Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to focus on the safety features and specifications when shopping for a small bed. But don't forget the aesthetics. A well-designed bed can help make smaller rooms appear larger and less clutter-filled.

This model is ideal for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It's lightweight and stroller-style. It's also the easiest flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

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

To help you maximize your space, choose a model that fits in with your existing bedroom furniture, or one that you can easily take apart and reassemble if you want to accommodate other baby things. Consider a cot-bed that is compact with built-in storage or a multi-functional design that combines the changing unit, chest of drawers and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

There's a broad selection of sizes in our small cot beds and cribs roundup, so whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's something to suit your space. Many of the designs featured in our roundup have a fitted bed, making it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.

When you are choosing a cot it's important to take measurements of the space in your nursery. You should also check the dimensions to ensure it will fit before making your purchase. You should also look at the gap between the bars as this should not be greater than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Our real moms loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia cot, which takes an average 120 x 60cm mattress, and is fitted with a gorgeous sleigh-style frame. It's built to last, with a sturdy build and quality materials, and is simple to adjust as your child grows. It is more expensive than the other cribs on our list, and you'll need to buy a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the most recommended cribs value cot, is a great option for a compact nursery. It's stuffed with additional features like teething rails and two height positions that can be adjusted as your child grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together. The mattress is included, however an additional one is required for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Pick a small cot that has a comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to rest comfortably. These mattresses are firmer than standard cot mattresses however they are soft enough to ensure your baby gets a good night's sleep.

The mattress's cushioning also helps to prevent heat retention, which may cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of irritants and chemicals to ensure they don't cause irritation to the baby's sensitive skin.

These mattresses are a great alternative for back and side sleepers, since they provide excellent support for the head, neck and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built-in cradling system, which parents have found to be beneficial for colic and reflux.

It is crucial to measure the size of the mattress and ensure that it will fit in the base of the cot before purchasing a small cot. Find out if the cot mattress has any specific rules or regulations, like a minimum thickness.

If you're looking for a cot bed that can grow with your child and be able to adapt, you should consider this design from Vox. It's initially an cot, but it can be converted into a toddler bed, thereby saving you from having to buy an entirely new bed once your baby is ready for it.

The user-friendly setup of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace stated that it "came out of the box and folded like the back of a camping chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds down without a complicated mechanism to work with. It's also lightweight and compact and fits neatly into a bag that's slightly bigger than a camp chair's case, and is ideal for transporting to grandparents' homes.

Despite being bulkier than other models in our tried and tested line-up, this cot feels incredibly comfortable. It's designed to feel like a mattress, with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that absorbs the weight without making your child feel like they're in the bouncer. It's a sturdy, stable option for side and back sleepers. Senior editor Nick Belcaster did note that stomach sleepers may have a problem with it.

Safety

It's vital to ensure that the cot you select is safe for your baby. Look for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you're looking to convert it into a toddler's bed. Verify that it's the correct size for your nursery and provides enough space for your child to sleep safely. It should be at least 140cm x 70cm, and there shouldn't be any gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is level and firm. It can be a suffocation hazard if it is soft or worn out. Examine the mattress to determine if it springs back quickly after pressing. When you press down on the middle of a good cribs quality cot-mattress it should feel firm.

Keep the cot free of toys, smudges, and anything else which could cause choking. Babies should be able to move around easily and roll during their sleep, so it's important that the cot does not have raised corner posts or cut-outs that they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot features a drop-side, check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism is secure.

Avoid placing your cot near a radiator or a window that is sunny. It could become too warm or awake with sunburn. Make sure the cot is kept away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains and baby monitor cables and other decorative items that have long cords. Babies can get caught by these, and older babies could climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars for the cot.

This cot is well worth the extra cost for those who want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. It's not the easiest to assemble however the instructions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not expensive however it will keep your child safe through their toddler years and look fantastic in any nursery.

Design

It's important to keep in mind that you're likely to invest in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. Unlike cribs which are used for a limited period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from the time the time a child is old enough to safely transition into a toddler or a single bed. Choose a cot with an adjustable height base to ensure it lasts. This feature lets you lower the mattress's height as your baby grows, helping them stay in a safe and comfortable position for longer.

Another important feature to keep an eye out for is the ability to take sections of the cot bars. This is a great way to give your baby a sense of independence when they begin to playing, and can assist them in and out of their bed easily. For even greater flexibility the cot beds such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can also be converted into a cosy sofa simply by taking the front off of the bed.

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

A compact cot, also known as a cot-bed, is a great investment for your baby's security and sleep habits. It's also an excellent addition to any nursery. With so many designs available to pick from, it's always worth the effort to browse the full selection of cots and cot beds that are available at Cuckooland to find the style that is suitable for your needs.

You'll also find that various accessories, like baby bumpers and soft duvets with top quality bed linen, are available for each mini cot beds to complete the look. This makes it easy to put together a cosy and comfortable environment for your baby to get the best crib for newborn possible rest, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.