How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK

With its sleek minimalist design and warm oak finish, this cot from Silver Cross looks stylish in any nursery. It is also kept tidy with a drawer as well as a handy anti bite plastic strip on the top rated cots rails.

This smart crib could be the solution to soothe your fussy baby. It makes soft sounds that sound like the womb.

Size

A good cot size is a compromise between giving your baby the space to grow and not overcrowding the nursery by a huge bed. The standard UK mattress for cots is 70cm x 140cm which is enough for most babies up to around three years old. However, some cots come with curving corners or other features that could cause issues with the fitting of a mattress, therefore it is worth double checking your cot's footprint before you purchase.

There are plenty of stores on the high street where you can browse a wide range of cots, including Dunelm and Ikea. Some also have a return policy, which means you can return a cot if it doesn't meet your requirements. It's also worth shopping online, as you can get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot, and how it will appear in your nursery.

If you're seeking a high-quality cot, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. This cot can monitor your baby's crying and gently rock them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve a restful sleep, and it can be used with any cot or crib. It is ideal for babies who suffer from breathing problems or fussy newborns. It also monitors their sleep cycles to help you understand your child's habits.

Stokke Sleepi Cot is another great alternative. The cot is minimalist and constructed from solid beech and features an adjustable panel that can be transformed into an infant bed. It also has an impressive variety of mattress positions that allows you to alter the size of your child's sleeping space as they expand. It's a great choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with sloped ceilings. Our panel was also easy to assemble.

Another cot that is budget-friendly is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a variety of finishes from white to dark slate gray and is suitable from birth up until your child reaches the age of four. It comes with three mattress height settings, which allow you to easily reach your baby, and can be converted into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and putting in the footboard. The cot is FSC certified and includes a mattress.

Safety

Cots and cots are crucial for the nursery of your baby's, but they must also be safe. Choose a cot that is marked with the code BS EN 716 and that is certified to meet British safety standards. It should have a flat and firm mattress and shouldn't be stuffed with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended.

If you're buying a used crib, be sure to determine the age of it. Lead paint can be poisonous for infants. Look for signs of wear and tear, especially on the sides where children may rub their hands because this der-bed storage drawer is a practical feature which helped it score high marks with our panel, while teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is stylish. The cot is easy to put together, despite the fact that it is flat-packed, and comes with simple instructions and labeled parts.

Another option for a stylish cot is Stokke Sleepi, which combines Scandi design with the functionality of a cot which can grow with your child. It can be used from birth as a cot or until your child turns five years old. old, when it can be transformed into a toddler bed with the removal of a side. Its sleek oval design and high-quality construction impressed our testers however the cost might be a problem for some.

A crib is a safe space for your baby to lay throughout the day and at night however it is essential to go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them closely to ensure your baby stays safe and comfortable. If you select a cot that has bars that are too closely spaced, your baby may become trapped or choke. Also, you should ensure that the mechanism for dropping is secure and doesn't allow your child to lower it.

You should also ensure that the cot you buy is in compliance with UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and when it transforms into bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip along the top ranked cribs of the bars. The majority of cots and cots will have this information in the description of the product or on their website, however If you are concerned you should speak to the seller to confirm.

Convertibility

You may want your best cot newborn to last for a long time, and certain models are made to do that. The majority of popular cots can be turned into sofas for toddlers or toddlers. This lets you continue using it long after the infant stage. These are more expensive as they need to hold the weight of an adult for a longer time, but they can provide excellent value for money if you intend to use them until your baby is older.

It's important to make sure that the cot you select meets UK safety standards. Look up the BS EN code on the product's website to confirm. Also, ensure the base is completely slatted with no gaps at all sides. If it doesn't then you'll need to purchase a new mattress for your bed.

Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails. These can save space and make life easier for parents. Others are simple to assemble and are ideal if you are not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it all together yourself. One of our mom testers gave the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.

Another option is the stunning Boori best cot newborn, which is a timeless design and comes in a variety of finishes to suit your nursery. It can be turned to a toddler bed by taking one side off the cot. Then it can be converted into a junior cot using the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to suit your space, and one of our test parents stated that hers lasted through three kids.

Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It has an modular design that allows it to be expanded into different configurations. The mini model is ideal from birth and then converts into a toddler bed by the addition of a side and it can be converted to a junior bed when your child is ready for it. Our panel chose it for its aesthetics. They loved the natural finish and oval shape.