How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK

Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek thanks to its minimalist design. The warm oak finish makes it an excellent addition to any nursery. A drawer as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails help keep it tidy too.

This crib is the solution for your child who is fussy. It responds to their cries with soothing sounds that mimic the womb.

Size

A good cot size balances giving your baby the space to grow, but not overwhelming the nursery with an enormous bed. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm by 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most babies until they are around three years old. Certain cots might have curves or other features that may impact the size of a bed mattress. It is therefore crucial to double check your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.

There are a lot of stores on the high street where you can check out the wide selection of cots, such as Dunelm and Ikea. Many retailers have an exchange policy so that you can swap out the cot that doesn't meet your requirements. It's also worth shopping online, since you can get a better idea of the dimensions of each cot sale and how it will look in your nursery.

If you're seeking a high-quality cot one of the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. The cot will listen to your baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep, cot beds emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology will help your baby get a great night's sleep. It can be used in any crib or cot. It's a great option for babies and newborns who are fussy or with breathing difficulties and can also monitor their sleep patterns to help you understand the routines of your baby.

Stokke Sleepi Cot is another excellent alternative. This minimalist cot is constructed out of solid beech, and comes with a a removable panel to transform into a toddler bed. It comes with a variety mattresses, so you can alter the height of your child’s sleeping area to suit their needs. It's also a great option for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings, and our panel found it easy to construct.

Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It comes in a variety of finishes from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth up until your child is four. It has three mattress options that allow you to easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a toddler bed by taking off the side panels and adding the footboard. The crib includes a mattress and is FSC certified.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an important element of the nursery for your baby, however, they must be safe as well. Find a cot that is certified to comply with British safety standards and bears the code BS EN 716. It should also have a solid flat mattress and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers that aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
cot beds come in a variety of styles and colours that are perfect for any furniture or interiors that you've selected for your baby's first bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great example of how stylish a cot could be. The under-bed storage drawer was a feature that helped it earn high scores from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed practical and stylish. Our testers also loved that the cot was easy to build, even though it comes in a flatpack, with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.

Stokke Sleepi is another option for a chic functional cot. It blends the Scandi style with the benefit of being able to 'grow with' your child. It can be used as a cot right from birth until the time your child is five, at which point you can transform it into a toddler's bed by cutting off a corner. Its smooth oval-shaped finish and high-quality construction impressed our test subjects however the cost may be a hindrance for some.

If you choose the model with bars that are too close together, your baby could become trapped or choke. Also, you should ensure that the drop-side mechanism works efficiently and reliably, and can't be easily lowered by your child. If you choose a model that has bars that are not properly spaced, your baby may become trapped or choke. You should also be sure that the mechanism for dropping is secure and doesn't allow your child to lower it.

You should also be sure that the cot you purchase is in compliance with UK safety standards, typically BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the bars. Most cots and cot beds will have this information in the product description or on their website, but should you have any questions, it's worth speaking to the seller to confirm.

Convertibility

It is possible that your cot to last for a long time, and some models are designed to do just that. The most well-known converts into toddler beds, and sometimes even sofas, allowing you to use it past the infant stage. They are more expensive because they are required to support the weight of a child for longer. However, they are a great investment if you intend to use them long after your baby has developed.

A cot is also among the most important purchases you will make for your new baby It is crucial to ensure that it complies with strict UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and make sure that it has a base that's fully slatted and has no gaps on all sides. If it doesn't, you will have to purchase a separate mattress for your bed.

Some cots also come with extra features such as teething rails, which can help to save space and make parenting life simpler. Some cots are easy to put together, which is a great benefit when you're strapped for time or are concerned about putting them together yourself. The John Lewis cot bed, for example was rated by one of our mom testers as the most simple flatpack to put together' and is complete with clear instructions and photos.

The Boori cot is another option. It has a timeless design and comes in a variety of finishes that will fit your nursery. It has 3 adjustable mattress height positions and can be transformed into a toddler bed by removing the side, and then it can be converted to a junior bed with the addition of the footboard. It comes in various sizes that can be adapted to your space. One of our test subjects said that her bed was able to last through three kids.

Stokke Sleepi is another great alternative. It comes with a modular design which allows it to be expanded into various configurations. The mini model is suitable from birth and then converts into a toddler bed with 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.