Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Mini Cot Bed stop infants from falling out of bed or suffocating when they fall between the mattress and cot. They should have no sharp edges or protrusions.
The majority of cots have four secure sides to ensure your baby's security throughout the day. They usually come in an unchanging size, and can be converted to an infant bed as your child grows up.
Standard Cots
Standard cots are ideal for small nurseries and can be fitted alongside parents' beds which allows parents to watch their baby whilst they sleep. They are designed to be secure and safe with fixed sides that stop children from climbing over the sides. Once your baby is capable of standing and crawling, these sides are an hazard to safety and should be removed.
Cots are generally circular in shape to reduce space and are more compact than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a comfortable and safe space for your baby to sleep. They are able to be easily moved between spaces and are often on wheels or castors that enable you to move them around easily.
Many cots are simple and basic. Some have extra features like teething rails or drawers for storage. The best cots are made of natural materials as these are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. They should be free of any toys or pillows since they can create a risk of suffocation for children who are still young.
A cot-bed is a larger version of a cot with removable sides and end panels. It can be converted into a toddler's bed once your child grows out of it. This feature is especially useful when you are planning to have more than one child, as it eliminates having to switch between different types and reduces costs by not purchasing separate beds. The majority of cot beds can be used right from birth until your child is two years old, based on their weight and size.
Drop-side Cots
A cot that has a drop side is ideal if you suffer from back pain as it means you don't have to bend over the side as much. This is crucial as back pain is among the most common problems amongst pregnant women and new parents particularly those who have previously hurt their backs.
This kind of cot lets you to reach your baby more easily throughout the day, without having to lift them or worry about your back. But, you must ensure that the gap between the base of the cot and the mattress is at a minimum of 4cm so that your child isn't able to climb out.
We recommend that you contact us at Baby's Hyperstore if are unsure about which the best cot for your needs. We can discuss your options. We can assist you in finding an elegant, safe cot that can grow with your child, meeting all safety standards required by law.
Our top pick is the John Lewis Elementary cot which scored excellent marks in our tests for being simple to put together. Gina mom test-sitting said it was "a easy assembly with clearly and with illustrations". It comes with teething rails, a drawer for storage and three different mattress height positions.
The cot is an excellent option for babies that sleep all night. It is important to ensure that the slats on the cot's frame are securely fixed and not too loose.
Check to see if the cot is certified to be in compliance with British safety standards. Prior to 2011, US cots were not tested in the same manner as UK models and this has led to some dangerous designs being prohibited in the USA. Find a cot with an auto-locking drop side in the up position. It will require two consecutive actions to unlock. This will stop your child from being able to lower the side to climb out.
Corner Cots
Red Nose, an organization which works to stop sudden infant deaths syndrome, says that any fabric placed close to the baby should be secured tightly to avoid the possibility of the baby suffocating. Red Nose advises that curtains or blinds shouldn't be left hanging over the cot, since they could be strangulation hazards and babies can catch their heads against them when they slumber during their sleep.
This minimalist cot-bed is a bargain, but it's surprisingly robust. It's suitable for infants up to toddlers. It has a wide range of mattress base positions and is easily transformed into an infant bed by removing one side panel. It's an ideal choice for parents with high ceilings that slope. It has lockable castors that prevent the cot falling down.
Another cot that is easy to convert, this old-fashioned wooden cot bed can be used from birth until 4 years old. It has an unusual oval shape that means it won't be stuck in corners and can easily pass through standard door frames. The cot can also be transformed into a stylish bench-style bed for an older child by taking the bars off.
This curving cot-bed is a high-quality investment that will create an impressive centerpiece for any nursery. It is available in off-white and stylish green. It's a top option for parents who value durability, since it can be made into a toddler bed by removing the sides and into a twin bed for an older child by cutting off the front rails. It's also extremely durable and has a storage area with teething rails as well as an ideal hanger for blankets or muslins.
Cots with Drawers
There are a variety of options on the market, whether you're looking for extra storage space for your baby's bedding or clothing or a design that can grow with them. Some cots can be converted into toddler beds, making the change over easy when your child is no longer in the habit of using it. Other cots have built in drawers for storage and others even include a changing station included!
A cot with drawers is great to store all your little one's favourite toys, muslin cloths or blankets in, and it also makes tidying up easier because you can put everything in the same space. A lot of these cots come with anti-bite plastic strips along the sides, which are great for babies who are teething!
The Ikea Sniglar is an excellent option if you're on a budget but still want a stylish, practical cot. It has a simple and slimline aesthetic that'll work well in all rooms. It can be used with an ordinary cot bed and has three adjustable heights for the base to increase as your child grows. It can be made into a toddler bed by taking out one of the side panels and there's a selection of matching furniture with it.
Although it can be tricky to construct (one of our testers complained that the instructions were not clear), once it's constructed it's light and durable. It also has an added benefit: a tilting function which can help with colic or reflux. It's also available in a variety of colors, meaning you can coordinate it with other nursery furnishings for a cohesive look.
Cots with Storage
If you wish to keep your baby's bedding and toys out of sight, but still within easy reach, a cot with storage will be ideal. The majority of cots have a handy drawer where you can keep a variety of items and some even have hanging rails for muslin cloths or blankets and teething rails to shield the cot sides from your little one's chewing urges.
It is possible to convert your cot into a daybed or toddler bed when your child is old enough to upgrade. Some cots can be converted into a junior bed once your child reaches 5. This provides you with great value for money and guarantees that your cot will be part of the family for years to come, but make sure to verify the dimensions to ensure it's a good fit for the nursery before purchasing.
If you're looking for a chic cot that can be used from birth to 2 years and will grow with your child, look no further than the Obaby Stamford Luxe Cotbed. The classic cot features an easy design, but it offers many features like an under-bed drawer to store items and a rail for teething and adjustable height levels. The cot is simple to put together, with alphabetically labeled parts and clear instructions.
For a more high-tech sleep solution, the SNOO Smart Sleeper is a bassinet, baby cot and moses basket in one. It's set to revolutionize the way babies sleep and is backed by expert advice from international sleep consultants. It's an investment, though it could be priced out of the budget of many families. Our full review will tell you more about the SNOO smart sleeper.