Small Cot Beds: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

· 6 min read
Small Cot Beds: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to focus on the safety and spec features when shopping for a small bed. However, don't forget to consider the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can make a small room appear larger and less clutter-filled.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight, this model is an excellent choice for smaller bedrooms. It's the easiest flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots, however they still provide all the comfort and safety features your baby requires. They can be used from birth, or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models convert into an elegant sofa bed for use with older children, too.

To maximize your space, consider the right model that will fit with your existing bedroom furniture or one that can easily take apart and reassemble when you want to make room for other baby items. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has 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.

There's a broad selection of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup which means that whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's something to meet your needs. A majority of the designs on our list have a fitted mattress, which makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

When selecting a cot, it is essential to determine the size of your nursery. You should also check the dimensions to ensure it will fit before making your purchase. The gap between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a crib that takes a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and comes with an elegant sleigh-style frame. It is built to last, with high-quality materials and sturdy construction. It is also easy to adapt to your baby's growing requirements. However, it's a much more expensive option than some of the other cots on our list and you'll need to buy a separate mattress when you pick this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a small nursery, and is our choice of the best value cot. It's packed full of additional features like teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's super-easy to put together. The mattress is included, but a second one will be needed to accommodate the toddler transition.

Comfort

Select a cot that is small and has a comfortable mattress. This will help your baby sleep well. These mattresses are more rigid than traditional cot mattresses however they are soft enough to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest.

The cushioning on these mattresses can also help to reduce heat retention, which can cause discomfort for certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants chemical compounds and other substances that could cause irritation to the skin of your baby's.


Typically, these mattresses are also a good choice for side and back sleepers, as they provide great support for the neck and head as well as body. These mattresses can be utilized together with the built-in cradle that comes with the cot, which is helpful for colic or reflux.

When choosing a small cot bed with cushions it is essential to verify the dimensions of the mattress as well as whether it can be placed inside the base of the cot. You should also determine whether there are any specific rules and regulations to adhere to when buying mattresses for cots, such as the minimum thickness.

The adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents who want a cot that will grow with their child. It is a cot that converts to a toddler bed. This saves you the expense of purchasing an additional bed for your child once they are ready.

The user-friendly configuration of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace stated that it "came out of the box and was unfolded like the back of a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds up without any complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also compact and lightweight and fits neatly into a bag slightly larger than a camp chair's case. It's ideal for taking it to grandparents' houses.

Despite being heavier than other models in our tried-and-tested line-up, this cot feels extremely comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding, and a springy bottom that absorbs the weight, without making your child feel as if they're in the bouncer. It's a solid, stable option for side and back sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers could be a bit uncomfortable with it.

Safety

It's vital to make sure that the cot you choose is safe for your child. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it converts into a toddler bed. You should also check that it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough space to provide a safe sleep for your little one. It should measure 140cm by 70cm and should not have gaps around the corners or edges.

Make sure that the mattress is level and firm. It can be dangerous to suffocate if it is soft or old, or damaged. Test the mattress to see whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. If you press the middle of a good quality cot-mattress, it should feel firm.

Keep the cot free of toys, smudges, and anything else which could pose a choking risk. Babies should be able move freely and roll over during 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 cot has a drop-side, check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secure.

It's important to avoid placing a cot next to an open window or a radiator in case they become too hot or wake up with a sunburn. Also, keep the cot away from wall mounted curtain cords, baby monitor cables and decorative accessories with long cords. Babies can be strangled by these cords, and older babies 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 other cheaper options. It's a bit laborious to put together but the directions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not expensive however it will last your child right into their toddler years and will look stunning in any nursery.

Design

When shopping for a small cot bed, it's crucial to remember that you're purchasing something that will last for years. Unlike cribs, which are designed for a short time, cots are suitable from the moment a child is born until they're able to safely move to an adult bed or a single bed. Find a cot that has an adjustable height base to ensure that it will last. This feature allows you lower the mattress height to accommodate your child's growing needs, while keeping them secure and comfortable.

A great design feature is the ability to take out the cot bars into sections. This will provide your child with the feeling of independence as they begin to play and make it easier to help them get into and out of the bed. Some cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa by removing the front.

Many cots come with slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby. This makes a large difference in comfort and can make the difference to ensure that your child gets a good night's sleep.

A small cot or cot bed is an excellent investment in your baby's sleeping habits and security, and is an attractive accessory to any nursery. With so many styles to pick from, it's worth taking the time to look through the entire selection of cots and cot beds that are available at Cuckooland to find one that's perfect for you.

via 'll also find that a range of accessories, like baby bumpers and soft duvets made of top quality bed linen, are available for every cot to complete the look. This lets you create a an inviting and comfortable environment for your child, ensuring they have the best sleep possible.