How to Choose the Best 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 tidy by having a drawer and a handy anti-bite plastic strip that runs across the top rails.

If your baby is a grumpy sleeper, this crib might be the solution. It responds to their cries by making soothing sounds that mimic the womb.

Size

A good cot size balances giving your baby room to grow and not overcrowding the nursery by massive beds. The standard UK cot size is 70cm by 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most babies until they reach around three years old. However, some cots feature curves or other features which can cause issues with the fit of a mattress. Therefore, it is worth double checking your cot's footprint before you buy.

You can find cots at a variety of high-street stores including Dunelm or Ikea. Many retailers have the option of a return policy, so you can swap out a cot that doesn't fit your needs. It's also worth shopping on the internet, as you will gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot, and the way it will look in your nursery.

If you're in search of a top-quality cot, check out the SNOO Smart Sleeper. The cot listens to the baby's crying and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, mimicking the sounds of the womb. This technology will help your baby cots online - www.buzzbii.com - get a good night's rest. It can be used in any crib or cot. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or with breathing difficulties, and it can even monitor their sleep patterns, which will help you understand the routines of your infant.

Another alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This cot that is minimalistic, made of solid beech, has a removable panel that can be transformed into a toddler's bed. It also comes with an impressive range of mattress bases, meaning you can customize the height of your child's sleeping area as they expand. It's also a good option for smaller rooms or ceilings that slope and our panel found it simple to assemble.

The Elementary cot, from John Lewis' Anyday Collection is a budget-friendly alternative. It comes in a variety of finishes from white to dark slate gray, and is suitable from birth up until your child reaches the age of four. It comes with three mattress height settings which will help you to reach your baby easily and can be turned into a toddler bed by taking out the sides and adding an additional footboard. The cot is FSC certified and includes a mattress.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an important element of the nursery for your baby, but they must be safe too. Find an cot that has been certified to meet the British safety standards and bears the code BS EN 716. It should have a flat, firm mattress and shouldn't be stuffed with duvets, pillows or bumpers that aren't recommended.

If you are buying a secondhand cot, be sure that it's not too old since paint can contain lead that is harmful to babies. Be sure to look for signs that the cot was used, particularly on the sides, where children may rub their hands. This can cause skin irritation. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that might peel off, posing an choking risk for your child.

Some cots have extra features, such as teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mom test subjects particularly liked this model from John Lewis which is both fashionable and practical. It's easy to put together and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also noted that it's also one of the most simple cribs that can be converted into a toddler-sized bed. The cot also comes with an optional drawer that helps keep the nursery organized and comes with three adjustable heights, so you can use it as your child grows.

The depth of the cot is another important factor to consider. You should choose the cot to have at least 50cm of depth to prevent your child from climbing the cot as they become more mobile. It is also worth thinking about the kind of mattress you'll need, as there are a myriad of options available from foam, spring interiors or natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you're considering buying a new cot, then you might be interested in a mattress protector to safeguard against spills or stains. It's a good idea to hire an expert to assess the safety of a used cot and repair any damage. This will cost you around PS100 however it's worth it to ensure your peace of mind.

Style

It's easy to get caught up with spec and safety when buying for a baby, but don't forget about the style. A cot is going to be used for a long time, so it's crucial to choose one that suits your baby's room and your decor. Many cots and beds are available in a variety of colors and designs to complement the furniture and interiors of your nursery that you select for your baby's bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib can be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a practical feature which made it a top pick with our panel, while teething rails and three adjustable mattress heights make this cot sales bed as useful as it is stylish. Our testers also loved that the cot was simple to construct and was delivered in a flatpack, complete with easy-to-follow instructions and labelled parts.

Another option for a stylish cot is the Stokke Sleepi, which combines the design of Scandi with the function of a cot which can grow with your child. It can be used as a cot from birth until the time your child is five, when you can transform it into a toddler's bed by cutting off a corner. Its sleek oval design and high-quality construction impressed our test subjects, but the price tag may be a hindrance for some.

A cot is a safe place for your baby to rest during the day and night It is important that you go through the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and follow them closely to ensure that your child is safe and comfortable. If you choose a cot with bars that are too closely separated, your child could become trapped or choke. You should also ensure that the mechanism for dropping is secure and doesn't allow your child to lower it.

If you're buying a cot that converts into a mattress, be sure it complies with UK safety standards. They are typically BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which include an anti-bite strip on the bar's top. This information is usually included in the description of the product for cots or cot beds however, you can also look it up on the retailer's website.

Convertibility

You might want your cot to last a long time and some models are designed to do just that. The majority of popular cots can be transformed into toddler beds or sofas. This lets you continue using it well beyond the infant stage. They tend to be more expensive due to the fact that they must support the weight of a larger child for a longer period of time, but they can provide excellent value for your money if you are planning to continue using them once your baby has grown.

A cot is also one of the most recommended cribs important purchases you'll make for your new baby, and it's vital to ensure that it complies with 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's completely slatted, and that there are no gaps in all of the sides. If it doesn't then you'll need to buy a separate mattress for your bed.

Some cots are equipped with additional features such as a drawer for storage or teething rails. They can save space and make life easier for parents. Some cots are simple to put together, which is great if you're short on time or are concerned about putting them together. The John Lewis cot bed, for instance, was rated by one our mom testers as the most simple flatpack to put together' and is complete with clear instructions and pictures.

The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a classic design and comes in a variety of finishes that will fit your nursery. It can be turned into a toddler bed, by removing one side of the cot. Then, it can be transformed into a junior cot with the addition a footboard. It is available in a variety of sizes that will fit your room. One of our testers said that her bed was able to last through three kids.

Another great choice is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an open design that allows you to expand it into different configurations. The mini model can be used from birth, but with the addition a side it can be transformed into a toddler's bed. When your child grows older, you can then upgrade to the junior bed. Our panel also chose it due to its design. They loved the natural finish and oval shape.