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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's also neat by having a drawer and an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails.
This crib with smart technology could be the solution to soothe your baby who is a bit fussy. It makes soft sounds that sound like the mother's womb.
Size
A cot that is the right size balances providing your baby with space to grow, and not overcrowding the nursery with massive beds. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm by 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most babies until they are around three years of age. Some cots may have curving edges or other features that can impact the size of a bed mattress. It is therefore important to double check your cot's footprint prior to purchasing.
You can find cots at many high-street retailers, including Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers have a return policy so you can swap out a cot that doesn't fit your needs. You can also get a better feel for the size of each cot and how it will fit in your nursery by shopping online.
If you're looking for a top-notch cot, try the SNOO Smart Sleeper. The cot listens to your baby's cries and responds by gently rocking the baby to sleep, imitating the sounds of the womb. This technology helps your baby to get a good night's sleep. It can be used in any cot or crib. It's a great option for fussy newborns and babies who have breathing issues, and it can even track their sleep cycles and help you understand the habits 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 bed. It comes with a variety mattress bases, which means you can alter the height of your child's sleeping area to suit their needs. It's also a great choice for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings and our panel found it simple to assemble.
Another cot that is budget-friendly is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It is available in a variety of colors from white to dark slate gray, and can be used from birth up until your child reaches the age of four. It comes with three mattress height settings, which will help you easily reach your baby, and can be converted into a toddler bed by removing the sides and adding the footboard. The cot includes a mattress and is FSC certified.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are a crucial part of your baby's nursery however, they must be safe as well. Find a cot that has been certified to meet the British safety standards and carries the code BS EN 716. It should have a flat and firm mattress, and should not be stuffed with duvets or bumpers which aren't recommended cribs.
If you are buying a secondhand cot, ensure it's not too old since paint could contain lead which can be harmful to infants. Be sure to look for signs that the cot has been used, particularly along the sides, where children might rub their hands. This can cause skin irritation. Examine any stickers or transfers that may be removed, posing the risk of choking your baby.
Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum test subjects praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and functional. "It's very easy to put together, with all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, noting that it's one of the easiest cots available to transform into a toddler bed. The cot comes with a drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also has three heights that are adjustable, so you can make it suitable for your growing child.
The depth of the cot is another important aspect to consider. Look for a cot that is at least 50cm deep, as this will stop your child from climbing out when they start to become more mobile. It is also worth considering the kind of mattress you'll require, as there are a myriad of options there from foam spring interiors, spring interiors, or natural materials for allergy sufferers. It is also advisable to consider buying a cot protector to protect your mattress from stains and spills when you are planning to purchase a brand new cot. It's worth hiring a professional to inspect the safety of your used cot and repair any damage. This will usually cost about PS100 but it's worth the investment for peace of mind.
Style
When shopping for a child, it's easy to be engrossed in the safety and specifications. However, don't forget about the design. It's important to choose the cot that is in keeping with your baby's nursery as well as your decor. Luckily, many cots and cot beds are available in a variety of colors and designs that are perfect for any nursery furniture or interiors you have selected for your baby's first bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a great example of how stylish a cot can be. The under-bed storage drawer was a feature that earned it high scores from our panel. Teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this bed functional and stylish. The cot is easy to assemble, even though it comes flat-packed, with simple instructions and labeled parts.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a chic, functional cot. It blends the Scandi style with the practicality of being able grow with' your child. It can be used from birth as a cot, or until your child is five years older, at which point it can be converted into a toddler bed by the removal of a side. Our test subjects were awed by its high-quality design and smooth oval shape but it may be a bit costly for some.
A cot is a safe and secure place for your baby to sleep both at night and during the day however it is essential that you go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them carefully to ensure your baby is snug and secure. If you select a cot with bars that are too close together your baby may get trapped or choke. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the mechanism for dropping works smoothly and reliably and cannot be easily removed by your child.
If you are buying an cot that converts to a mattress, ensure that it meets UK safety standards. They are typically BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which include an anti-bite strip that is placed on the bar's top. This information is usually included in the product description of the cot or bed, but you can also check the retailer's website.
Convertibility
You might want your cot to last a long time and some models are made to do that. The majority of popular cots can be turned into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you continue using it long after the infant stage. They cost more as they are required to support an overweight child for a longer period of time. However they are an excellent investment if you intend to use them for a long time after your baby cots on sale has developed.
A cot is also one of the most crucial purchases you will make for your new arrival, and it's vital to ensure it meets strict UK safety standards. Check 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 completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in all of the sides. If it doesn't, you will have to purchase a separate mattress for your bed.
Some cots are also equipped with extra features like teething rails, which can help to save space and make your parenting experience easier. Some affordable cots are easy to put together, which is ideal in case you're running out of time or are concerned about putting them together by yourself. One of our mum testers rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures.
Another option is the beautiful Boori cot, which is an elegant design and comes with a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be turned into a toddler bed, by taking one side off the sale cot. Then, it can be converted into a junior cot by the addition a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to suit your space, and one of our test parents said hers had lasted through three children.
Stokke Sleepi is another great option. It comes with a modular design which allows it to be expanded into various configurations. The mini model is suitable for use from birth, but with the addition a side it can be transformed into the bed of a toddler. Once your child is older you can make the switch to an adult bed. Our panel chose it due to its design. They were enthralled by the natural finish and the oval shape.