Buying Small Cot Beds

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

This model is ideal for bedrooms with small spaces. It's light and stroller-style. It's also the most simple flatpack to put together.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots, but still provide all the security and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used until your toddler is ready for an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models can be converted into a stylish couch bed for older kids.

To help you make the most of your space, look for the right model that will fit with your existing bedroom furniture, or one that you can easily dismantle and reassemble when you want to make room for other baby items. You might also want to think about a compact cot bed that has built-in storage or an all-purpose design that incorporates a chest of drawers with a changing table and bench seat into a single piece of furniture.

You can find a wide range of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup and, therefore, regardless of whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's something to meet your needs. Many of the designs featured in our roundup include an adjustable bed, making it easier to keep your child's bedding neat and tidy.

It's important that you determine the size of your nursery prior to buying a cot. The gap between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is for safety reasons.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a crib that accommodates a 120x60cm standard mattress and has an elegant sleigh-style frame. It is built to last, with high-quality materials and sturdy construction. It's also simple to adapt to your baby's changing needs. It's more expensive than the other cots in our list and you'll have to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas Papas Franklin cot which we believe to be the most value cot, is another great option for a compact nursery. It comes with a variety of extra features such as teething rails. There are two height positions which can be adjusted to suit the baby's development. It's also easy to assemble. It includes a mattress but you'll need to buy another one for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

As a parent you want your baby to have a comfortable, safe sleeping environment and one of the best things you can do to ensure they get an adequate night's sleep is to select a small cot bed that has a comfortable mattress. These mattresses are firmer than standard cot mattresses but are soft enough to ensure that your baby gets a good night sleep.

They are cushioned to prevent the accumulation of heat that can cause discomfort in certain babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of irritants, chemicals and other substances that can cause irritation to the skin of your baby's.

Typically, these kinds of mattresses are a great option for back and side sleepers since they provide excellent support for the neck and head as well as body. They can also be used with the cot's built-in cradling, which parents have found to be helpful for colic and reflux.

It is crucial to measure the size of the mattress and ensure that it can fit into the base of the cot prior to buying a cot that is small. Find out if the cot mattress has any specific rules or regulations, such as the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design from Vox is a great choice for parents who are looking for a cot that grows with their child. It's a cot which converts to a toddler bed. This will save you the expense of buying a new bed for your child when they are ready.

The user-friendly configuration of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace noted that it "came from the box and was unfolded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds into itself without any complicated mechanisms to handle. It is also compact and lightweight, fitting into a carry case that's slightly larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting this cot from grandparents at their homes.

This cot is extremely comfy despite its size being higher than other models from our tried-and-tested line-up. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy base that absorbs the weight, but not making your baby feel like they're in a bouncer. It's a stable, solid option for back and side sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers might have a problem with it.

Safety

It is essential to make sure that the cot bed you choose is safe for your baby. Look out for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into a toddler bed. Check that it is the right size for the nursery and has enough space for your child to be safe. It should be at minimum 140cm x 70cm and there shouldn't be gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is firm and lies flat inside the cot. It could pose a suffocation hazard if it is soft or old, or damaged. Examine for any sagging areas that could pose a danger and then test how the mattress springs back when pressing on it. A high-quality mattress for cots should feel firm and lie flat when you press down on the middle of it.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers, and anything else which could pose a choking risk. It's important that babies can move freely and turn over during sleep. If your crib has a drop-side be sure to check it regularly to ensure the mechanism locks securely.

Avoid placing your cot near the heat source or a window that is sunny. It could become too warm or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot away from cords on wall mounted curtains as well as baby monitor cables and other accessories with long cords. These cords can strangle babies, and older children could reach out to grab bars for their cot or pull themselves up.

For Scandi style and a top-quality finish the cot is worth the cost over the cheaper alternatives. It's not the easiest to put together however the instructions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not expensive, but it will last into their toddler years.

Design

It is important to consider that you are likely investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. In contrast to cribs that are used for a limited period of time, cots and beds are suitable from the time the time when a child can safely transition into a toddler or a single bed. To ensure the cot you buy will last, search for a model that has adjustable heights for the base. This feature lets you lower the mattress in height as your child grows, making sure they are secure and comfortable for a longer time.

A great design feature is the ability to remove the cot bars into sections. This is a great way to give your little one a feeling of independence once they begin toddle, and will assist them in and out of their bed with ease. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be transformed into a sofa simply by removing the front.

The slatted design of many cots is an excellent choice for a small space, also, since it helps air circulate and regulate your baby's temperature. This can make a huge difference when it comes to comfort, and could make the difference to ensure that your child gets a restful night's sleep.

A compact cot, also known as a the cot-bed, is an excellent investment for your baby’s security and sleep habits. It's also an ideal addition to any nursery. With so many styles to pick from, it's always worth taking the time to look through the entire selection of cots and cots on offer at Cuckooland to find the style that's perfect for you.

You'll also find that an array of accessories, including baby bumpers and soft duvets made of premium bed linen, are available for each cot to complete the look. This makes it simple to create a warm and comfortable environment for your baby's to get the best quality sleep, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.