How to Choose the Best Cots in the UK<br /><br />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 an anti-bite plastic strip that runs across the top rails.<br /><br />This crib is the solution for your child who is fussy. It makes soft sounds that sound like a baby's womb.<br /><br />Size<br /><br />A cot that is the right size is a compromise between giving your baby the space to grow and not overcrowding the nursery by massive beds. The standard UK cot mattress size is 70cm x 140cm, that should be enough for babies between three and four years old. However, some cots come with curved corners or other features which can create problems with the size of a mattress, therefore it is worth double checking the footprint of your cot prior to making a purchase.<br /><br />There are plenty of stores on the high street that offer the wide selection of cots, including Dunelm and Ikea. Some also have a return policy, which means you can return the cot if it does not meet your needs. <a href="https://www.cots4tots.co.uk/">cots4tots.co.uk</a> 's also a good idea to shop on the internet, as you will gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot and how it will appear in your nursery.<br /><br />If you're looking for the best cot, try the SNOO Smart Sleeper. This cot monitors your baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve peaceful sleep. it can be used with any cot or crib. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or with breathing difficulties, and it can even monitor their sleep patterns and help you understand the routines of your little one.<br /><br />Stokke Sleepi Cot is another excellent option. The cot is minimalistic, constructed of solid beech, has an adjustable panel that can be transformed into a toddler's bed. It also offers a wide variety of mattress positions which means you can alter the size of your child's bed as they expand. It's an excellent choice for bedrooms with small spaces or with a sloped ceiling. Our panel also found it easy to assemble.<br /><br />Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a range of finishes from white to dark slate gray, and is suitable from birth up until your child is four. It has three mattress height settings, which will help you easily reach your baby, and can be converted into an infant bed by removing the sides and adding a footboard. The cot includes a mattress and is FSC certified.<br /><br />Safety<br /><br />Cots and cots are essential for the nursery of your baby however, they must be secure. Choose a cot that has been certified to comply with 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.<br /><br />If buying a secondhand cot, ensure it's not too old since paint could contain lead which is harmful to babies. Check for signs that the cot has been used, particularly on the sides, where a child could rub their hands. This can cause irritation to the skin. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that may fall off, creating an choking risk for your baby.<br /><br />Some cots are equipped with additional features, such as teething rails, storage drawers, and storage drawers. One of our mum test subjects particularly liked this model from John Lewis which is both fashionable and practical. "It's extremely simple to put together, with every piece labeled alphabetically," she said, adding that it is also one of the most simple cots to convert into the toddler bed. The cot also comes with an optional drawer that helps you keep the nursery tidy and comes with three adjustable heights so you can use it as your child grows.<br /><br /><br /><br />Another consideration is the depth of the cot. It is recommended to choose a cot with a minimum depth of 50cm, as this will prevent your child from climbing the cot as they become more mobile. It is also worth considering the type of cot mattress you'll need, since there are many choices out available from foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials that are suitable for allergy sufferers. You may also want to think about purchasing a cot protector to protect your mattress from spills and stains if you plan to purchase an entirely new cot. If you're purchasing an older cot, it's worth getting a professional to assess its safety and repair any damage. This will cost you around PS100 however it's worthwhile for peace of mind.<br /><br />Style<br /><br />It's easy to get bogged down on safety and spec when shopping for a baby but remember to think about style. It's important to choose the right cot for the nursery of your baby and your decor. Numerous cots and beds are available in various colors and designs that can be matched to the furniture and interiors of your nursery that you choose for your baby's bedroom.<br /><br />The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed illustrates how stylish a crib could be. Its storage drawer underneath the bed is a useful feature that has helped it get top marks on our panel, and teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as functional as it is stylish. The cot is easy to put together, even though it comes flat-packed, with simple instructions and labelled parts.<br /><br />Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish functional cot. It blends the Scandi style with the practicality of being able grow with' your child. It can be used as a cot right from birth until the time your child is five, when you can transform it to a toddler's bed by cutting off a corner. Its smooth oval finish and sturdy construction impressed our test subjects, but the price tag might be a problem for some.<br /><br />If you select an item with bars that are too close together, your baby could become trapped or choke. It is also important to ensure that the drop-side mechanism operates well and efficiently, and can't be easily lowered by your child. If you select a cot with bars that are too close together the baby could get trapped or choke, and you should also check that the drop-side mechanism operates smoothly and reliably and isn't easily lowered by your child.<br /><br />It is also important to ensure that the cot you buy conforms to UK safety standards, which is usually BS EN 716, and in the event that it is converted into bed, BS 8509, which has an anti-bite strip across the top of the bars. This information is usually found in the description of the product for cots or cot beds, however, you can also look it up on the website of the seller.<br /><br />Convertibility<br /><br />Some models are built to last for an extended period of time. The majority of popular cots can be converted into toddler beds or sofas. This allows you to keep using it after the baby stage. They tend to be more expensive because they have to support the weight of the larger child for a longer period of time, but they can provide excellent value for money if you intend to continue using them once your baby is older.<br /><br />It is crucial to ensure that the cot you choose meets UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product's page to confirm this, and also make sure that it has a base that is completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in all of the sides. If it is not then you'll need to purchase a new mattress for your bed.<br /><br />Some cots come with extra features such as a storage drawer and teething rails, which can help you reduce space and make parenting experience simpler. Some are simple to put together and are ideal when you're not able to complete the task in time or are concerned about putting it all together yourself. One of our mom test subjects has rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.<br /><br />The Boori cot is a different option. It has a classic style and comes in a range of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It can be turned into a toddler bed by removing one of the sides of the cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot by the addition a footboard. It comes in different sizes that can be adapted to your space. One of our testers said that her bed was able to last through three children.<br /><br />Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has a modular design that allows you to build it into various configurations. The mini model is suitable for use from birth however, with the addition of an additional side, it can be converted into an infant's bed. Once your child reaches an older age, you can upgrade to an adult bed. It's also a top choice for aesthetics with our panel-loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.<br /><br />