Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but you should also consider the design too. A well-designed bed can make the small space appear bigger and less clutter-filled.

This model is ideal for smaller bedrooms. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's the easiest flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are scaled down versions of traditional cots however, they still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby requires. They are suitable from birth, or until your toddler is ready to transition to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models convert into an elegant sofa bed for use with older children as well.

Choose a model that can be easily dismantled and reassembled in case you want to store other baby things. You may also want to consider a cot that is compact bed that has 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 small cot beds and cribs roundup, so no matter if you have a small nursery or a spacious playroom there should be something to meet your needs. Many of the designs in our roundup include a fitted bed, making it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.

It is essential to measure the space available in your nursery prior to buying a crib. The gap between the bars should be no greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety purposes.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot which takes a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and comes with a beautiful sleigh style frame. It's built to last with a sturdy construction and quality materials, and it's easy to alter to your baby's needs as they grow. However, it's a much more expensive option than some of the other cots we've reviewed and you'll have to purchase a mattress separately if you choose this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a compact nursery, and it's our pick for the most value-for-money cot. It's loaded with extra features, including teething rails. There are two height positions which can be adjusted to fit your baby's growth. It's also easy to assemble. It includes a mattress, however, you'll need an additional one to convert it into a toddler.

Comfort

As a parent, you want your child to have an enjoyable, safe sleep environment and one of the most beneficial options to ensure a good night's sleep is to choose a small crib bed with a comfortable mattress. These mattresses are firmer than the traditional cot mattress, but soft enough to ensure your baby gets a good night sleep.

The cushioning of these mattresses helps in preventing heat retention, which can cause discomfort for certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of allergens chemical compounds and other substances that can cause irritation to the skin of your baby's.

These mattresses are a great alternative for back and side sleepers as they provide adequate support for neck, head and body. These mattresses can be used in conjunction with the built-in cradle that comes with a cot, which is helpful for colic or reflux.

It is crucial to measure the mattress size and ensure that it will fit in the base of the cot prior to purchasing a small cot. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, for instance a minimum thickness.

If you're in search of an cot that can expand with your child, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It is a cot that converts to an infant bed. This can save you the expense of buying an entirely new bed for your child when they are ready.

The simple configuration of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace noted that it "came out of the box and unfolded just like an outdoor chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds into itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It's also lightweight and compact and can easily fit into a carry bag that's slightly larger than a camp chair's case. It's ideal for transporting to grandparents' houses.

This cot is extremely comfy, despite being larger than other models in our tried and tested line-up. It's designed to feel as a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs weight without making your baby feel like they're in a bouncer. It's a sturdy, stable alternative for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers could be a bit uncomfortable with it.

Safety

It's vital to ensure that the cot bed you choose is safe for your baby. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into an infant bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the correct size for your nursery and has enough space to provide a safe sleeping environment for your child. It should be 140cm by 70cm and should not have gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is level and firm. It could pose a suffocation hazard if it is soft or worn out. Look for any sagging areas which could be hazardous and test how the mattress springs back when pressing down on it. If you press the middle of a good quality cot-mattress, it will feel solid.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, smudges and other things that could pose a choke risk. Babies should be able to move around easily and roll throughout their sleep, which is why it's important that the cot does not have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot features drop-sides, make sure you check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secured.

It's important to avoid placing a cot next to an open window or a radiator in case they become too hot or awake with sunburn. Also, keep your cot away from cords for curtain rods that hang from the wall, baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies can get caught by these cords, while older babies could climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the cot.

This cot is well worth the extra expense if you want an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. It's a bit time-consuming to put together but the directions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It's not expensive, but it'll last your child right into their toddler years and look great in any nursery.

Design

It's important to keep in mind that you'll be investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. In contrast to cribs, which are designed for a short period of time, cots can be used from the moment a child is born until they are able to safely transition to a toddler bed or kids single bed. Find a cot that has an adjustable base height to ensure it lasts. This feature lets you to lower the mattress's height to accommodate your child's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfy.

Another important feature to look out for is the ability to take sections of cot bars. This is a great way to give your child a sense of independence once they begin walking around, and can assist them in and out of their bed easily. To make it even more flexible, some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot Bed Cot can be transformed into a cozy sofa by taking the front off of the bed.

Many cots have slatted designs that are ideal for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a big difference in the quality of sleep and can help ensure that your baby enjoys a good sleep.

A small cot or bed is a fantastic investment for your baby's sleeping habits and security, and is an attractive design element to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots 4 tots and beds for you to pick from.

For each cot, there's an array of accessories like soft duvets and high-end bedding. This makes it simple to create a cozy and welcoming environment for your baby to get the best crib for newborn possible rest and ensures that they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.