Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed It's easy to get caught up on the specs and safety features, but you should also consider the aesthetics too. A well-designed cot can make the space appear larger and less cluttered.

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

Space-saving

Cot beds are scaled down versions of traditional cots but they still have all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models can be converted into an elegant sofa bed for use with older children as well.

To maximize your space, look for the right model that will fit with your existing bedroom furniture or one that you can easily disassemble and reassemble when you want to make room for other baby objects. Consider a cot-bed that is compact with built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that combines the changing unit with a chest of drawers, a changing table and a benches into one piece of furniture.

There is a wide selection of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup, so whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's a bed that will meet your needs. A majority of the designs that we have listed come with a fitted mattress that helps keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

It is essential to measure the space available in your nursery prior to purchasing a cot. Also, you should consider the space between the bars since this needs to be no more than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a crib that accommodates a 120x60cm standard mattress and has stunning sleigh-style frames. It's built to last with quality materials and a sturdy structure. It's also simple to adapt to your child's growing needs. It is more expensive than other cribs on our list, and you'll have to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a compact nursery, and is our choice of the most affordable cot. It's packed full of additional features like teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows. It's also incredibly simple 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 help your baby sleep comfortably. They are designed to be more firm than traditional cot mattresses but still soft enough that your baby will enjoy the rest of the night.

These mattresses are cushioned to prevent heat retention which can cause discomfort in certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are also free of chemicals and irritants to ensure that they don't irritate your baby's sensitive skin.

These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers as they provide excellent support for the head, neck and body. They can be used in conjunction with the built-in cradle in a cot, which is helpful for colic or reflux.

It is crucial to measure the mattress size and ensure that it fits in the base of the cot before purchasing a small cot. You should also determine whether there are specific rules and regulations to adhere to when purchasing the mattress for a cot like the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design by Vox is a great choice for parents who are looking for an cot that can grow with their child. It is a cot that converts to a toddler bed. This saves you the expense of purchasing a new bed for your child once they are ready.

Our panel of testers enjoyed the cot's simple setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and unfolded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds up, with no complicated mechanisms to handle. It's also small and lightweight, fitting into a carry case that is larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting the cot to grandparents' homes.

This cot is extremely comfortable despite its size being higher than other models from our tried-and tested collection. It is designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that can absorb the weight without making your child feel as if they're in the bouncer. It's a sturdy, stable option for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers could have issues with it.

Safety

For your baby's safety, it's essential to verify whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to comply with. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into a toddler bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and has enough room for a safe sleeping environment for your child. It should be at minimum 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is firm and laid flat in the cot. If it's a bit soft, old or damaged, it could create a risk of suffocation. Check for any areas of sagging that could be dangerous, and test to see how the mattress springs back after pressing down on it. If you press the middle of a quality cot-mattress it should feel solid.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, smudges and anything else that could pose a choke danger. It's important that babies can be able to move around freely and rotate during sleep. If your cot has a drop side, inspect it regularly to ensure the mechanism locks securely.

Avoid placing the cot for sale next to an open radiator or a sunny window. It could become too warm or wake up with sunburn. Keep the cot far away from wall mounted curtains as well as baby monitor cables and other accessories with long cords. These cords can strangle babies and older children might reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.

For Scandi style and a premium finish the cot is worth the investment over the cheaper alternatives. The instructions are easy to follow and the wood is sturdy. It takes time to put together. It's not expensive, but it'll last your child right into their toddler years and will look stunning in any nursery.

Design

It's important to consider that you'll be investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. Unlike cribs which are used only for a short period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until the time a child is old enough to safely transition into a toddler or a single bed. To ensure that the cot you buy will last, look out for a model that has adjustable heights for the base. This feature allows you to lower the mattress in height as your child grows, making sure they are in a safe and comfortable position for longer.

Another important feature to look out for is the capability to take sections of the cot bars. This is a great way to give your baby a sense of independence once they start toddle, and will assist them in and out of their bed quickly. Some cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa simply by removing the front.

Many cots have slatted designs that are ideal for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant cot bed. This makes a large difference when it comes to comfort and can make the difference to ensure that your cheap baby cots for sale has a restful night's sleep.

A small cot or cot bed is a fantastic investment for your baby's sleep habits and security, and is an attractive accessory to any nursery. With so many designs available to pick from, it's worth the effort to browse the full selection of cots and cots that are available at Cuckooland to find the style that suits you.

For each cot, you'll find various accessories like soft duvets, plus premium bedding. This makes it easy to create a cozy and welcoming environment for your baby to enjoy the best sleep possible and ensures that they are enjoying every aspect of their new home.