Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots are designed to keep infants from climbing out of the bed or becoming suffocated if they fall into gaps between the mattress and the cot. They shouldn't have sharp edges or protrusions.
Most cots are designed with four sides that are secure, ensuring your baby's security at all times. Many cots come in fixed-size and can be converted into a toddler bed when your child gets older.
Standard Cots
Standard cots are great for small nursery settings and can be easily placed on top of parents' beds and allow parents to watch their child while they rest. They have sides that are fixed to prevent infants from climbing over them. However, once babies are able to crawl and stand up, these sides can become dangerous and therefore they need to be removed to prevent your child from falling off of the their bed or causing injury to themselves.
Cots are shaped in a circular manner which can help save space. They are also smaller than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a safe and comfortable space for your child to sleep. They are easy to move between rooms and are usually on wheels or castors to enable you to move them easily.
Some cots come with extra features such as drawers with teething rails or teething rails however, many are basic and basic. The best cots are made of natural materials because they are more durable and resistant to wear and tear. It is important to keep them free of stuffed animals or pillows, since they could cause suffocation for children.
A cot-bed can be a bigger version of a cot with a removable side and end panels. It can be converted into a toddler's bed once your baby grows out of it. This feature is particularly useful when you plan to have more than one child since it removes the necessity of switching between different kinds of furniture, and also saves money on buying separate beds. The majority of cot-beds are suitable from birth until around two years of age depending on the weight and size of your infant.
Drop-side Cots
A cot that has drop sides is perfect for those who suffer from back pain since it means that you do not have to bend over the side as much. Back pain is a common issue for pregnant women and newly mothers, particularly those who have suffered back injuries in the past.
This kind of cot allows you to reach your baby more easily throughout the day, without having to lift them or worry about your back. It is important to ensure that there is a minimum of 4cm between the base and the mattress to avoid your child from climbing out.
If you're unsure the best cot for your child's needs, we recommend getting in touch with Baby's Hyperstore to discuss your options. We can help you choose a stylish and safe cot that can grow along with your child and meet all the mandatory safety standards.
Our top pick is the John Lewis Elementary cot which was a top performer in our tests for being easy to construct. Mom tester Gina said it was "a dream to construct - very clear instructions and pictures". It includes teething rail, a drawer for storage and 3 different mattress height positions.
The cot's durability and solid structure makes it an excellent choice for babies who sleep through the night. But make sure that the cot is made from a safe material like solid wood and that the slats have been fixed in a proper manner and not too loose.
Verify that the cot has been certified to meet British safety standards. Before 2011, US cots were not tested in the same manner as UK models and this led to dangerous designs being banned in the USA. Choose a cot that has 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 pull the side down in order to climb out.
Corner Cots
While photos of styled nursery pictures may show blankets artistically draped around a cot, according to Red Nose, a charity campaigning to eradicate sudden infant deaths, all fabrics placed in the vicinity of the baby must be tucked in tightly to reduce the possibility of being suffocated. Red Nose warns that curtains and blinds should not be left hanging over the cot as they could strangle babies or cause them to crash their heads as they move around in their sleep.
This cot-bed that is minimalistic is a budget buy, but it's surprisingly durable. It's suitable for babies all the way to toddlers. It has a wide range of mattress positions and is easily converted into a toddler bed by removing one side panel. It's also a great option for parents with ceilings that slope as it has castors that lock to prevent the cot from falling down.
This wooden cot bed in vintage style is another cot that is easily converted. It can be used by children from birth to age 4. It has an unique oval shape that means it won't get stuck in corners and can easily fit through standard door frames. The cot can also be transformed into a stylish bench bed for a child who is older by lifting the bars.
This curve-shaped cot-bed is an excellent investment that will make a stunning centrepiece for any nursery. It comes in a stylish green and off-white. It's a great option for parents seeking a durable item. It can be converted into a bed for toddlers by removing its sides or into a twin bed for older children when the front rails are removed. It's also incredibly sturdy and comes with a storage drawer as well as teething rails, as well as a handy hanging rail for muslins or blankets.
Cots with Drawers
If you're looking for additional storage space for your baby's clothes or bedding, or you want a design that will adapt to their needs, there are plenty of options on the market. Some cots convert to toddler beds, making the transition over simple when your child outgrows it. Some include drawers built in to store things in and some include a changing station included!
It's handy to have a cot that has drawers for all the toys, blankets, muslins, or other items that your child enjoys. It is also easier to clean up since everything is in one place. A lot of these cots come with anti-bite strips of plastic on the sides - great for teething babies!
The Ikea Sniglar is an excellent choice if you are on a tight budget and still want a stylish, practical cot. It's slimline and simple design will fit in any room. It can be used with a standard cot mattress and has three heights that can be adjusted to allow your baby to grow with it. It can be transformed into a toddler's bed by removing the side panel. There are matching furniture pieces to accompany it.
It's not an easy thing to assemble (one of our testers complained that the instructions were unclear) However, once it's constructed it is light and durable. It also has an added benefit: a tilting function that can aid in treating colic or reflux. It's also available in a range of colors, so you can match it with other furniture in the nursery for a cohesive look.
Cots with Storage
If you wish to keep your baby's toys and bedding out of sight however, they are still within reach, a cot with storage options is the best choice. The majority of cots have a handy drawer where you can put away a lot of your essentials, and some have hanging rails for muslin clothes or blankets as well as teething rails to shield the sides of your cot from your child's tooth-gnashing urges.
Depending on the style of your cot, you may be able to convert it into a toddler bed or day bed if your child is ready for a change and some transform into a junior bed once your child turns five. This provides you with great value for money and ensures that your cot will remain an integral part of your family for a long time to come, but be sure to check the dimensions to ensure it's appropriate for your nursery before buying.
If you're looking for a chic cot that can be used from birth until two years and will grow with your child take a look at the Obaby Stamford Luxury Sleigh Cotbed. This classic crib is simple in its design but offers plenty of features, including an under-bed storage drawer, teething rail and adjustable height levels. best cots uk is easy to put together, with alphabetically labeled parts and clear instructions.
If you are looking for a more modern sleep solution The SNOO Smart Sleeper is a baby cot, bassinet and moses basket all in one. It's set to revolutionize the way that babies sleep and is backed up by the expertise of international sleep experts. It's an investment, however it may be priced out of the budget of many families. Learn more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our full review.