Buying Small Cot Beds

When you are looking for a compact cot bed, it’s easy to get caught up on the spec and safety features but consider the design too. A well-designed cot can make a room feel bigger and less cluttered.

This model is ideal for smaller bedrooms. It’s lightweight and stroller-style. It’s also the simplest flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

Cot beds are scaled down versions of traditional cots however, they still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby needs. They are suitable from birth or until your toddler is ready to move up to a junior bed (around the age of 2). Some models can be converted into a chic couch bed for older kids.

Find a product that can be easily dismantled and rebuilt in case you want to make space for other baby items. Consider a cot-bed that is compact with built-in storage, or a multi-functional design that includes a changing unit, chest of drawers and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

You can find a wide variety of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup, so regardless of whether you have a tiny nursery or a spacious playroom there should be something to fit your space. Many of the designs in our roundup come with an adjustable bed, making it easier to keep your child’s bedding neat and tidy.

When you are choosing a cot it is essential to take measurements of the space in your nursery and check the dimensions to make sure it will fit before making your purchase. The gap between the bars should be no more than 6.5cm. This is to ensure safety.

Our real mothers loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot that can accommodate the standard 120 x 60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful frame that resembles a sleigh. It’s built to last, with high-quality materials and a sturdy structure. It is also easy to adjust to your baby’s increasing requirements. It is more expensive than other cots in our list and you’ll have to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best rated cribs value cot, is another great option for a compact nursery. It’s packed full of extra features including 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. The mattress is included, however another one will be required for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will help your baby sleep well. These mattresses are more rigid than traditional cot mattresses but are soft enough to ensure your child gets a good night sleep.

The cushioning of these mattresses helps in preventing heat retention, which may cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants, chemicals and other substances that can cause irritation to your baby’s skin.

Typically, these mattresses are also a good cribs choice for side and back sleepers, as they provide great support for the neck, head and body. They can also be used with the Mini Cot Bed‘s built-in cradling feature, which parents have found to be beneficial for reflux and colic.

When choosing a small mattress cot bed that has a cushioned mattress it is important to determine the dimensions of the mattress and if it will fit inside the base of the cot. You should also determine if there are any other specific rules and regulations to follow when purchasing mattresses for cots, such as the minimum thickness.

If you’re in search of an cot that can grow with your child take a look at this adaptable design from Vox. It’s a cot which converts to a toddler bed. This saves you the expense of buying an entirely new bed for your child once they are ready.

Our panel of test participants was impressed by the simple setup of this cot and easy setup, with mom tester Grace noting that it “came out of the box and unfolded like a camp chair”. The middle joints snap into place and the cot folds up without a complicated mechanism to handle. It’s also lightweight and compact and can easily fit into a bag that’s slightly bigger than a camp chair’s case, and is ideal for taking it to grandparents’ houses.

This cot is extremely comfy despite its size being higher than other models in our tried-and-tested collection. It’s designed to feel as an actual mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that carries the weight, but not making your baby feel like they’re bouncing around in a bouncer. It’s a stable, solid alternative for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers may be a bit uncomfortable with it.

Safety

It is essential to ensure that the cot bed you choose is safe for your baby. Look for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you’re looking 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 room for a safe sleep for your little one. It should be 140cm x 70cm and should not have gaps around the corners or edges.

Make sure the mattress is flat and firm. It could be a suffocation hazard in the event that it is soft or worn out. Check for any areas of sagging that could be dangerous, and test to see how quickly the mattress will spring back after pressing it. A high-quality mattress for cots should feel solid and flat when you press down on the centre of it.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers, and anything else which could be a danger to choking. Babies must be able to move easily and roll over throughout their sleep, which is why it’s essential that the cot does not have raised corners or cut-outs could be used as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop-side check it frequently to ensure the mechanism locks securely.

It’s important to avoid placing a cot next to an open window or a radiator in case they become too hot or get sunburned upon waking up. You should also keep the cot away from wall mounted curtain cords or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative accessories with long cords. Babies can get caught by these cords, while older children may get themselves caught on them or reach out to grab the cot bars.

This cot is definitely worth the extra expense If you’re looking for an Scandi-style design and a high quality finish. It’s a bit time-consuming to put together but the directions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It’s not cheap but it will last your child until they reach the age of toddlers.

Design

When looking for a compact cot bed, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re investing in a long-term piece of furniture. Unlike cribs, which are only used for a short time, cots are suitable from the moment a baby is born until they’re able to easily transition to an adult bed or a single bed. Look for a cot with an adjustable base height to ensure that it will last. This feature lets you lower the mattress height as your child grows, making sure they are secure and comfortable for a longer time.

One of the most useful features of the design is the ability to take out cot bars in sections. This will provide your child with the feeling of independence as they begin to play and make it easier for them to get into and out of bed. Some cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa simply by removing the front.

Many cots feature slatted designs that are ideal for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a huge difference in comfort and can make all the difference when trying to ensure your baby gets a restful night’s sleep.

A small cot or cot bed is an excellent investment for your baby’s sleep habits and safety, and can be an attractive addition to any nursery setting. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to pick from.

For each cot, you’ll find a variety of accessories such as soft duvets and premium bed linen. This makes it simple to create a cozy and comfortable environment for your baby’s to get the best cot newborn quality sleep, and ensures they’re enjoying every aspect of their new home.