Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots are designed to stop children from getting out of bed or dying in the event of a fall between the mattress and the cot. They shouldn't have protrusions or sharp edges.
The majority of cots have four secure sides to ensure your baby's security throughout the day. They are usually of the fixed size and could be converted to a toddler bed when your child gets older.
Standard Cots
Standard cots can be installed beside the parents' bed, giving them to view their child while they sleep. They are designed to be safe and secure with fixed sides to prevent babies from climbing on the sides. However, once babies are able to crawl and stand up, these sides can become dangerous and therefore they need to be removed to stop your child from falling off of the bed or injuring themselves.
Cots are typically circular to help reduce space and are more compact than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a comfortable and secure space for your baby to sleep in. They are able to be easily moved between spaces and are often on wheels or castors to allow you to move them easily.
Some cots have extra features, like drawers with teething rails or teething rails but many are simple and basic. The best cots are made of natural materials as these are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. It is essential to keep them free of stuffed pillows or animals, as they could cause suffocation for children.
A cot bed is a larger version of the cot that has removable sides and an end panel, which means it can be turned into a toddler bed once your baby outgrows it. This feature is especially useful in the event that you plan to have more than one child since it makes it easier to change between different types and saves money by not buying separate beds. The majority of cot beds are suitable from birth until your child is two years old, based on their weight and size.
Drop-side Cots
A cot with drop sides is perfect if you suffer from back pain because it means that you aren't bending over the side as much. Back back pain is a common occurrence for pregnant women and new mothers, especially if they have had back injuries in the past.
This type of cot allows you to reach your baby more easily throughout the day without lifting them or worry about your back. However, you need to make sure that the distance between the base of the mattress and the cot is at a minimum of 4cm so that your child isn't able to climb out.
If you're not sure the best cot for your needs, we recommend calling us at Baby's Hyperstore to discuss your options. We can help you select a stylish, safe cot that will grow along with your child and will meet all required safety standards.
Our top choice is the John Lewis Elementary cot which received excellent marks in our tests for being easy to construct. The mother tester Gina stated that it was "a dream to construct with extremely clear instructions with photos". It also comes with a useful drawer and teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress height positions.
The cot's strength and solid structure makes it an excellent choice for babies who can sleep all night. But you should check whether the cot is constructed from a safe material like solid wood, and that the slats are fixed in a proper manner and not too loose.
Another thing to look for is whether the cot has been certified as being in compliance with British safety standards. Before 2011, US models were not tested in the same way as UK models and this resulted in the USA ban on certain dangerous designs. Find a cot that automatically locks the drop side when it is in the up position. It requires two consecutive actions to unlock, which prevents your baby from being able to pull the side down and get out.
Corner Cots
Red Nose, an organization which works to stop sudden infant deaths syndrome, states that any fabric placed close to the baby should be secured tightly to avoid the possibility of being suffocated. Red Nose warns that curtains and blinds should not be hung over the cot as they can strangle babies or cause them to fall on their heads when they sway around in their sleep.
A budget-friendly purchase that's robust, this minimalist crib bed is suitable from birth to the age of toddler. It offers a variety of mattress positions and can easily be transformed into a toddler bed by taking off one side panel. It's also a good choice for parents with sloped ceilings since it has lockable castors to prevent the cot from falling down.
Another cot that's simple to convert, this vintage-style wooden cot bed can be used from birth until the child is 4 years old. cot sale of the cot means that it will not get stuck in corners and can easily fit into the standard door frames. The cot can also be converted into a stylish bench bed for older children by simply taking the bars off.
A top-quality piece that's a great investment This curved cot is available in either off-white or stylish green and is sure to be the centerpiece of any nursery. It's a great option for parents looking for a durable product. It can be transformed 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 includes storage drawers and 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 need a design that can adapt to their needs There are plenty of options available on the market. Some cots can be converted into toddler beds, so that you can easily change them when your child outgrows them. Others have built-in drawers to store things and some even have a changing station!
A cot with drawers is great to keep all your child's favorite toys, muslin cloths, or blankets in, and it helps in tidying up because you can put everything in the same place. A lot of these cots come with anti-bite plastic strips on the sides - great for teething babies!
If you're on a budget but still need a chic and practical cot, then the Ikea Sniglar is a good choice. Its slimline and minimalist design will work in the majority of rooms. It can be used with an ordinary mattress for a cot and comes with three heights that can be adjusted to grow with your baby. It can be transformed into a bed for toddlers by taking off the side panel. There are furniture pieces that go along with it.
Although it can be tricky to build (one of our testers complained that the instructions were not clear) Once it's assembled, it's lightweight and strong. It has an additional feature: a tilting function which can help with reflux and colic. Plus, it's available in a variety of colours too so you can pair it with other nursery furniture to create an aesthetically pleasing look.
Cots with Storage
A cot with storage is ideal when you want to keep your baby's bedding and toys out of sight but still within reach. They come with a drawer to store all the essentials. Some come with a bar for teething and rails for blankets or muslins.
Depending on the design of your cot you might be able to transform it into an infant bed or a day bed when your child is ready for a change or turn into a junior bed after your child turns five. This provides you with the best value for money and ensures that your cot will remain part of the family for years to come, but be sure to check the dimensions to ensure it will fit into the nursery before purchasing.
Obaby's Stamford Luxury Cotbed is a chic cot which can be used for babies up to two years old. It will also grow with your child. The classic cot features an easy design, but it has numerous features, including an under-bed drawer that can be used for storage and a rail for teething and height levels that can be adjusted. The cot is easy to assemble, with alphabetically-labeled parts and clear instructions.
For a more high-tech sleep solution, the SNOO Smart Sleeper is a baby cot, bassinet and moses basket in one. It's set to revolutionise the way babies sleep, and is backed up with expert advice from internationally-renowned sleep experts. The cost is expensive and might not be within the budget of some families. Learn more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our complete review.