25 Shocking Facts About Small Cot Beds

Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed It's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features but consider the aesthetics too. A well-designed bed can make smaller rooms appear larger and less cluttered.

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

Space-saving

Cot beds are scaled down versions of traditional cots however they still provide all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used until your toddler is ready to move on to a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models can be turned into a chic couch bed for older children.

Look for a model which can be easily dismantled and rebuilt in case you want to make room for other baby things. Consider a cot-bed that is compact with built-in storage or a multifunctional design that incorporates the changing unit as well as a chest of drawers and benches into one piece of furniture.

Our roundup of small cots and cribs includes a variety of sizes, so there is something to suit every space. Many of the designs featured in our roundup come with a fitted bed, which makes it easier to keep your child's bed neat and tidy.

It is crucial to determine the size of your nursery prior to purchasing a cot. The distance between the bars should not be greater than 6.5cm. This is to ensure safety.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot which accommodates a 120x60cm standard mattress and comes with a beautiful sleigh style frame. It is built to last with quality materials and sturdy construction.  Mini Cot Bed  is also easy to adjust to your baby's increasing needs. However, it's a much more expensive option than the other cots we've reviewed and you'll have to purchase a mattress separately if you choose this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot which we believe to be the most value cot, is a ideal choice for a smaller nursery. It's stuffed with additional features like teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's super-easy to put together. It comes with a mattress, however, you'll need an additional one for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

As a parent you want your child to have an enjoyable, safe sleep environment. One of the most beneficial ways to ensure they get an excellent night's rest is to select a small cot bed with a comfy mattress. They are designed to be more firm than the traditional cot mattress but still soft enough that your child will have the rest of the night.

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

Typically, these kinds of mattresses are a great choice for side and back sleepers, as they provide great support for the neck as well as the head and body. They can be used in conjunction with the built-in cradle in the cot, which is helpful for colic or reflux.

It is crucial to measure the mattress's size and make sure that it can fit into the base of the cot before buying a cot that is small. Find out if the mattress has any particular rules or regulations, such as a minimum thickness.

If you're in search of an cot that can grow with your child take a look at this adaptable design from Vox. It's initially a cot but can later be transformed into an infant bed, saving you from having to buy another bed when your baby is ready to use it.

Our panel of test participants loved this cot's easy setup The mom tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and folded like a camp chair". The middle joints snap into place, and the cot folds on itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It is also compact and lightweight, fitting into a carry case that's slightly larger than the case of a camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting the cot to grandparents' homes.

This cot is extremely comfortable despite being bigger than the other models in our tried and tested collection. It is designed to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding and a bouncy bottom that absorbs the weight, without making your child feel as if they are in the bouncer. It's also a solid, stable option for both back and side sleepers, but senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

It is crucial to ensure that the cot bed you pick is safe for your child. Check for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it transforms into a toddler bed. You should also check that it's the correct size for your nursery and offers enough space to provide a safe sleep for your little one. It should be 140cm x 70cm and have no gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure the mattress is firm and sits flat inside the cot. If it's a bit soft, old or damaged, this can cause suffocation. Check the mattress to see whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. A good quality mattress for cots should feel firm and flat when you press down on the middle of it.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers and anything else that could be a choking hazard. It's important that babies can move freely and turn over as they sleep. If your crib has a drop-side check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

Do not place a cot next to the heat source or a sunny window. They could get too warm or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains as well as baby monitor cables and decorative accessories that have long cords. Babies can get caught by these cords, and older children may climb up on them or reach out to grab the bars for the cot.

For Scandi style and a top-quality finish the cot is worth the extra investment over cheaper alternatives. It's not the easiest to put together, but the instructions are clear and the wood is sturdy. It's not cheap but it will last your child into their toddler years.

Design

It is important to consider that you'll be investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a bed that is small. Contrary to cribs, which are utilized only for a short period of time, cots and cot beds are suitable from the time the time a child is old enough to safely transition to the toddler or single bed. Choose a cot with an adjustable base height to ensure it will last. This feature lets you lower the mattress height as your child grows, ensuring they stay in a safe and comfortable position for longer.

Another important feature to keep an eye out for is the capability to take sections of cot bars. This will give your child the feeling of independence as they start to toddle and will make it easier for them to get into and out of the bed. For more flexibility, some cot beds such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a cozy sofa by removing the front of the bed.

Many cots come with slatted designs which are ideal for small spaces, as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a huge difference in the quality of sleep and can help ensure that your baby enjoys a restful night.

A small cot, or bed for cots, is a fantastic investment for your baby’s safety and sleeping habits. It can also be an excellent addition to any nursery. With so many styles to choose from, it's always worth taking the time to browse the full selection of cots and cots that are available at Cuckooland to find one that is suitable for your needs.

You'll also find that various accessories, such as baby bumpers and soft duvets made of premium bed linen, are available for every cot to complete the look. This will allow you to create a an inviting and comfortable environment for your child, ensuring they have the best sleep possible.