Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed it's easy to get caught up on the specifications and safety features, but take into account the aesthetics too. A well-designed bed can help make smaller rooms appear larger and less overwhelmed.

This model is ideal for bedrooms with small spaces. It's light and stroller-style. It's the most recommended cribs simple flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots that still have all the safety and comfort features your baby requires. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models convert to an elegant sofa bed for use with older children as well.

To help you maximize your space, consider an item that is compatible with your existing furniture in the bedroom or one that you can easily take apart and put up again when you want to put in other baby things. Consider a compact cot-bed with built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines the changing unit with a chest of drawers, a changing table and a bench seat in one piece of furniture.

Our selection of small cots and cribs includes a variety of sizes, so there's something to suit every space. A lot of the cribs on our list come with mattresses that are fitted, which makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

When you are choosing a cot it is important to determine the size of your nursery and check the dimensions to ensure it's suitable before making your purchase. Also, you should consider the gap between the bars, as this should not be more than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Our real moms loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot which takes a standard 120 x 60cm mattress and is fitted with a gorgeous sleigh-style frame. It's constructed to last using high-quality materials and a sturdy construction. It's also easy to adjust to your baby's increasing requirements. It's more expensive than other cots we've reviewed, and you'll have to purchase a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a small nursery, and is our choice of the most affordable cot. It's packed full of extra features, including teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's super-easy to put together too. It includes a mattress but you'll need to buy an additional one for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Choose a small cot with a comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep comfortably. They are more firm than traditional cot mattresses, but soft enough to ensure your child gets a good night's rest.

These mattresses are cushioned to reduce the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort in certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants and chemicals, as well as other substances that could cause irritation to your baby's skin.

These mattresses are a great option for back and side sleepers, as they offer adequate support for the neck, head and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built in cradling feature, which many parents find to be beneficial for colic and reflux.

It is crucial to measure the mattress size and ensure that it fits in the base of the cot before buying a cot that is small. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, like a minimum thickness.

This adaptable design from Vox is a great choice for parents who are looking for a cot that grows with their child. It's initially a cot but can later be transformed into an infant bed, saving you from having to buy another bed when your baby is ready for it.

Our panel of testers loved this cot's easy setup The mom 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 down without a complicated mechanism to handle. It's also lightweight and compact, fitting neatly into a bag that's slightly bigger than a camp chair's case and ideal for transporting to the grandparents' homes.

The cot is extremely comfortable despite being bigger than the other models in our tried and tested line-up. It's made to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs the weight but doesn't make your child feel like they're bouncing around in a bouncer. It's a solid, stable alternative for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers may have issues with it.

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby, it's important to check that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. Check for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you're looking to transform it into a toddler's bed. You should also check that it's the right size for your nursery and has enough room for a safe sleep for your baby. It should be at least 140cm by 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is flat and firm. It could pose an entrapment hazard in the event that it is soft, old, or damaged. Examine the mattress to determine whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press down on the middle of a quality cot-mattress it should feel solid.

Keep the cot free of toys, smudges and other things that could pose a choke danger. It's important that babies can be able to move around freely and rotate while they sleep. If your cot is equipped with drop-sides, make sure you check it often to ensure that the mechanism is secure.

It's also a good idea to avoid placing a cot close to an open window or a radiator in case they get too hot or get sunburned upon waking up. It is also important to keep your cot away from wall mounted curtain cords, baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, while older children could pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the cot.

For Scandi style and a high-quality finish the cot is worth the extra investment over other cheaper options. It's a bit time-consuming to put together but the directions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not cheap but it'll last until their toddler years and look stunning in any nursery.

Design

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's important to remember that you're likely purchasing an item that will last for a long time. Contrary to cribs that are designed for a brief period of time, cots are appropriate from the moment a baby is born until they're able to safely transition to a toddler bed or kids single bed. To ensure that the crib you're buying will last, look for a design with adjustable heights for the base. This feature lets you to lower the mattress's height to fit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them safe and comfortable.

One of the most recommended cribs useful features of the design is the ability to remove cot bars in sections. This will give your child the feeling of independence as they start to toddle and will make it easier for them to get in and out of bed. Some cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa by taking out the front.

The slatted design of many cribs is a good option for a small space, in addition, it assists air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This makes a large difference in comfort, and could make all the difference when trying to ensure that your baby has an adequate night's rest.

A cot-sized or small bed is a great investment for your baby's sleep habits and safety, and can be a beautiful accessory to any nursery. With so many styles to pick from, it's always worth taking the time to look through the entire selection of cots and beds available at Cuckooland to find the style that is suitable for your needs.

You'll also find that a range of accessories, like baby bumpers, soft duvets, and top quality bed linen, are available for every crib to make it look more complete. This makes it easy to put together a cosy and warm environment for your baby to enjoy the best rated cribs quality sleep, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.