How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek thanks to its minimalist design. The warm oak finish makes it a great accessory to any nursery. It's also tidy with a drawer as well as a handy anti-bite plastic strip that runs across the top rails.
This crib is the solution for your child who is fussy. It is able to respond with soothing sounds that mimic the sound of a baby's womb.
Size
A cot that is suitable for your child is the perfect size to provide your baby with enough room to grow without overtaking the nursery. The standard UK mattress for cots is 70cm x 140cm, that should be enough for babies between three and four years old. Some cots could have curving edges or other features that can impact the size of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to check the cot's footprint prior to purchasing.
There are plenty of stores on the high street where you can check out an array of cots. Some include Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers offer an exchange policy so that you can exchange a cot that doesn't fit your needs. It's also worth shopping online, as you can gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot and how it will look in your nursery.
If you are looking for a high-quality cot, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. This cot can monitor your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, emulating 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 perfect for babies who have breathing issues or are irritable newborns. It can also track their sleep cycles to help you better know your child's behavior.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. This cot that is minimalistic, made of solid beech, comes with a removable panel that can be transformed into a bed for toddlers. It also has an impressive range of mattress base positions, meaning you can customize the level of your child's sleeping area as they grow. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to put together.
The Elementary cot, part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It is available in a variety of finishes, ranging 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 height settings, which will help you easily reach your baby and it can be transformed into an infant bed by removing the sides and putting in the footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and comes with a mattress included.
Safety
Cots and cots are essential for the nursery of your baby however, they must be safe. Choose a cot that is marked with the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified to meet British safety standards. It should have a flat, firm mattress, and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended.
If buying a secondhand cot, ensure it's not too old as paint may contain lead, which is harmful to babies. Look for indications that the cot was used, particularly around the sides, where children may rub their hands. This could cause skin irritation. Examine any stickers or transfers that could be removed, posing a choking risk to your baby.
Some cots have extra features such as teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mom testers praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's really easy to put together, and has all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, noting that it's one of the most simple cots available to convert into an infant bed. The cot comes with an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also comes with three heights that can be adjusted which means you can use it to accommodate your growing child.
The depth of the cot is another important consideration. You should look for an cot that has a minimum depth of 50cm to prevent your child from climbing up the cot when they become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the kind of mattress you'll need, as there are many choices out available, including foam and spring interiors to natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. You might also consider buying a cot protector to shield the mattress from stains and spills in the event that you decide to purchase a new cot. If you're purchasing a secondhand cot, you should consider hiring a professional to assess its safety and repair any damage. This will usually cost around PS100 but it's well worth the investment to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
It's easy to get caught up on safety and spec when shopping for a baby, but don't forget about the design. It's important to choose the right cot for your baby's nursery as well as your decor. Numerous cots and bed are available in different colours and designs to complement the furniture and interiors of your nursery you decide to put in your baby's bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a fantastic illustration of how stylish a cot could be. The drawer under the bed is a useful feature that made it a top pick with our panel. Likewise, teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. best crib newborn is easy to put together, even though it comes flat-packed, with simple instructions and labelled parts.
Another option 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 as a cot right from birth until the time your child reaches the age of five, when it can be converted into a toddler's bed by cutting off a corner. Its smooth oval finish and sturdy construction impressed our testers, but the price tag could be a concern for some.
A cot is a safe and secure place for your baby to sleep throughout the day and at night however it is essential to go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them with care to ensure your baby is snug and secure. If you select a model with bars that are too close, your baby could become trapped or choke, and it is important to ensure that the mechanism for dropping works smoothly and effectively and cannot be easily lifted by your child.
If you are buying a cot that converts into a mattress, make sure it complies with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which have an anti-bite strip on the top of the bars. Most cots and cot beds will have this information in the product description or on their website, but if you have any concerns it's a good idea to speak with the seller to confirm.
Convertibility
You may want your cot to last for a long time and some models are designed to accomplish that. The most popular models convert into toddler beds, and sometimes even sofas which allows you to use them past the infant stage. best crib newborn tend to be more expensive because they have to support the weight of a larger child for a longer period of time, however, they can offer excellent value for the money if you plan to continue using them once your baby has grown.
A cot is also one of the most crucial purchases you will make for your new arrival, and it's vital to ensure it is in compliance with the strict UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the product's page to confirm. Also, ensure the base is completely slatted with no gaps at all sides. If it does not you'll have to purchase a separate mattress.
Some cots come with additional features like rails for teething. They can save space and make life easier for parents. Others are easy to assemble, which is perfect when you're in a hurry or are worried about putting it together yourself. One of our mum testers has rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.
Another option is the beautiful Boori cot, which is an elegant design and is available with a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be turned into a toddler bed, by taking one side off the cot. Then it can be converted into a junior cot with the addition a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to match your space, and one of our test parents stated that hers had lasted through three children.
Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an open design that allows you to expand it into different configurations. The mini model is suitable for babies and can be converted into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and it can be converted it can be converted into a junior bed once your child is ready for it. It's also a top pick for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.