Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to focus on the safety and spec features when you're looking for a compact bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can help make a small room appear larger and less overwhelmed.

Stroller-style and extremely light this model is a great option for smaller bedrooms. It's the simplest flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots that still provide all the security and comfort features your baby needs. They can be used until your toddler is ready to move on to an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models convert into a stylish sofa bed for use with older children as well.

To maximize your space, look for an item that is compatible with the furniture in your bedroom, or one that you can easily dismantle and put up again when you want to make room for other baby objects. You may also want to think about a compact cot bed with built-in storage or an all-purpose design that incorporates an armoire, changing unit and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

You can find a wide range of sizes in our small cot Beds (opencbc.com) and cribs roundup and, therefore, whether you have a tiny nursery or a large playroom, there's a bed that will suit your space. A lot of the cribs on our list come with mattresses that are fitted that helps keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

It's important that you measure the space available in your nursery before purchasing a crib. 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 which takes a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and features an elegant sleigh-style frame. It is constructed to last using high-quality materials and a sturdy construction. It's also easy to adapt to your baby's increasing requirements. It is more expensive than the other cots in our list and you'll have to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot bed sales is another great choice for a compact nursery, and it's our pick of the most value-for-money cots. It's stuffed with extra features including teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together. The mattress is included, however a second one is required for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will help your baby sleep comfortably. These mattresses are firmer than the traditional cot mattress however they are soft enough to ensure your child has a comfortable night sleep.

The mattresses are cushioned to help prevent the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort in some babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants chemical compounds and 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 excellent support for neck, head and body. They can also be used with the cot's built in cradling, which parents have found to be helpful in cases of reflux and colic.

When selecting a cot bed with cushions it is essential to verify the dimensions of the mattress and whether it can be placed inside the base of the cot. Find out if the cot mattress has any particular rules or regulations, such as the minimum thickness.

If you're looking for an cot bed that will expand with your child take a look at this adaptable design from Vox. It's a cot which converts to a toddler bed. This will save you the expense of purchasing a new bed for your child once they are ready.

The easy-to-use setup of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace noted that it "came out of the box and folded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds down without any complicated mechanisms to deal with. It is also compact and lightweight, fitting into a carry case that is larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting this cot from grandparents at their homes.

This cot is extremely comfortable despite its size being higher than other models from our tried and tested line-up. It's designed to feel as an actual mattress with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs weight without making your baby feel like they're bouncing around in the bouncer. It's also a sturdy stable and safe option for back and side sleepers, however the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby it's important to check whether the cot bed you choose to use meets the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. You should look for the BS EN code or BS8509 if you want to convert it into a toddler's 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 not have any gaps around the corners or edges.

Make sure the mattress is level and firm. If it's soft, old or damaged, this can pose a suffocation risk. Look for any areas of sagging that could be dangerous and test how quickly the mattress springs back when pressing it. When you press down on the middle of a quality cot-mattress it should feel firm.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers and other items that could be a choking hazard. It's essential that babies move around freely and roll over while they sleep. If your crib has a drop side be sure to check it regularly to ensure that the mechanism is locked securely.

It's recommended to avoid placing a cot close to the sun or a radiator in case they get too hot or wake up with a sunburn. Make sure the cot is kept away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains, baby monitor cables, and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies can be strangled by these cords, and older babies could climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the cot.

For Scandi style and a top-quality finish This cot is well worth the extra investment over other cheaper options. It's not the easiest to put together, but the instructions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not cheap baby cots however it will last until their toddler years and look fantastic in any nursery.

Design

When looking for a compact cot bed, it's important to remember that you're likely investing in something that will last for years. Contrary to cribs that are used only for a short period of time, cots are appropriate from the moment a child is born until they're able to easily transition to an adult bed or a single bed. To ensure that the cot you purchase will last, look for a model with adjustable base heights. This feature allows you to lower the mattress height as your child grows, making sure they are safe and comfortable for longer.

One of the most useful features of the design is the ability to take out cot bars in sections. This is a great way to give your baby a sense of independence once they start walking around, and can help them get in and out of their bed easily. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa by removing the front.

Many cots feature slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a big difference in terms of comfort and help ensure that your baby enjoys a restful night.

A small cot, or cot-bed, is a great investment for your baby’s security and sleep habits. It's also an excellent addition to any nursery. With so many options to pick from, it's always worth the effort to explore the wide range of cots and cot beds that are available at Cuckooland to find the style that suits you.

You'll also find that an array of accessories, like baby bumpers and soft duvets with top ranked cribs quality bed linen, are available for every cot to complete the look. This makes it easy to put together a cosy and welcoming environment for your baby's to get the best possible rest and ensures that they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.