Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to get caught up in the safety and features when shopping for a small bed. But don't forget about the aesthetics. A well-designed cot can help make the space appear larger and less cluttered.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight, this model is a great option for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's also the easiest flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots however they still provide all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used from birth, or until your toddler is able to transition to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be converted into a chic couch bed to use with older kids.

To help you maximize your space, choose an item that is compatible with your existing bedroom furniture or one that can easily dismantle and reassemble when you want to accommodate other baby things. You might also want to think about a compact cot bed with built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that combines the drawers of a chest as well as a changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

There's a broad selection of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs beds roundup, so regardless of whether you have a tiny nursery or a spacious playroom there's a bed that will suit your space. A lot of the cribs that we have listed come with a fitted mattress, which helps keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

When choosing a cot, it is essential to determine the size of your nursery and check the dimensions to make sure it's appropriate before purchasing. It is also important to consider the gap between the bars, as this needs to be no more than 6.5cm for safety reasons.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot that takes a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and has a beautiful sleigh style frame. It's constructed to last using high-quality materials and a sturdy construction. It's also easy to adapt to your child's changing requirements. It's more expensive than other cots in our list and you will need to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best value cot, is another excellent option for a small nursery. It's stuffed with extra features including teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together. It includes a mattress, however, you'll need another one to convert it into a toddler.

Comfort

Choose a small cot with an easy mattress. This will help your baby sleep well. They are more firm than traditional cot mattresses but are soft enough to ensure your baby gets a good night's rest.

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

Typically, these kinds of mattresses are a great choice for side and back sleepers, as they provide great support for the neck as well as the head and body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling feature, which parents have found to be helpful for colic and reflux.

It is crucial to measure the mattress's size and make sure that it can fit into the base of the cot prior buying a cot that is small. Find out if the mattress has any specific rules or regulations, for instance a minimum thickness.

This adaptable design from Vox is a great option for parents who want an cot that can grow with their child. It is initially an cot, but it can be converted into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from having to buy a new bed when your baby is ready to use it.

The easy-to-use setup of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace said that it "came from the box and was unfolded like the back of a camping chair". The middle joints snap in place and the cot then collapses on itself. No complicated mechanisms are required. It's also light and compact, fitting neatly into a carry bag that's slightly larger 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 range, this cot is extremely comfortable. It is designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that can absorb the weight without making your child feel as if they're in a bouncer. It's a sturdy, stable alternative for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers might have a problem with it.

Safety

It is essential to ensure that the cot bed you pick is safe for your child. You should look for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into an infant bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the correct size for your nursery and offers enough space to provide a safe sleep for your baby. It should be 140cm by 70cm and have no gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is flat and firm. If it's a bit soft, old or damaged, this can pose a suffocation risk. Check the mattress to see whether it springs back rapidly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress it should feel firm.

Keep the cot free of toys, smudges and anything else that could pose a choking risk. Babies should be able to move freely and roll over throughout their sleep, which is why it's important that the cot does not have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop side, inspect it regularly to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

It's recommended cribs to avoid placing a cot close to a radiator or sunny window, as they could get too hot or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot away from cords on wall mounted curtains, baby monitor cables, and decorative accessories that have long cords. These cords can strangle babies and older children may reach out to grab bars from the cot or pull themselves up.

For Scandi style and a high-quality finish the cot is worth the extra investment over cheaper alternatives. The instructions are clear, and the wood feels solid. It takes time to assemble. It's not cheap cot beds but it will last until they reach the age of toddlers.

Design

When you're looking for a small cot bed, you need to keep in mind that you're purchasing a long-term piece of furniture. Contrary to cribs that are designed for a short time, cots are suitable from the moment a baby is born until they are able to safely move to a toddler bed or kids single bed. Look for a cot with an adjustable height base to ensure it lasts. This feature allows you lower the mattress height to fit your baby's development, ensuring they are secure and comfortable.

A great design feature is the ability to remove cot bars in sections. This will provide your child with the feeling of independence as they start to toddle and make it easier to help them get into and out of bed. To make it even more flexible, some cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot can also be converted into a comfortable sofa by taking off the front of the bed.

The slatted design of a lot of cribs is a good option for small spaces, too, as it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a big difference in the quality of sleep and can help ensure that your baby has a restful night.

A small cot, or the cot-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby’s security and sleeping habits. It's also an ideal addition to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds to pick from.

For each crib, you'll find various accessories such as soft duvets, plus premium bed linen. This makes it easy to create a cozy and welcoming environment for your baby to get the best cot beds sleep possible, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.