Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to concentrate on the safety and features when looking for a smaller bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed cot will make a room feel bigger and less clutter-filled.

This model is perfect for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's also the easiest flatpack to put together.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots but still provide all the safety and comfort features that your baby needs. They can be used from the time of birth or until your toddler is ready to transition to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be converted into an elegant sofa bed to use with older children as well.

Choose a model that can be easily dismantled and reassembled in the event that you need to store other baby items. Think about a cot bed that is compact and has built-in storage or a multifunctional design that includes a changing unit with a chest of drawers, a changing table and a bench seats into one piece of furniture.

There is a wide selection of sizes in our small cot beds (visit the next post) and cribs roundup, so whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's something to fit your space. Many of the designs featured in our roundup include an adjustable bed, making it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.

When selecting a cot, it is important to determine the size of your nursery and verify the dimensions to ensure it will fit before purchasing. The distance between the bars should be no more than 6.5cm. This is to ensure safety.

Our real moms loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which can fit an average 120 x 60cm mattress, and features a gorgeous sleigh-style frame. It's built to last, with high-quality materials and sturdy construction. It's also simple to adapt to your baby's growing needs. It's more expensive than other cots in our list and you will need to purchase a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a smaller nursery and it's our pick for the most value-for-money cots. It's stuffed with additional features like teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together too. It comes with a mattress, however, you'll need an additional one to convert it into a toddler.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to rest comfortably. These are designed to be firmer than traditional cot mattresses but still soft enough that your child will get the rest of the night.

The cushioning on these mattresses also helps to prevent heat retention, which can cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of irritants and chemicals, as well as other substances that can cause irritation to your baby's skin.

These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers as they provide adequate support for neck, head and body. These mattresses can be used together with the built-in cradle of a cot, which can be useful for those suffering from reflux or colic.

It is important to measure the mattress size and ensure that it will fit in the base of the cot prior to buying a cot that is small. You can also find out whether there are specific rules and regulations you need to adhere to when buying mattresses for cots, such as the minimum thickness.

If you're in search of an cot that can expand with your child and be able to adapt, you should consider this design from Vox. It is initially a cot and then converts into an infant bed, saving you from having to buy a new bed when your child is ready for it.

Our test panel loved this cot's easy setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and unfolded like a chair for camping". 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 bag that's slightly bigger than a camp chair's case. It's ideal for transporting to grandparents' homes.

This cot is extremely comfortable despite being bigger than other models from our tried and tested range. It's designed to feel as an actual mattress, with plenty of padding and a springy base that carries the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're bouncing around in the bouncer. It's also a sturdy and stable choice for back and side sleepers, but senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers may have issues with it.

Safety

It's vital to make sure that the cot 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. 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 x 70cm and have no gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. It could pose a suffocation hazard in the event that it is soft, old, or damaged. Look for any areas of sagging that could be dangerous and test how the mattress springs back after pressing on it. When you press down on the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it will feel firm.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, smudges and other things that could pose a choking hazard. It is essential that babies move around freely and roll over while they sleep. If your cot has drop-sides, be sure to check them frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secured.

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

For Scandi style and a premium finish, this cot is worth the extra investment over cheaper alternatives. It's not the easiest to put together however the instructions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not expensive, but it'll keep your child safe through their toddler years and will look fantastic in any nursery.

Design

When you're looking for a small cot bed, it's crucial to remember that you're investing in an item that will last for a long time. Unlike cribs which are used only for a brief period of time, cots and beds are suitable from birth until the time when a child can safely transition into a toddler or a single bed. Find a cot that has an adjustable base height to ensure it lasts. This feature lets you lower the mattress's height as your baby grows, making sure they are secure and comfortable for a longer time.

A great design feature is the capability to remove cot bars in 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 bed. For more flexibility the cribs beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a cozy sofa by removing the front of the bed.

Many cots feature slatted designs that are ideal for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby. This is a significant difference when it comes to comfort, and could make all the difference in trying to ensure that your baby has a restful night's sleep.

A small cot or bed is an excellent investment for your baby's sleep habits and security, and is a beautiful accessory to any nursery. Cuckooland offers a variety of beds and cheap cots to choose from.

For each crib, you'll find an array of accessories, including soft duvets and high-end bedding. This makes it easy to create a warm and warm environment for your baby to get the best infant cribs possible rest, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.