Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to focus on the safety and spec features when looking for a smaller bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed cot will make your room appear bigger and less cluttered.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight this model is an excellent choice for smaller bedrooms. It's also the most simple flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots however, they still offer all the comfort and safety features your baby requires. They are suitable from birth, or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be transformed into a stylish couch bed for older kids.

Find a product that can be easily dismantled, then reassembled in case you want to make space for other baby items. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multi-functional design that includes a changing unit with a chest of drawers, a changing table and a benches into one piece of furniture.

There's a broad variety of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup and, therefore, no matter if you have a small nursery or a spacious playroom there's a bed that will suit your space. Many of the designs in our roundup include an adjustable bed, making it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.

When you are choosing a cot it is important to take measurements of the space in your nursery. You should also check the dimensions to make sure it will fit before you purchase. The distance between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety purposes.

Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which can fit an average 120x60cm mattress and features a gorgeous sleigh-style frame. It is built to last, with high-quality materials and sturdy construction. It is also easy to adapt to your child's changing requirements. It's more expensive than other cots in our list and you'll need to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot, which we consider to be the best cots uk value cot, is another excellent option for a small nursery. It's packed full of extra features including teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together too. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be needed for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

As a parent you want your child to have an enjoyable, safe sleep environment. One of the most beneficial ways to ensure they get an adequate night's sleep is to choose a small cot bed that has a comfortable mattress. They are more firm than the traditional cot mattress however they are soft enough to ensure that your baby gets a good night's sleep.

These mattresses are cushioned to reduce the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used on the mattress are free of irritants and chemical to ensure that they don't irritate your baby's delicate skin.

These mattresses are a great crib option for side and back sleepers as they provide adequate support for the head, neck and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built-in cradling, which many parents find to be helpful in cases of colic and reflux.

It is crucial to measure the mattress size and ensure that it can fit into the base of the cot before purchasing a small cot. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, like the minimum thickness.

If you're looking for an cot that can grow with your child and be able to adapt, you should consider this design from Vox. It is initially a cot and then converts into an infant bed, saving you from the expense of buying another bed when your baby is ready to use it.

The simple configuration of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace stated that it "came out of the box and folded like an outdoor chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds up, with no complicated mechanisms to handle. It's also compact and light, fitting in a carry case that is larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it perfect for transporting the mini cot beds to grandparents' homes.

Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried-and-tested line-up, this cot is extremely comfortable. It's designed to feel as a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're in a bouncer. It's a stable, solid alternative for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers could be a bit uncomfortable with it.

Safety

For your baby's safety, it's important to check that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to meet. Look for the BS EN code or BS8509 if you want to convert it into a toddler's bed. Check that it is the correct size for your nursery and provides enough space for your child to sleep safely. It should be 140cm by 70cm and should not have gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is firm and sits flat inside the cot. It could be a suffocation hazard if it is soft or old, or damaged. Check the mattress to see whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it will feel firm.

Make sure the cot is free of any toys, stickers and other things that could pose a choking hazard. Babies should be able to move around easily and roll throughout their sleep, which is why it's essential that the cot doesn't have raised corners or cut-outs could be used as footholds to climb out. If your cot is equipped with a drop-side, check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secure.

It's also a good idea to avoid placing a cot next to the sun or a radiator in case they get too hot or awake with sunburn. It is also important to keep the cot away from cords for curtains that are mounted on the wall or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative accessories with long cords. These cords can strangle babies and older children may reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.

This cot is well worth the extra expense if you want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. The instructions are easy to follow and the wood feels solid. It takes time to put together. It's not cheap, but it will last into their toddler years.

Design

When you're looking for a small cot bed, it's crucial to remember that you're likely investing in an item that will last for a long time. In contrast to cribs that are used for a limited period of time, best cots uk and 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're buying will last, search for a model with adjustable base heights. This feature allows you lower the mattress height to accommodate your child's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfy.

A great design feature is the capability to remove cot bars in sections. This will provide your child with a sense of independence when they begin to crawl and make it easier to help them get into and out of bed. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa by taking out the front.

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 in the quality of sleep and help ensure that your baby has a good sleep.

A small cot or bed is an excellent investment in your baby's sleeping habits and safety, and can be an attractive addition to any nursery setting. With so many designs available to pick from, it's always worth taking the time to explore the wide range of cots and beds that are available at Cuckooland to find a style that is suitable for your needs.

There's also an array of accessories, such as baby bumpers and soft duvets made of top quality bed linen, are available for each cot to complete the look. This allows you to create an inviting and cozy environment for your baby, making sure they have the best cots uk sleep possible.