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How to Choose the Best Cots Uk 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 rails.
This smart crib could be the solution for your baby who is a bit fussy. It responds to their cry with soothing sounds that mimic the baby's womb.
Size
A cot that is the right size balances giving your baby room to grow, but not overcrowding the nursery with an enormous bed. The standard UK cot size is 70cm x 140cm. This should be enough to accommodate most babies until they reach three years old. Some cots could have curves or other features that can affect the fit of a bed mattress. It is therefore essential to double check your mattress's footprint prior to purchasing.
You can find cots at a variety of high-street stores, including Dunelm or Ikea. Many also offer a returns policy, so you can return the cot if it isn't what you want. You can also get a better idea for the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping online cots.
If you're looking for a top-notch crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot monitors the baby's crying and responds by gently rocking 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's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or who have breathing issues and it can monitor their sleep patterns to aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your little one.
Another great alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. The cot is minimalist and constructed from solid beech and features an adjustable panel that can be transformed into an infant cot bed bed. It comes with a variety of mattress bases, so you can adjust the height of your child's sleeping area to suit their needs. It's also a great option for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings, and our panel found it simple to assemble.
The Elementary cot, part of John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It's available in a range of finishes, from white to dark slate grey, and can be used from birth until your child is four years old. It has three mattress height settings which will help you reach your baby easily and it can be transformed into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and putting in a footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and includes a mattress.
Safety
Cots and cots are essential for the nursery of your baby's however, they must be secure. Choose a cot that has been certified to meet the British safety standards and carries the code BS EN 716. It should also have a solid flat mattress, and not be filled with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.
If buying a secondhand cot, make sure it's not overly old, as paint could contain lead which can be harmful to infants. Examine for signs of wear and tear, especially on the sides where a child might rub their hands, because this can cause skin irritation. Also, be sure to check for any transfers or stickers as these can peel off and pose a choking hazard to your baby.
Certain cots are equipped with extra features, such as teething rails, storage drawers, and even a toothing rail. One of our mom test subjects praised this John Lewis model for being both stylish and functional. "It's really easy to put together, with all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, adding that it's one of the easiest cots to transform into the toddler bed. The cot also comes with an additional drawer that can help you keep the nursery tidy and also has three adjustable heights so you can use it as your baby grows.
Another consideration is the depth of the cot. You should look for a cot with a minimum depth of 50cm, as this will prevent your child from climbing up the cot when they become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the type of mattress you'll require, as there are many choices out there from foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you're considering buying an entirely new cot, you might think about a cot mattress protector to guard against spills or stains. If you're buying a second-hand cot, it's worth getting a professional to assess the safety of the cot and repair any damage. It's typically about PS100 but it's worth the investment to have peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child it's easy to get caught up in the safety and specifications. But don't overlook the style. It's important to choose the right cot for the nursery of your baby and your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds are available in different colourways and designs that are perfect for the furniture or interiors that you've selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a fantastic example of how stylish a cot can be. The under-bed storage drawer was a nice feature that made it a winner for high scores from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights also make this cot bed functional and stylish. The cot is simple to assemble, even though it is flat-packed, and comes with simple instructions and labeled 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 from birth or until your child reaches the age of five, when you can convert it into a bed for toddlers by cutting off a corner. Its smooth oval-shaped finish and quality construction impressed our testers however the cost may be a hindrance for some.
A crib is a safe space for your baby to sleep throughout the day and at night It is important that you go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them carefully to ensure that your child is comfortable and secure. If you select a cot with bars that are too close, your baby could become trapped or choke. you must also ensure that the mechanism for dropping works smoothly and effectively, and can't be easily lowered by your child.
You should also be sure that the cot you purchase is compliant with UK safety standards, usually BS EN 716, and if it converts into a bed, BS 8509, which includes a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the bars. This information is usually included in the description of the product for cots or cot beds however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.
Convertibility
It is possible that your cot to last for a long time, and certain models are made to do that. Many popular cots can be converted into sofas for toddlers or toddlers. This allows you to continue using it well beyond the infant stage. These are more expensive as they need to hold the weight of the larger child for a longer period of time, however they can be a great value for money if you intend to use them until your baby is older.
A cot is also among the most crucial purchases you will make for your new arrival, and it's vital 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 also make sure that it has a base that is fully slatted and does not have gaps on all sides. If it does not then you'll need to buy a separate bed mattress.
Some affordable cots are also equipped with additional features, such as a storage drawer and teething rails that can help save space and make parenting life simpler. Others are easy to assemble and are ideal when you're short on time or worried about putting it together. The John Lewis cot bed, for example, was rated by one our mom testers as the most simple flatpack to put together and comes with clear instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another option. It has a classic design and comes in a range of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It can be converted to a toddler bed by taking one side off the cot. It can then be transformed into a junior cot with the addition a footboard. It's also available in a range of sizes to fit your room, and one of our test parents reported that hers had lasted through three children.
Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It has an modular design that allows it to be expanded into various configurations. The mini model can be used from birth and with the addition of the side, it could be transformed into a toddler's bed. When your child reaches an older age, you can make the switch to a junior bed. It's also a top option for aesthetics, with our panel loving natural finish and smooth oval shape.