Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to focus on the safety and features when looking for a smaller bed. But don't forget about the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can make smaller rooms appear larger and less cluttered.

This model is perfect for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's light and stroller-style. It's also the simplest flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

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

To make the most of your space, choose a model that fits in with your existing furniture in the bedroom, or one that you can easily take apart and put up again when you need to put in other baby objects. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multifunctional design that combines the changing unit, chest of drawers and bench seat in one piece of furniture.

You can find a wide range of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup, so whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's a bed that will fit your space. A lot of the designs in our roundup include a fitted bed, which makes it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.

It's important that you measure the space available in your nursery prior to purchasing a cot. You should also look at the space between the bars since it should not be more than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot, which takes a standard 120 x 60cm mattress, and features a gorgeous frame in the sleigh style. It's designed to last, with a solid construction and high-quality materials, and it's easy to alter to your baby's needs as they grow. It's more expensive than the other cots in our list and you'll have to purchase a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot, which we consider to be the best value cot, is another great crib option for a compact nursery. It's packed full of 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. It includes a mattress, but you'll need to buy another one to convert it into a toddler.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to rest comfortably. These mattresses are more rigid than traditional cot mattresses, but soft enough to ensure that your child gets a good night's rest.

The cushioning of these mattresses can also help to reduce the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort for certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants chemical compounds and other substances that could 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, head and body. They can be used together with the built-in cradle in a cot, which can be beneficial for reflux or colic.

If you are considering a crib bed with cushions it is important to determine the size of the mattress and if it can be placed inside the base of the cot. You can also find out if there are any other specific rules and regulations you need to adhere to when buying mattresses for cots like the minimum thickness.

The adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents looking for an cot that can grow with their child. It's a cot that converts to an infant bed. This will save you the expense of purchasing an additional bed for your child when they are ready.

Our panel of test participants loved this cot's easy setup The mom tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and unfolded like a camp chair". The middle joints snap into place and the cot then collapses on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also compact and lightweight and fits neatly into a bag slightly bigger than a camp chair's case, and is ideal for taking it to grandparents' homes.

This cot is extremely comfy, despite being larger than other models from our tried-and-tested line-up. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that absorbs the weight without making your child feel like they're in a bouncer. It's also a sturdy and stable choice for side and back sleepers, though the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.

Safety

It's vital to ensure that the cot bed you pick is safe for your baby. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into a toddler bed. Make sure it's the correct size for your nursery and is big enough for your child to sleep safely. It should be at minimum 140cm by 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. It can be dangerous to suffocate when it is squishy or old, or damaged. Check for any areas of sagging which could be hazardous, and test to see how quickly the mattress springs back after pressing on it. A good quality mattress for cots should be solid and flat when you press it down on the middle of it.

Keep the cot free of any toys, stickers and anything else that could be a choking risk. Babies should be able to move freely and roll over during their sleep, so it's also important that the cot doesn't have raised corners or cut-outs could be used as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop side check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

It's recommended to avoid placing a cot near the sun or a radiator in case they get too hot or wake up with a sunburn. You should also keep your cot away from cords for curtain rods that hang from the wall as well as Baby Cot Bed monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. These cords can strangle babies and older children might reach out to grab cot bars or pull themselves up.

This cot is well worth the extra expense if you want an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. The instructions are clear, and the wood feels solid. It takes some time to assemble. It's not cheap baby cots for sale, but it will last into their toddler years.

Design

When you're looking for a small cot bed, it's important to remember that you're investing in an item that will last for a long time. In contrast to cribs, which are designed for a brief period of time, cots are appropriate from the moment a child is born until they can easily transition to a toddler bed or kids single bed. Choose a cot with an adjustable base height to ensure it will last. This feature lets you lower the mattress height to fit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfy.

Another useful design feature to keep an eye out for is the capability to take off sections of cot bars. This will provide your child with a sense of independence when they begin to play and make it easier for them to get into and out of the bed. Some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa by removing the front.

Many cots have slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant cot bed. This can make a huge difference in terms of comfort and help ensure that your baby enjoys an enjoyable sleep.

A small cot, or bed for cots, is a fantastic investment for your baby's security and sleep habits. It's also a lovely addition to any nursery. Cuckooland offers a variety of cots and beds for you to pick from.

There's also a range of accessories, such as baby bumpers, soft duvets, and premium bed linen, are available for every cot to complete the look. This lets you create a a welcoming and cosy environment for your child, ensuring they are getting the best quality sleep possible.