Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots are designed to keep babies from climbing out of the bed, or suffocating in the event of a fall between the mattress and the cot. They shouldn’t have protrusions or sharp edges.
Most cots are designed with four secure sides to ensure your cheap Baby cots (cots4tots.co.uk)’s safety at all times. They are usually of an unchanging size, and can be converted to an infant bed as your child gets older.
Standard Cots
Standard cots can be easily placed on top of the parents’ bed, allowing parents to see their child as they sleep. These cots are designed to be secure and safe with fixed sides that stop infants from climbing over the sides. When your baby is capable of standing and crawling, these sides are dangerous and should be removed.
Cots are usually circular in shape to reduce space and are also smaller than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and offer a safe and comfortable space for your child to sleep. They can be easily moved between spaces and are often on wheels or castors that enable you to move them around easily.
Some cots come with extra features, like teething rails or drawers however, many are basic and basic. The best cots are made of natural materials because they are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. It is essential to keep them free of any stuffed animals or pillows, as they could cause suffocation for children.
A cot bed is a bigger version of the cot which includes removable sides and an end panel, which means it can be transformed into a toddler bed after your baby outgrows it. This feature is especially useful when you plan to have more than one child since it will eliminate the need to switch between different kinds of furniture and helps save money on separate beds. Most cot beds are suitable from birth until your infant is around two years old, based on their size and weight.
Drop-side Cots
A cot with a drop-side is ideal if you suffer from back pain since it means that you don’t have to bend over the side as much. This is important as back pain is among the most common issues among pregnant women and new parents especially those who had back injuries previously.
This kind of cot lets you to reach your child more easily throughout the day, without having to lift them or be concerned about your back. However, you need to ensure that the gap between the base of the mattress and the base of the cot is at a minimum of 4cm so that your child can’t climb out.
If you are unsure about which cot is right for your needs we suggest calling us at Baby’s Hyperstore to discuss your options. We can help you choose an elegant, safe cot that can grow with your child, and meet all mandatory safety standards.
Our top choice is the John Lewis Elementary cot which received excellent marks in our tests for being easy to construct. Mom tester Gina said that it was “a dream to construct – very clear instructions with pictures”. It comes with a teething rail as well as a drawer to store things in and three different positions for the mattress’s height.
The cot is an excellent option for babies who sleep all night. But you should check whether the cot is constructed of a safe material, such as solid wood, and that the slats have been fixed properly and not too loose.
Check to see if the cot is certified to be in compliance with British safety standards. Before 2011, US cots were not tested in the same way as UK models and this has led to some dangerous designs being prohibited in the USA. Look for a model that locks automatically the drop side when it is in the up position. It requires two consecutive actions to unlock it, which will prevent your baby from being able to pull the side down and get out.
Corner Cots
Red Nose, an organization that works to end sudden infant deaths syndrome, says that any material placed near babies should be tucked tightly to prevent the risk of being suffocated. Red Nose warns that curtains and blinds should not be hung over the crib as they can strangle babies or cause them to crash their heads as they move around in their sleep.
This cot-bed that is minimalistic is a budget buy, but it’s surprisingly durable. It’s suitable for babies to toddlers. It has a wide range of mattress positions and can be easily transformed into a toddler bed by taking off one side panel. It is also a great choice for parents with ceilings that slope, since it is equipped with lockable castors to stop the cot from falling down.
This cot bed made of wooden in vintage style is another cot that is easily transformed. It can be used by children from birth until age 4. Its unique oval shape means that it will not get stuck in corners and can easily fit into doors with standard frames. The cot can also be transformed into a stylish bench bed for older children by lifting the bars.
A high-quality piece that’s a good investment, this curved cot bed is available in either off-white or fashionable green and will be the focal point of any nursery. It’s a top choice for parents who value longevity, since it can be made into a toddler bed by removing the sides and turning into a twin bed for an older child by taking out the front rails. It’s also extremely sturdy and includes an storage drawer, teething rails and an easy hanging rail to hang blankets or muslins.
Cots with Drawers
There are a variety of options on the market, whether you need additional storage space for your baby’s bedding, clothing or a design that can expand with them. Some cots convert to toddler beds, making the transition over simple when your child is no longer in the habit of using it. Some include drawers built in for storage and others even include a changing station included!
A cot with drawers is handy to keep all your little one’s favourite toys, muslin cloths or blankets. It helps in tidying up as you can keep everything in one location. Many of these cots have anti-bite plastic strips on the sides, which are great for teething babies!
If you’re on a budget but still want a stylish and practical cot, the Ikea Sniglar is a good choice. Its slimline and minimalist design will work in any room. It can be used in conjunction with an ordinary cot bed and has three adjustable heights for the base to increase as your child grows. It can be made into a toddler bed by removing one of the side panels, and there’s a range of furniture that can be used with it.
Although it can be tricky to build (one of our test subjects complained that the instructions weren’t clear), once it’s constructed it’s light and durable. It has an additional feature: a tilting feature which can aid with colic and reflux. Plus, it’s available in a variety of colors, so you can match it with other nursery furniture to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Cots with Storage
If you’d like to keep your baby’s toys and bedding away from view however, they are still within reach, a cot that has storage will be ideal. They usually have an easy-to-access drawer where you can store lots of essentials and some come with hanging rails to hang muslin cloths or blankets as well as teething rails to guard the sides of your cot from your little one’s chewing urges.
Depending on the style of your cot, you may be able to turn it into a toddler bed or a day bed when your child is ready for a change and some turn into a junior bed after your child is five. This is a great way to save money and make your cot a member of the family for a long time. Make sure you check its dimensions before purchasing to ensure it fits in your nursery.
Obaby’s Stamford Luxury Cotbed is a chic cot that is suitable for infants from 2 to 2 years old. It can also grow with your child. This classic cot has an unassuming design, however it offers many features such as an under-bed drawer that can be used for storage, a teething rail, and height levels that can be adjusted. The cot is easy to assemble, with alphabetically-labeled parts and clear instructions.
The SNOO Smart Sleeper is a high-tech solution for a better sleep it’s a cot, bassinet, and moses basket all in one. It’s set to revolutionize the way that babies sleep and is backed up with expert advice from internationally-renowned sleep experts. The price is high and may not fit into the budget of a lot of families. You can read more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our complete review.