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. A drawer and a handy anti-bite strip of plastic on the top rails help keep it neat too.

This crib with smart technology could be the answer for your child who is fussy. It responds with soothing sounds that mimic the baby's womb.

Size

A good cot is the right size to give your baby space to grow without weighing down the nursery. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm x 140cm. This should be sufficient to accommodate most babies until they are around three years old. Some cots may have curving edges or other features that could affect the fit of a mattress. It is therefore crucial to double check your cot's footprint prior to purchasing.

You can find cots at many high-street retailers such as Dunelm or Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, so you can return a cot if it does not meet your needs. It's also a good idea to shop online, as you can gain a better understanding of the dimensions of each cot, and how it will appear in your nursery.

If you're in search of a top-quality crib, consider the SNOO Smart Sleeper. The cot listens to your baby's cries and responds by gently rocking them to sleep, emulating the sounds of the womb. This technology helps your baby get a good night's rest. It can be placed in any crib or cot. It is a great option for babies and newborns who are fussy or who have breathing issues and can also track their sleep cycles to aid in understanding the sleep patterns of your little one.

Another great alternative is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot, made of solid beech, has an easily removed panel that transforms it into a toddler's bed. It comes with a variety of mattresses, so you can adjust the height of your child's sleeping area to suit their needs. It's also a good option for smaller bedrooms or sloped ceilings and our panel found it easy to construct.

Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It's available in a variety of finishes, ranging from white to dark slate grey, and can be used from birth until your child is four years old. It comes with three mattress settings that let you easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a Toddler Bed by removing the side panels and adding an additional footboard. The cot has a mattress, and is FSC certified.

Safety

Cots and cot beds are an essential part of the nursery of your baby's but they must be safe as well. Choose a cot that is certified to comply with British safety standards and bears the code BS EN 716. It must also have a sturdy flat mattress and not be filled with duvets or bumpers, which aren't recommended by the Lullaby Trust.

If you're buying a second-hand cot, ensure it's not too old as paint can contain lead that can be harmful to infants. Look for indications that the cot was used, particularly along the sides, where a child may rub their hands. This can cause irritation to the skin. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that could be removed, posing an choking risk for your baby.

Some cots are equipped with additional features, like storage drawers and teething rails. One of our mom test subjects praised this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. "It's really easy to put together, and has all the pieces labelled alphabetically," she said, noting that it's one of the most simple cots to transform into a toddler bed. The cot comes with an organizer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also comes with three adjustable heights which means you can use it for your growing child.

Another thing to consider is the depth of the cot. It is recommended to choose a cot with at least 50cm in depth because this will stop your child from climbing the cot when they become more mobile. It is also worth considering the type of mattress you'll need, since there are a variety of options out available, including foam, spring interiors or natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you're planning to buy an entirely new cot, you might think about a cot mattress protector to protect against stains or spills. It's a good idea to hire an expert to assess the safety of an old cot and repair any damage. The cost of this service is about PS100 however it's well worth it to ensure your peace of mind.

Style

It's easy to get caught up in the details of safety and specifications when buying for a baby but remember to think about the style. It is essential to select the cot that is in keeping with your baby's nursery as well as your decor. Fortunately, a lot of cots and cot beds come in a variety of styles and colours that look great with the furniture or interiors you've selected for your baby's initial bedroom.

The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed shows how stylish a crib could be. The drawer under the bed is a useful feature that has helped it get top marks with our panel, while teething rails and 3 adjustable mattress heights make this cot bed as useful as it is stylish. The cot is simple to assemble, even though it is flat-packed, and comes with simple instructions and labeled parts.

Stokke Sleepi is another option for a fashionable functional cot. It combines the style of Scandi with the practicality of being able grow with your child. It can be used as a cot from birth or until your child is five, at which point you can convert it to a toddler's bed by taking off a side. Our testers were impressed with its quality design and smooth oval shape but it may be a little too pricey for some.

If you choose an item with bars that are too close together your baby may become trapped or choke. It is also important to make sure the drop-side mechanism operates efficiently and reliably, and can't be easily dropped by your child. If you select a cot with bars that are not properly separated, your child could be trapped or choke. Also, you should make sure that the mechanism for dropping is safe and doesn't let your child lower it.

If you're buying a cot that can be converted into a mattress, make sure it complies with UK safety standards. These are usually BS EN 716 and BS 8509 which include an anti-bite strip at the bar's top. Most cots and cot beds will have this information in the product description or on their website, however if you have any concerns, it's worth speaking to the seller to confirm.

Convertibility

It is possible that your cot to last for a long time and some models are designed to accomplish that. The majority of popular cots can be converted into sofas for toddlers or toddlers. This allows you to keep using it after the baby stage. They cost more as they have to support an overweight child for longer. However they are an excellent investment if you plan to keep them in use long after your baby has grown.

A cot is also one of the most important purchases you'll make for your new baby It is crucial to ensure it meets strict UK safety standards. Check for the BS EN 716 code on the product's webpage to confirm this, and check that it has a base that's fully slatted and does not have gaps in all of the sides. If it doesn't then you'll need to purchase a separate mattress.

Some cots come with additional features like rails for teething. These can help save space and simplify the lives of parents. Some cots are simple to put together, which is ideal if you're short on time or you're worried about putting them together yourself. One of our mum testers rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to put together flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.

The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a classic look and comes in a variety of finishes that can be suited to your nursery. It features three adjustable mattress heights and can be converted to an infant bed by removing the side, and later into a junior bed with the addition of a footboard. It is available in a variety of sizes that can be adapted to your room. One of our testers said hers lasted through 3 children.

Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an modular design that permits you to transform it into different configurations. The mini model can be used from birth and with the addition of the side, it could be transformed into an infant's bed. If your child is older you can then upgrade to an adult bed. It's also a top choice for aesthetics with our panel-loving natural finish and smooth oval shape.