Aurora Farnham

Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to focus on the safety features and specifications when shopping for a small bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can make smaller rooms appear larger and less clutter-filled.

Stroller-style, and quite light, this model is a good option for smaller bedrooms. It's also the easiest flatpack to put together.

Space-saving

Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots however, they still offer all the comfort and safety features your baby needs. They are suitable from birth, or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be turned into a stylish couch bed for older children.

Choose a model that can be easily dismantled, then reassembled when you need to make space for other baby things. It is also possible to think about a compact cot bed with built-in storage, or multi-functional designs that combine the drawers of a chest as well as a changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

There's a broad variety 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 fit your space. A majority of the designs on our list have a fitted mattress that helps keep your baby's bedding clean and tidy.

When you are choosing a cot it's important to determine the size of your nursery and check the dimensions to ensure it's suitable before purchasing. Also, you should consider the gap between the bars as 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 a sturdy build with high-quality materials, and is easy to alter to your baby's needs as they grow. It is more expensive than the other cots we've reviewed, and you'll have to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best value cot, is another ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It's stuffed with 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. The mattress is included, but another one will be needed for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Choose a small cot with an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will help your baby rest comfortably. They are designed to be firmer than a traditional cot mattress but still soft enough that your baby will enjoy an enjoyable night's sleep.

The mattresses are cushioned to prevent heat retention which can cause discomfort in some babies. The materials used to make the mattress are free of irritants and chemicals to ensure they don't cause irritation to your baby's delicate skin.

These mattresses are a great option for side and back sleepers, since they provide adequate support for the neck, head and body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling system, which parents have found to be helpful for colic and reflux.

If you are considering a mattress cot bed that has cushions it is important to determine the size of the mattress and whether it will fit into the base of the cot. Find out if the mattress has any specific rules or regulations, for instance the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design by Vox is a great option for parents looking for a cot that will grow with their child. It's initially a cot for sale and then converts into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from the expense of buying another bed when your baby is ready for it.

Our test panel was impressed by the simple setup of this cot The mom tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and folded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap into place and the cot collapses on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also compact and lightweight, fitting neatly into a bag that's slightly bigger than a camp chair's case and ideal for taking it to grandparents' houses.

Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried and tested line-up, this cot is extremely comfortable. It's made to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're in the bouncer. It's also a sturdy stable and safe option for back and side sleepers though senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

It is essential to make sure that the cot bed you choose is safe for your baby. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it transforms into an infant bed. Verify that it's appropriate for the nursery and is big enough for your child to be safe. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. It could be a suffocation hazard in the event that it is soft or old, or damaged. Examine for any areas of sagging that could be dangerous and then test how quickly the mattress springs back when pressing down on it. A good quality mattress for cots should be solid and flat when you press it down on the middle of it.

Keep the Mini Cot Bed free of toys, stickers and other things that could be a choking risk. Babies should be able to move freely and roll over in their sleep, so it's essential that the cot does not have raised corners or cut-outs they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot is equipped with a drop-side, check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

Do not place the cot next to an open radiator or a bright window. They could get too warm or awake with sunburn. You should also keep the cot away from cords for curtains that are mounted on the wall as well as baby monitor cables and decorative accessories with long cords. Babies could be strangled by these, and older children could climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars for the cot.

For Scandi style and a top-quality finish, this cot is worth the investment over the cheaper alternatives. It's a bit time-consuming to assemble, but the instructions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not expensive, but it will last into their toddler years.

Design

It's important to remember that you're likely to invest in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. In contrast to cribs that are used only for a short period of time, cots 4 tots and cot beds are suitable from birth until the time when a child can safely transition to a toddler or kids single bed. To ensure the cot you buy will last, search for a model with adjustable heights for the base. This feature allows you to lower the mattress's height as your child grows, helping them stay secure and comfortable for a longer time.

Another design element to keep an eye out for is the ability to take sections of the cot bars. This will give your child the feeling of independence as they begin to play and make it easier to help them get into and out of the bed. To make it even more flexible, 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.

Many cots feature slatted designs which are ideal for small spaces, as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This makes a large difference when it comes to comfort, and can make all the difference when trying to ensure that your child gets a restful night's sleep.

A small cot, or bed for cots, is a fantastic investment for your baby's security and sleeping habits. It's also a lovely addition to any nursery. With so many designs available to choose from, it's worth taking the time to explore the wide range of cots and beds on offer at Cuckooland to find one that suits you.

There's also an array of accessories, such as baby bumpers and soft duvets made of premium bed linen, are available for each crib to make it look more complete. This makes it easy to put together a cosy and comfortable environment for your baby to get the best quality sleep, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.