Small Cot Beds: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but you should also consider the aesthetic too. A well-designed cot can make a room feel bigger and less cluttered.

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

Space-saving

Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots, however, they still offer all the comfort and safety features your baby requires. They can be used until your toddler is ready for an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models can be transformed into a stylish sofa bed for older children.

Look for a model which can be easily dismantled and reassembled in the event that you need to store other baby things. It is also possible to consider a compact cot bed with built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that combines an armoire as well as a changing unit and bench seat into a single piece of furniture.

There's a broad variety of sizes in our cots that are small and cribs roundup, so regardless of whether you have a tiny nursery or a spacious playroom there should be something to meet your needs. Many of the designs on our list come with an adjustable mattress which helps keep your baby's bedding clean and tidy.

It is crucial to determine the size of your nursery prior to purchasing a cot. The distance between the bars should be no greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.

Our real mothers loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot, which takes a standard 120 x 60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful frame that resembles a sleigh. It's built to last, with high-quality materials and a sturdy construction. It's also simple to adapt to your baby's increasing needs. However, it's a much more expensive option than some of the other cots and tots we've reviewed, and you'll need to buy a separate mattress if you choose this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the most value cot, is a ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It comes with a variety of extra features such as teething rails. There are two height positions that can be adjusted to suit the baby cots online's development. It's also easy to put together. It comes with a mattress, however, you'll need a second for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

As a parent you want your child to have a comfortable, safe sleeping environment. One of the most beneficial ways to ensure an adequate night's sleep is to pick a smaller crib bed with a comfortable mattress. These mattresses are firmer than the traditional cot mattress but are soft enough to ensure your baby gets a good night sleep.

The cushioning on these mattresses can also help to reduce heat retention, which can cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of allergens and chemicals, as well as other substances that could cause irritation to your baby's skin.

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

It is crucial to measure the mattress size and ensure that it fits in the base of the cot prior buying a cot that is small. You should also determine if there are any other specific rules and regulations to adhere to when purchasing a cot mattress, such as the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design from Vox is a great choice for parents who are looking for a cot that grows with their child. It's a cot that converts to an infant bed. This will save you the expense of buying a new bed for your child once they are ready.

The simple configuration of this cot beds for sale was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace stated that it "came out of the box and unfolded just like the back of a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds down, with no complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also light and compact, fitting neatly into a bag that's slightly bigger than a camp chair's case, and is ideal for taking it to grandparents' homes.

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

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby it's important to check that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. Check for the BS EN code or BS8509 in case you're planning to convert it into a toddler's bed. Check that it is appropriate for the nursery and provides enough space for your child to rest comfortably. It should be 140cm x 70cm, and not have any gaps around the corners or edges.

Make sure the mattress is firm and sits flat in the cot. It could pose dangerous to suffocate if it is soft, old, or damaged. Test the mattress to see if it springs back quickly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it will feel solid.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, smudges and other items that could pose a choke hazard. Babies should be able to move easily and roll over in their sleep, so it's important that the cot does not have raised corners or cut-outs could be used as footholds to climb out. If your cot has drop-sides, make sure you check it often to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

It's important to avoid placing a cot close to an open window or a radiator because they may get too hot or get sunburned upon waking up. 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 that have long cords. Babies can get caught by these cords, while older babies could pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.

For Scandi style and a premium finish the cot is worth the investment over other cheaper options. It's a bit laborious to assemble however the instructions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not cheap but it will last into their toddler years.

Design

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's important to remember that you're likely purchasing something that will last for years. In contrast to cribs that are used for a limited period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until a child is able to safely transition into the toddler or single bed. To ensure the cot you purchase will last, look for a design with adjustable base heights. This feature allows you to lower the mattress's height as your child grows, ensuring they stay in a safe and comfortable position for longer.

A useful design feature is the ability to take out cot bars in sections. This is a great way to give your little one a feeling of independence when they begin to walking around, and can assist them in and out of their bed with ease. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa by taking out the front.

The slatted design of many cribs is a good option for small spaces, too, as it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This makes a large difference in comfort and can make the difference to ensure that your child gets a restful night's sleep.

A small cot, or the cot-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby’s security and sleeping habits. It can also be an ideal addition to any nursery. With so many styles to pick from, it's worth taking the time to look through the entire selection of cots and beds on offer at Cuckooland to find one that's perfect for you.

There's also a range of accessories, such as baby bumpers, soft duvets, and premium bed linen, are available for every crib to make it look more complete. This allows you to create an inviting and cozy environment for your baby, ensuring they are getting the best quality sleep possible.