How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is elegant and sleek thanks to its minimalist design. The warm oak finish makes it a great accessory to any nursery. A drawer and a handy anti-bite plastic strip on its top rails help keep it neat too.
If your child is a grumpy sleeper, this smart crib might be the solution. It responds to their cries with soft sounds that mimic the womb.
Size
A good cot size balances giving your baby the space to grow, and not overwhelming the nursery with a huge bed. The standard UK cot mattress size is 70cm x 140cm which is enough for most babies between three and four years old. However, some cots come with curves or other features that could result in issues with the fit of a mattress, therefore it is important to check the footprint of your cot prior to making a purchase.
There are many retailers on the high street where you can browse the wide selection of cots, including Dunelm and Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, which means you can return the cot if it does not meet your needs. It's also worth shopping online, since you can get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot and how it will appear in your nursery.
If you're looking for a top-notch cot, try the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot monitors your baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve a restful sleep, and it can be used with any crib or cot. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or who have breathing issues and can also monitor their sleep patterns and help you understand the routines of your little one.
Another alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This cot that is minimalistic, made of solid beech, comes with an adjustable panel that can transform it into a bed for toddlers. It also offers a wide range of mattress bases which means you can alter the height of your child's sleeping area as they grow. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to put together.
The Elementary cot, which is part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It comes in a range of finishes from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth up until your child is four. It has three mattress settings 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 cot is also FSC certified and includes a mattress.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are a crucial part of the nursery of your baby's but they have to be safe as well. Choose an cot that has been certified to meet British safety standards and carries the code BS EN 716. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress, and not be filled with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If you're buying a used cot, be sure to determine the age of it. Lead paint can be poisonous for infants. Check for signs that the cot was used, particularly around the sides, where a child might rub their hands. This can cause irritation to the skin. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that might be removed, posing the risk of choking your child.
Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum testers was extremely pleased with this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's really easy to put together, with all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, adding that it is also one of the easiest cots available to transform into the toddler bed. It also comes with an optional drawer to help you keep the nursery clean and comes with three adjustable heights that allow you to use it as your baby grows.
Another consideration is the depth of the cot. You should look for a cot with at least 50cm of depth to prevent your child from climbing the cot when they become more mobile. It is also important to consider the type of mattress you'll need, as there are a myriad of options there from foam and spring interiors to natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. If you're looking to purchase a new cot you might be interested in a mattress protector to protect against stains or spills. It's a good idea to hire an expert to examine the safety of your used cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost around PS100 but it's well worth the investment to have peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child, it's easy to be engrossed in the safety and specifications. But don't overlook the style. It's important to choose a cot that matches your baby's nursery and your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds come in a variety of colors and designs that look great with any nursery furniture or interiors you've chosen for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great example of how stylish a cot could be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a useful feature that helped it score high marks with our panel, while teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as useful as it is stylish. Our testers also loved that the cot was easy to construct and was delivered in a flatpack, complete with labelled parts and simple instructions.
Another alternative for an elegant cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi style with the practicality of a cot that can 'grow' with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child turns five years old. older, at which point it can be converted into a toddler bed by the removal of the side. Our test subjects were awed by its quality construction and smooth oval finish but it may be a little too pricey for some.
If you select an item with bars that are too close together your baby may become trapped or choke. It is also important to make sure the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you select a cot with bars that are too closely separated, your baby could be trapped or choke. You should also make sure that the mechanism for dropping is reliable and does not let your child lower it.
You should also ensure that the cot you buy conforms to UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and when it transforms into a bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip across 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
Some models are built to last for many years. The most well-known converts into toddler beds, and sometimes even sofas, allowing you to use them past the infant stage. These tend to cost more as they need to hold the weight of the larger child for a longer period, however, they can offer excellent value for your money if you are planning to use them until your child is older.
A cot is also one of the most crucial purchases you'll make for your new arrival, and it's vital to ensure that it complies with strict UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's page to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that's completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in any of the sides. If it doesn't then you'll have to purchase a new bed mattress.
Some cots are also equipped with extra features like teething rails, which can help reduce space and make parenting life simpler. Some cots are simple put together, which is a great benefit if you're short on time or are concerned about putting them together yourself. One of our mum test subjects has rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.
Another option is the stunning Boori cot, which is a timeless design and comes in an array of finishes to match your nursery. It can be converted into a toddler bed, by removing one side of the cot. Then, it can be transformed into a junior cot by the addition of a footboard. It comes in different sizes that can be adapted to your space. One of our test subjects said hers lasted through three kids.
best cots is another great option. It is a modular design which allows it to be adapted into different configurations. The mini model can be used from birth and with the addition of an additional side, it can be converted into a toddler's bed. When your child reaches an older age, you can upgrade to an adult bed. It's also a top choice for aesthetics and style, thanks to our panel that loves natural finish and smooth oval shape.