How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek thanks to its minimalist design. Its warm oak finish makes it a wonderful accessory to any nursery. It's also tidy by having a drawer and a handy anti bite plastic strip on the top rails.
This smart crib could be the solution for your baby who is a bit fussy. It responds to their cry with soft sounds that mimic the baby's womb.
Size
A good cot size strikes a balance between providing your baby with space to grow, and not overwhelming the nursery with massive beds. The standard UK size of a cot is 70cm by 140cm. This should be adequate to accommodate most infants until they reach around three years of age. Certain cots might have curves or other features that can alter the size of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to check the cot's footprint prior buying.
There are a lot of stores on the high street where you can browse a wide range of cots, such as Dunelm and Ikea. tots and cots of them also offer a return policy, which means you can return any cot that isn't what you want. You can also get a better idea about the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping on the internet.
If you're looking for a top-notch cot, try the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot monitors your baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve peaceful sleep. it can be used with any crib or cot. It's ideal for babies with breathing issues or who are fussy babies. It also tracks their sleep patterns to help you better understand your child's habits.
Stokke Sleepi Cot is another fantastic alternative. This minimalist cot is constructed out of solid beech, and comes with a an adjustable panel that can be transformed into a toddler bed. It also has an impressive range of mattress bases that allows you to alter the level of your child's sleeping space as they grow. It's also a great option for smaller rooms or ceilings that slope Our panel found it simple to assemble.
The Elementary cot, part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a different budget-friendly option. It's available in a range of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey, and is suitable for use from birth until the time your child is four years old. It has three mattress height settings, which will help you to reach your child easily, and can be converted into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and putting in a footboard. The crib includes a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an important part of your baby's nursery however, they must be safe as well. Find a cot that has the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified as meeting British safety standards. It must have a flat, firm mattress, and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers that aren't recommended.
If you are buying a secondhand cot, make sure it's not overly old, as paint may contain lead, which is harmful to babies. Examine for signs of wear and tear, especially on the sides where children might rub their hands, since this could cause skin irritation. Also, make sure to look for any transfers or stickers because they can come off and create the risk of choking your child.
Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mom testers was extremely pleased with this John Lewis model for being stylish and functional. It's simple to put together and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She added that it was also one of the easiest cribs that can be converted into a toddler bed. It also comes with an optional drawer that helps you keep the nursery tidy, and has 3 adjustable heights so you can use it as your baby grows.
The depth of the cot is another important factor to consider. You should choose a cot with at least 50cm of depth to prevent your child from climbing onto the cot as they become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the type of mattress you'll need, since there are many choices out there from foam and spring interiors to natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. If you're considering buying a new cot you might also be interested in a mattress protector to guard against spills or stains. It's a good idea to hire an expert to assess the safety of an old cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost around PS100 but it's worth the investment to have peace of mind.
Style
It can be easy to get bogged down with spec and safety when buying for a baby, but don't forget about the style. It is essential to select the cot that is in keeping with your baby's nursery and your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds are available in a variety of styles and colours that are perfect for the furniture or interiors that you've chosen for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great illustration of how stylish a cot could be. The drawer under the bed was a nice feature that made it a winner for high marks from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed practical and stylish. The cot is easy to put together, even though it is flat-packed, and comes with easy instructions and clearly labeled parts.
Another alternative for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi design with the functionality of a cot that is able to grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child turns five years old. older, at which point it can be transformed to a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Its smooth oval finish and sturdy construction impressed our testers however the cost might be a problem for some.
If you select a model with bars that are too close together your baby may become trapped or choke. Also, you should ensure that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily dropped by your child. If you select a model with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke, and it is important to ensure that the mechanism for dropping works well and efficiently and isn't easily removed by your child.
If you're purchasing an cot that converts to a mattress, be sure it meets 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. cots 4 tots is usually found in the description of the product for the cot or bed, however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.
Convertibility
You may want your cot to last for a long time and some models are made to do that. Most popular cots can be transformed into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you continue using it well beyond the infant stage. These tend to cost more because they have to support the weight of an adult for a longer time, but they can provide excellent value for money if you intend to keep using them after your baby is older.
A cot is among the most crucial purchases you'll make for your new arrival, and it's vital to ensure it meets strict UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and check that it has a base that is completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in any of the sides. If it does not then you'll have to buy a separate bed mattress.
Some cots are equipped with additional features like a storage drawer or teething rails. These can help save space and simplify the lives of parents. Others are easy to assemble and are ideal if you are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it together yourself. One of our mom test subjects gave the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and photos.
The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a timeless design and comes in a range of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It comes with three adjustable mattress height positions and can be converted to a toddler bed by removing the side, and then into a junior bed with the addition of an additional footboard. It is available in a variety of sizes that will suit your room. One of our test subjects said hers lasted through three children.
Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to build it into various configurations. The mini model is suitable for babies and can be converted into a toddler bed with the addition of a side and then to a junior bed when your child is ready. Our panel chose it for its aesthetics. They were enthralled by the natural finish and oval shape.