Buying Small Cot Beds
When shopping for a small cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but you should also consider the aesthetics too. A well-designed bed can make smaller rooms appear larger and less clutter-filled.
Baby Cot Bed -style and surprisingly lightweight This model is an excellent option for smaller bedrooms. It's also the most simple flatpack to put together.
Space-saving
Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots, but still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby requires. They can be used from birth or until your toddler is ready to transition to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be turned into a stylish sofa bed to use with older kids.
Look for a model which can be easily dismantled, then reassembled in case you want to store other baby items. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that includes a changing unit, chest of drawers and bench seats into one piece of furniture.
There is a wide variety of sizes in our cots for small spaces and cribs roundup which means that regardless of whether you have a tiny nursery or a large playroom, there's something to meet your needs. Many of the designs featured in our roundup come with a fitted bed, making it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.
When choosing a cot, it is essential to determine the size of your nursery. You should also check the dimensions to ensure it's appropriate before you purchase. You should also look at the gap between the bars, as it should not be more than 6.5cm to ensure safety.
Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which can fit an average 120 x 60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful frame that resembles a sleigh. It's built to last, with a sturdy build and high-quality materials, and is easy to adjust as your child grows. It's more expensive than the other cots in our list and you will need to purchase a separate mattress.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a smaller nursery and it's our pick for the most affordable cots. It's packed full of additional features like teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's super-easy to put together too. It comes with a mattress, but you'll need to buy an additional one to convert it into a toddler.
Comfort
Choose a small cot with an easy mattress. This will help your baby sleep comfortably. They are designed to be more firm than the traditional cot mattress but still soft enough to ensure that your child will have the rest of the night.
They are cushioned to reduce heat retention which can cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of chemicals and irritants to ensure that they don't irritate your baby's sensitive skin.
Typically, these kinds of mattresses are a great choice for side and back sleepers, as they provide great support for neck and head as well as body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling, which parents have found to be beneficial for reflux and colic.
It is essential to determine the size of the mattress and ensure that it can fit into the base of the cot prior to purchasing a small cot. Find out if the cot mattress is subject to any specific rules or regulations, such as the minimum thickness.
The adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents who are looking for an cot that can grow with their child. It's a cot which transforms into a toddler bed. This will save you the expense of buying an entirely new bed for your child when they are ready.
The simple configuration of this cot was 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 up, with no complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also compact and lightweight and fits neatly into a bag that's smaller than a camping chair's case. It's ideal for transporting to grandparents' houses.
This cot is extremely comfy despite being bigger than other models in our tried-and tested range. It's made to feel like an actual mattress and has plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're bouncing around in a bouncer. It's a solid, stable option for side and back sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers might be a bit uncomfortable with it.
Safety
To ensure the safety of your baby it is essential to ensure whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to meet. You should look for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into a toddler bed. Also, make sure it's the right size for your nursery and has enough space for a secure sleeping environment for your child. It should be at minimum 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.
Make sure that the mattress is firm and sits flat in the cot. If it's old, soft or damaged, this can cause suffocation. Examine the mattress to determine if it springs back quickly after pressing. A high-quality cot mattress should feel firm and flat when you press it down on the middle of it.
Keep the cot clear of any toys, stickers, and anything else which could be a danger to choking. Babies must be able to move around easily and roll in their sleep, so it's important that the cot doesn't have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop side be sure to check it regularly to ensure the mechanism locks securely.
Do not place a cot next to the heat source or a sunny window. It is possible that they will become too hot or wake up with sunburn. Keep mini cotbed from cords on wall mounted curtains, baby monitor cables, and other decorative items that have long cords. These cords can strangle babies and older children may reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.
This cot is well worth the extra expense if you want the Scandi style and a top quality finish. The instructions are easy to follow, and the wood feels solid. It takes a while to put together. It's not expensive, but it will last your child through their toddler years.
Design
It's important to consider that you're likely to invest in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. In contrast to cribs, which are used only for a short period of time, cots are suitable from the moment a child is born until they can safely transition to an adult bed or a single bed. Look for a cot with an adjustable height base to ensure it lasts. This feature lets you lower the mattress in height to suit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfortable.
One of the most useful features of the design is the ability to take out the cot bars into sections. This is an excellent way to provide your little one a feeling of independence when they begin to toddle, and will aid them in getting into and out of their bed quickly. For more flexibility, some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can also be converted into a cozy sofa by removing the front of the bed.
The slatted design of a lot of cots is an excellent choice for a small space, too, as it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This is a significant difference in comfort and can make the difference to ensure that your baby has a good night's sleep.
A small cot or bed is a fantastic investment for your baby's sleep habits and security, and is an excellent addition to any nursery setting. Cuckooland offers a variety of cots and beds to pick from.
For each cot, there's a variety of accessories such as soft duvets, plus premium bed linen. This allows you to create a welcoming and cosy environment for your baby, making sure they are getting the best quality sleep possible.