How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK

Silver Cross’ cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it an excellent accessory to any nursery. It is also kept tidy with a drawer and a handy anti bite plastic strip on the top rails.

If your baby is a fussy sleeper, this smart crib might be the solution. It responds to their cries by making soothing sounds that mimic the baby’s womb.

Size

A cot that is of high quality is the ideal size to give your baby enough room to grow without overtaking the nursery. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm by 140cm. This should be adequate to accommodate most infants until they are around three years of age. Some cots may have curved edges or other features that can affect the fit of a mattress. It is therefore important to double check your cot’s footprint prior to purchasing.

You can find cots at a wide range of retailers, including Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers offer an exchange policy so that you can swap out a cot that doesn’t fit your requirements. It’s also worth shopping online, as you can gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot and the way it will look in your nursery.

If you’re looking for the best cots Uk crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. The sale cot will listen to your baby’s crying and gently rock them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology helps your baby cots online get a great night’s rest. It can be placed in any cot or crib. It’s ideal for babies who suffer from breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It can also track their sleep cycles to help you better understand your child’s habits.

Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great option. This cot that is minimalistic, made from solid beech, features an easily removed panel that can transform it into a bed for toddlers. It comes with a variety mattresses, so you can alter the height of your child’s sleeping space to meet their requirements. It’s a great option for smaller bedrooms or those with ceilings that slope. Our panel was also easy to assemble.

Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis’ Anyday collection. It’s available in a variety of finishes, from white to dark slate grey, and can be used from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress options that allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a Toddler Bed by removing the side panels and adding a footboard. The crib comes with a mattress and is FSC certified.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an important part of the nursery of your baby’s but they have to be safe too. Find a cot that has the code BS EN 716 and that is certified to meet British safety standards. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers that aren’t recommended by the Lullaby Trust.

If buying a secondhand cot, make sure it’s not too old as paint can contain lead that is toxic to babies. Look for indications of wear and tear, especially on the sides where a child might rub their hands, since this could cause irritation to the skin. Also, it’s worth checking for any stickers or transfers as these can peel off and present a choking hazard to your baby.

Some cots come with additional features such as teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mum test subjects particularly liked this model from John Lewis which is both stylish and practical. It’s easy to assemble, and all the pieces are alphabetized,” she said. She added that it was also one of the easiest cribs to convert into a toddler bed. The cot has an organizer that can be used to keep the nursery neat. It also comes with three heights that can be adjusted that allow you to make it suitable for your growing baby.

The depth of the cot is a further important consideration. Choose a cot which is at a minimum 50cm deep in order to stop your child from climbing out as they become more mobile. It is also worth considering the type of mattress you’ll require, as there are a variety of options out available from foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you’re considering buying a new cot you might think about a cot mattress protector to guard against spills or stains. It’s worth hiring an expert to assess the safety of an old cot and fix any damage. This will usually cost about PS100 but it’s worth it to have peace of mind.

Style

When buying for a child it’s easy to become engrossed in safety and specs. However, don’t forget about style. It’s important to choose the right cot for your baby’s nursery and your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds are available in different colourways and designs that look great with any nursery furniture or interiors that you’ve selected for your baby’s initial bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib could be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a practical feature which made it a top pick on our panel, and teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. Our testers also loved that the cot was easy to construct, even though it comes in a flatpack, complete with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.

Another alternative for a stylish cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi style with the practicality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child is five years of age, at which point it could be converted into a toddler bed with the removal of a side. Its sleek oval design and quality construction impressed our testers however, the price could be a concern for some.

If you select an item with bars that are too close, your baby could become trapped or choke. It is also important to ensure that the drop-side mechanism operates well and efficiently, and can’t be easily lowered by your child. If you choose a model with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke. Additionally, you should also check that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and effectively and isn’t easily lifted by your child.

If you’re purchasing a cot that can be converted into a mattress, be sure it is compliant with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which include an anti-bite strip that is placed on the top of the bars. This information is typically included in the product description of cots or cot beds, however, you can also look it up on the website of the seller.

Convertibility

You might want your cot to last a long time and some models are designed to do just that. Most popular cots can be converted into toddler beds or sofas. This lets you keep using it after the infant stage. They cost more as they have to support the weight of a child for a longer period of time. However, they are a great investment if you are planning to use them long after your baby is developed.

A cot is among the most crucial purchases you’ll make for your new baby It is crucial to ensure it is in compliance with the strict UK safety standards. Check the BS EN code on the product’s page to confirm. Also, ensure that the base is fully slatted with no gaps at all sides. If it isn’t then you’ll need to purchase a separate mattress.

Some cots are also equipped with extra features like a storage drawer and teething rails, which can help you save space and make your parenting life easier. Others are easy to assemble which is ideal when you’re in a hurry or are worried about putting it together. One of our mom testers gave the John Lewis cot-bed as ‘easiest to put together flatpack’. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.

The Boori cot is a different alternative. It has a classic look and comes in a variety of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It can be converted into a toddler bed by removing one side of the cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot by the addition a footboard. It’s also available in a variety of sizes to match your room, and one of our test parents stated that hers had lasted through three children.

Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to transform it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for babies and can be converted into a toddler bed with the addition of a side, and it can be converted to a junior bed when your child is ready. It’s also a top choice for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.