found it easy to construct.

The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection, is another budget-friendly option. It comes in a variety of colors from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth up until your child is four. It has three mattress options that will allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be converted into a Toddler Bed by taking the side panels off and adding the footboard. The crib comes with a mattress and is FSC certified.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are a crucial part of your baby's nursery but they must be safe as well. Choose a cot that has been certified to meet British safety standards and carries the code BS EN 716. It should have a flat and firm mattress, and should not be filled with duvets or bumpers that aren't suggested.

If you are purchasing a second-hand cot, make sure to check the date of purchase. Lead paint is toxic for babies. Be sure to look for signs that the cot was used, particularly around the sides, where children might rub their hands. This can cause irritation to the skin. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that might peel off, posing a choking risk to your child.

Some cots come with extra features, such as storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mum testers praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. It's easy to assemble, and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also said it was also one of the easiest cribs that can be converted into a toddler-sized bed. It also comes with an optional drawer to help you keep the nursery clean and comes with three adjustable heights so you can use it as your baby grows.

The depth of the cot is a further important consideration. Look for a cot that is at least 50cm in depth, as this will stop your child from climbing out as they increase their mobility. It is also worth considering the type of mattress you'll require, as there are many choices out available, including foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials for allergy sufferers. It is also advisable to consider purchasing a cot cover to protect your mattress from stains and spills in the event that you decide to purchase an entirely new cot. If you're purchasing a second-hand cot, you'll want to consult an expert to evaluate the safety of the cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost about PS100 but it's well worth it to have peace of mind.

Style

It's easy to get bogged down on safety and spec when shopping for a baby but remember to think about the style. A cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that suits your baby's room as well as your decor. Numerous cots and bed are available in different colours and designs that can be matched to the furniture and interiors of your nursery that you choose for your baby's bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed illustrates how stylish a crib can be. The under-bed storage drawer was a feature that helped it earn high scores from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed functional and fashionable. The cot is easy to assemble, even though it comes flat-packed, with easy instructions and clearly labeled parts.

Stokke Sleepi is another option for a fashionable and functional cot. It combines the style of Scandi with the benefit of being able to 'grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child turns five years old. of age, at which point it could be transformed into a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Our testers were impressed with its sturdy design and smooth oval shape however, it could be a bit costly for some.

A crib is a safe space for your baby to lay throughout the day and at night, but it's important that you go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them closely to ensure that your child is snug and secure. If you choose a model that has bars that are not properly spaced, your baby may get trapped or choke. Also, you should be sure that the mechanism for dropping is reliable and does not let your child lower it.

If you're buying an cot that converts to a mattress, be sure it is compliant with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which have an anti-bite strip on the top of the bars. This information is typically included in the description of the product for cots or cot beds however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.

Convertibility

Certain models are designed to last for a long time. The most popular convert into toddler beds, and sometimes even sofas, allowing you to use them past the infant stage. These are more expensive as they need to hold 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 has grown.

A cot is also one of the most important purchases you'll make for your new arrival, and it's vital to ensure it meets strict UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and also make sure that it has a base that's fully slatted and has no gaps in all of the sides. If it does not then you'll need to purchase a separate mattress.

Some cots come with extra features such as storage drawers and teething rails that can help reduce space and make your life as a parent easier. Others are simple to assemble which is ideal if you are short on time or worried about putting it together yourself. One of our mom testers has rated the John Lewis cot sets-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.

Another option is the beautiful Boori cot, which is an elegant design and comes in an array of finishes to suit your nursery. It can be converted into a toddler bed by removing one of the sides of the cot. It can then be converted into a junior cot using the addition a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to fit your room, and one of our test parents stated that it lasted for three children.

Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It has a modular design which allows it to be expanded into different 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. It's also a top choice for aesthetics, with our panel loving the natural finish and smooth oval shape.