Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to get caught up in the safety and spec features when you're looking for a compact bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can help make the small space appear bigger and less clutter-filled.

This model is perfect for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's light and stroller-style. It's also the most simple flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

Cot beds are a smaller versions of traditional cots however, they still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models convert into a stylish sofa bed for use with older children, too.

To maximize your space, consider a model that fits in with the furniture in your bedroom or one that can easily disassemble and reassemble when you want to make room for other baby things. You may also want to consider a cot that is compact bed with built-in storage, or an all-purpose design that incorporates a chest of drawers, changing unit 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 which means that no matter if you have a small nursery cots or a spacious playroom there's a bed that will meet your needs. Many of the designs featured in our roundup have an adjustable bed, making it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.

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

Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot, which can fit an average 120x60cm mattress and comes with a beautiful frame that resembles a sleigh. It's constructed to last using high-quality materials and a sturdy structure. It's also simple to adapt to your child's increasing requirements. It is more expensive than the other cots in our list and you'll have to purchase a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot, which we consider to be the most value cot, is another ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It's packed full of extra features including teething rails as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's super-easy to put together too. The mattress is included, however an additional one will be required to accommodate the toddler transition.

Comfort

As a parent you want your child to have an enjoyable, safe sleep environment and one of the most beneficial options to ensure they get an adequate night's sleep is to choose a small cot bed with a comfy mattress. They are more firm than the traditional cot mattress but are soft enough to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep.

They are cushioned to reduce the retention of heat, which can cause discomfort in some babies. The materials used in the mattress are also free of irritants and chemicals to ensure they don't cause irritation to your baby's delicate skin.

Typically, these mattresses are a great choice for side and back sleepers as they provide good support for neck, head and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built in cradling feature, which many parents find to be helpful for reflux and colic.

When choosing a small cot bed with cushions, it's important to check the dimensions of the mattress and whether it will fit inside the base of the cot. It is also possible to determine whether there are specific rules and regulations you need to adhere to when purchasing mattresses for cots including the minimum thickness.

This adaptable design by Vox is a great option for parents who are looking for an cot that can grow with their child. It is initially a cot but can later be transformed into an infant bed, saving you from the expense of buying a new bed when your baby is ready to use it.

Our panel of test participants enjoyed the cot's simple setup and easy setup, with mom tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and folded like a chair for camping". The middle joints snap in place, and the cot folds into itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It's also lightweight and compact, fitting neatly into a bag slightly larger than a camp chair's case and ideal for transporting to grandparents' houses.

Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried-and tested line-up, this cot feels extremely comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a soft bottom that absorbs the weight, without making your child feel as if they're in the bouncer. It's also a sturdy stable and safe option for back and side sleepers but the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers may have issues with it.

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby, it's important to check that the cot bed is in compliance with the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. You should look for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into a toddler bed. It is also important to ensure that it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough space for a secure sleeping environment for your child. It should measure 140cm by 70cm and should not have gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. If it's a bit soft, old or damaged, this can cause suffocation. Examine for any areas of sagging which could be hazardous and test how the mattress springs back after pressing on it. When you press down on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress, it should feel firm.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, smudges, and anything else which could be a danger to choking. Babies should be able move freely and roll over throughout their sleep, which is why it's also important that the cot doesn't have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot is equipped with drop-sides, make sure you check it regularly to make sure the mechanism is secure.

It's recommended to avoid placing a cot near an open window or a radiator in case they get too hot or wake up with a sunburn. It is also important to keep your cot sale away from wall mounted curtain cords or baby monitor cables, as well as decorative 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 This cot is well worth the extra investment over other cheaper options. The instructions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It takes some time to assemble. It's not cheap but it'll keep your child safe through their toddler years and look stunning in any nursery.

Design

It's important to consider that you're likely to invest in furniture that will last a long time when you shop for a bed that is small. Contrary to cribs that are designed for a brief period of time, best cots are appropriate from the time a child is born until they're able to safely transition to the toddler bed or single bed. To ensure that the cot you're buying will last, search for a model that has adjustable base heights. This feature allows you to lower the mattress height as your child grows, making sure they are safe and comfortable for longer.

A useful design feature is the ability to take out the cot bars into sections. This will provide your child with an impression of independence once they begin to crawl and will make it easier for them to get in and out of the bed. For even greater flexibility, some cribs, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a comfortable sofa by taking off the front of the bed.

Many cots feature slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your baby. This can make a huge difference in comfort and can make the difference to ensure that your child gets a good night's sleep.

A small best cot newborn or bed is a great investment for your baby's sleeping habits and security, and is an attractive accessory to any nursery. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds for you to choose from.

For each cot, you'll find an array of accessories such as soft duvets, plus premium bedding. This lets you create a a welcoming and cosy environment for your baby, ensuring they have the best cots sleep possible.