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10 Apps That Can Help You Manage Your Small Cot Beds
Buying Small Cot Beds

When shopping for a small cot bed It's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but take into account the design too. A well-designed bed can help make smaller rooms appear larger and less clutter-filled.

Stroller-style, and quite light This model is a great option for smaller bedrooms. It's also the easiest flatpack to put together.

Space-saving

Cot beds are scaled down versions of traditional cots, but they still have all the comfort and safety features your baby requires. They can be used until your toddler is ready for a junior bed around the age of 2. Some models convert to an elegant sofa bed to use with older children, too.

Choose a model that can be easily dismantled and rebuilt in the event that you need to store other baby items. You may also want to consider a compact cot bed with built-in storage or an all-purpose design that incorporates a chest of drawers with a changing table and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

Our selection of small cots and cribs includes a variety of sizes, meaning there's something to fit in every space. A lot of the designs in our roundup include 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 determine the size of your nursery and check the dimensions to make sure it will fit before you purchase. You should also look at the gap between the bars as it should not be greater than 6.5cm to ensure safety.

Our real mums loved the Silver Cross Nostalgia Cot, which takes an average 120 x 60cm mattress, and comes with a beautiful frame that resembles a sleigh. It's built to last, with a sturdy construction and quality materials, and it's easy to adjust as your baby grows. It is more expensive than other cots in our list and you'll need to purchase a separate mattress.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot that we believe to be the best value cot, is another great option for a compact nursery. It's packed full of 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, but a second one will be required for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

As a parent you want your child to have an enjoyable, safe sleeping environment and one of the best options to help them get an adequate night's sleep is to pick a smaller cot bed with a comfy mattress. They are designed to be firmer than the traditional cot mattress but still soft enough that your baby will enjoy the rest of the night.

The cushioning of these mattresses also helps to prevent heat retention, which may cause discomfort for some babies. The materials used in the mattress are not irritants chemical compounds and other substances that could cause irritation to your baby's skin.

These mattresses are a good option for side and back sleepers, since they provide good 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 helpful for colic and reflux.

It is essential to determine the mattress's size and make sure that it can fit into the base of the cot prior to purchasing a small cot. Find out if the mattress is subject to any specific rules or regulations, like a minimum thickness.

This adaptable design by Vox is a great option for parents who want an cot that can grow with their child. It's a cot which converts to an infant bed. This saves you the cost of buying a new bed for your child when they are ready.

Our panel of test participants enjoyed the cot's simple setup, with mum tester Grace noting that it "came out of the box and unfolded like a camping chair". The middle joints snap in place, and the cot folds on itself. There are no complicated mechanisms required. It's also compact and light, fitting in a carry case that is larger than the case of the camp chair. This makes it ideal for transporting this cot to grandparents' homes.

This cot is extremely comfy, despite being larger than the other models in our tried-and-tested range. It is designed to feel like a mattress with plenty of padding, and a springy bottom that absorbs the weight, without making your child feel as if they're in a bouncer. It's also a solid and stable choice for side and back sleepers, however the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might struggle with it.

Safety

For your baby's safety, it is essential to ensure that the cot bed is in compliance with the UK standards it claims to be compliant with. You should look for the BS EN 716 code, or BS 8509 if it's converted into an infant bed. Also, make sure it's the right size for your nursery and offers enough space for a secure sleep for your baby. It should measure 140cm by 70cm and should not have gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm. If it's soft, old or damaged, this can cause suffocation. Check the mattress to see if it springs back quickly after pressing. When you press down on the middle of a good quality cot-mattress, it should feel solid.

Make sure the cot is free of any toys, stickers and other items that could pose a choking hazard. Babies must be able to move around easily and roll in their sleep, so it's also important that the cot doesn't have raised corners or cut-outs they could use as footholds to climb out. If your cot is equipped with drop-sides, make sure you check it frequently to ensure that the mechanism locks securely.

Do not put the cot next to an open radiator or a window that is sunny. It could become too warm or awake with sunburn. Keep the cot far away from cords that hang on wall-mounted curtains and baby monitor cables and other accessories with long cords. best cot bed can get caught by these, and older children could pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the bars for the cot.

This cot is definitely worth the extra expense for those who want a Scandi-style and a high quality finish. It's a bit laborious to put together, but the instructions are clear and the wood feels solid. It's not cheap but it will last through their toddler years.


Design

It is important to consider that you are likely investing in furniture that will last a long time when you shop for a bed that is small. Unlike cribs, which are used only for a short time, cots are suitable from the moment a baby is born until they're able to easily transition to an adult bed or a single bed. To ensure that the cot you purchase will last, look for a model with adjustable heights for the base. This feature allows you to lower the mattress's height as your child grows, ensuring they stay secure and comfortable for a longer time.

A useful design feature is the ability to take out the cot bars into sections. This will provide your child with a sense of independence when they start to toddle and make it easier to help them get into and out of the bed. Some crib beds, like the Leander Luna Baby Cot, can be converted into a sofa simply by removing the front.

Many cots come with slatted designs which are ideal for smaller spaces as they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This makes a large difference in comfort and can make all the difference when trying to ensure that your baby has a restful night's sleep.

A small cot or bed is a fantastic investment for your baby's sleep habits and safety, and can be an attractive addition to any nursery setting. Cuckooland has a wide range of cots and beds to choose from.

For each cot, you'll find a variety of accessories such as soft duvets and premium bedding. This makes it simple to create a warm and welcoming environment for your baby to enjoy the best quality sleep, and ensures they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.