Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to get caught up in the safety and spec features when looking for a smaller bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed cot can help make a room feel bigger and less clutter-filled.

This model is ideal for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's light and stroller-style. It's the most simple flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots, however, they still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby needs. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models convert to an elegant sofa bed for use with older children as well.

Find a product that can be easily dismantled and rebuilt when you need to make space for other baby things. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines the changing unit as well as a chest of drawers and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

There's a broad range of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup which means that regardless of whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's something to fit your space. Many of the designs in our roundup come with a fitted bed, making it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.

It's important that you determine the size of your nursery prior to buying a crib. Also, you should consider the gap between the bars as this should not be greater than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a crib that accommodates a 120x60cm standard mattress and features stunning sleigh-style frames. It's built to last with a solid construction and high-quality materials, and it's easy to alter as your child grows. However, it's a much more expensive option than the other cots we've reviewed and you'll have to purchase a mattress if you choose this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin sale cot is a great option for a smaller nursery and it's our pick for the best value cots. It's loaded with extra features that include teething rails. There are two height positions which can be adjusted to fit the growth of your baby. It is also super easy to put together. It includes a mattress, however, you'll need an additional one for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Select a cot that is small and has a comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep comfortably. These are designed to be firmer than traditional cot mattresses but still soft enough that your child will have a good night's rest.

These mattresses are cushioned to help prevent the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort in certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of irritants and chemicals, as well as other substances that could cause irritation to your baby's skin.

These mattresses are a good cribs option for side and back sleepers, as they offer good support for neck, head and body. They can also be used with the cot's built in cradling feature, which parents have found to be helpful in cases of reflux and colic.

When choosing a small mattress cot bed that has cushions, it's important to check the dimensions of the mattress as well as whether it will fit inside the cot's base. It is also possible to determine if there are any other specific rules and regulations you need to follow when purchasing the mattress for a cot, such as the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents who want an cot that can grow with their child. It is initially a cot but can later be transformed into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from the expense of buying a new bed when your baby is ready to use it.

The easy-to-use setup of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace said that it "came out of the box and was unfolded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place and the cot then collapses over itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also compact and lightweight and fits neatly into a bag that's smaller than a camping chair's case and ideal for transporting to grandparents' houses.

The cot is extremely comfortable, despite being larger than the other models in our tried-and-tested range. It's designed to feel like an actual mattress with plenty of padding and a springy base that can absorb weight without making your baby feel like they're in the bouncer. It's also a solid and stable choice for back and side sleepers but the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.

Safety

It's vital to ensure that the cot you pick is safe for your child. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into an infant bed. Also, make sure it's the correct size for your nursery and offers enough space for a secure sleep for your baby. It should measure 140cm by 70cm and should not have gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is firm and laid flat inside the cot. If it's soft, old or damaged, it could cause suffocation. Examine the mattress to determine whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press down on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress it should feel solid.

Keep the cot free of any toys, stickers and other things that could pose a choking risk. It's important that babies can be able to move around freely and rotate as they sleep. If your cot is equipped with drop-sides, be sure to check them frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secured.

It's also a good idea to avoid placing a cot near an open window or a radiator in case they get too hot or wake up with a sunburn. You should also keep the cot away from wall mounted curtain cords or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies can be strangled by these cords, and older children could pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.

For Scandi style and a top ranked cribs-quality finish the cot is worth the extra investment over cheaper alternatives. The instructions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It takes a while to assemble. It's not cheap but it will last your child until they reach the age of toddlers.

Design

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's crucial to keep in mind that you're purchasing something that will last for years. In contrast to cribs that are used only for a short period of time, cots and 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 the cot you buy will last, search for a design with adjustable base heights. This feature lets you lower the mattress height to accommodate your child's growing needs, while keeping them secure and comfortable.

Another important feature to keep an eye out for is the capability to remove sections of cot bars. This will provide your child with an impression of independence once they begin to play and make it easier for them to get into and out of bed. For more flexibility the cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a comfortable sofa by removing the front of the bed.

The slatted design of a lot of cribs is a good option for a small space, in addition, it assists air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This makes a large difference when it comes to comfort and can make all the difference in trying to ensure that your baby has an adequate night's rest.

A small cot or cot bed is a great investment in your baby's sleeping habits and security, and is an attractive accessory to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to choose from.

For each cot, there's an array of accessories, including soft duvets, plus premium bed linen. This allows you to create an inviting and comfortable environment for your child, ensuring they get the best cots rest possible.