Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to get caught up in the safety and features when you're looking for a compact bed. But don't forget about the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can help make smaller rooms appear larger and less cluttered.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight, this model is a good choice for smaller bedrooms. It's the simplest flatpack assembly.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots but still provide all the safety and comfort features your baby requires. They can be used until your toddler is ready to move on to an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models can be turned into a chic couch bed to use with older children.

Find a product that can be easily dismantled and reassembled in the event that you need to store other baby things. You might also want to think about a compact cot bed with built-in storage or an all-purpose design that incorporates a chest of drawers as well as a changing unit and bench seat into a single piece of furniture.

You can find a wide selection of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup which means that no matter if you have a small nursery or a spacious playroom there should be something to meet your needs. Many of the designs on our list come with an adjustable mattress that makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding clean and tidy.

When you are choosing a cot it is essential to determine the size of your nursery and verify the dimensions to make sure it's appropriate before making your purchase. The distance between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is to ensure safety.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot which can accommodate a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and features stunning sleigh-style frames. It's built to last, with a sturdy build and quality materials, and is simple to adjust to your baby's needs as they grow. However, it's a more expensive option than some of the other online cots on our list and you'll have to purchase a mattress separately when you pick this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is another great choice for a smaller nursery and it's our pick of the best infant cribs value cot. It's packed full of extra features, including teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows. It's also incredibly simple to put together. The mattress is included, but a second one will be required to accommodate the toddler transition.

Comfort

As a parent, you want your baby to have an enjoyable, safe sleeping environment and one of the most beneficial ways to ensure an excellent night's rest is to select a small cot bed with a comfy mattress. These mattresses are more rigid than the traditional cot mattress however they are soft enough to ensure that your child gets a good night's sleep.

They are cushioned to reduce the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used on the mattress are also free of irritants and chemicals to ensure that they don't irritate your baby's delicate skin.

Typically, these kinds of mattresses are a great option for back and side sleepers as they provide good support for neck and head as well as body. These mattresses can be utilized together with the built-in cradle of the cot, which is useful for those suffering from reflux or colic.

It is important to measure the mattress's size and make sure that it fits in the base of the cot prior buying a cot that is small. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, for instance a minimum thickness.

If you're looking for a cot bed that can expand with your child, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It is initially an cot, but it can be converted into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from having to purchase another bed when your baby is ready to use it.

The simple configuration of this cot was praised by our panel. Mum Grace stated that it "came from the box and was unfolded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds up, with no complicated mechanisms to handle. It's also compact and lightweight, fitting neatly into a bag slightly bigger than a camp chair's case, and is ideal for taking it to grandparents' houses.

Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried and tested line-up, this cot feels extremely comfortable. It's designed to feel like an actual mattress and has plenty of padding and a bouncy base that carries weight without making your baby feel like they're bouncing around in a bouncer. It's a stable, solid option for side and back sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers may be a bit uncomfortable with it.

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby, it's essential to verify that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to meet. You should look for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you're looking to convert it into a toddler's bed. Make sure it's the right size for the nursery and is big enough for your child to rest comfortably. It should be 140cm x 70cm and have no gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is flat and firm. It could pose an entrapment hazard when it is squishy or old, or damaged. Check for any areas of sagging which could be hazardous, and test to see how quickly the mattress springs back after pressing down on it. If you press the middle of a quality cot-mattress, it will feel solid.

Keep the cot free of toys, stickers and other items that could cause choking. Babies should be able to move around easily and roll during their sleep, so it's important that the cot doesn't have raised corners or cut-outs they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot features drop-sides, make sure you check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secured.

It's recommended 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. Keep the cot far away from wall mounted curtains and baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. The cords could strangle infants, and older children could reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.

For Scandi style and a high-quality finish, this cot is worth the cost over the cheaper alternatives. The instructions are clear and the wood is solid. It takes a while to assemble. It's not expensive, but it will last your child until they reach the age of toddlers.

Design

It's important to keep in mind that you are likely investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a bed that is small. In contrast to cribs, which are used only for a short time, cots are appropriate from the time a child is born until they can easily transition to a toddler bed or kids single bed. Look for a cot with an adjustable base height to ensure it will last. This feature allows you lower the mattress in height to suit your baby's growth, keeping them secure and comfortable.

A great design feature is the capability to remove cot bars in sections. This will provide your child with a sense of independence when they begin to crawl and make it easier for them to get into and out of bed. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa by taking out the front.

The slatted design of a lot of cribs is a good option for small spaces, in addition, it assists air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a huge difference in terms of comfort and can help ensure that your baby gets a restful night.

A small cot or bed is a fantastic investment for your baby's sleep habits and safety, and can be a beautiful accessory to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to pick from.

For each cot, there's an array of accessories such as soft duvets, plus premium bedding. This makes it simple to create a warm and welcoming environment for your baby to get the best cots sleep possible and ensures that they are enjoying every aspect of their new home.