Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots are designed to keep infants from climbing out of the bed or dying if they fall into gaps between the mattress and the cot. They should have no sharp edges or protrusions.
Most cots have 4 secure sides, so you can rest assured that your child is secure throughout the day. Many cots are available in fixed-sizes and can be made into a toddler bed as your child grows.
Standard Cots
Standard cots are great for smaller nursery settings and can be easily installed alongside the beds of parents and allow parents to keep an eye on their child while they rest. These cots are designed to be secure and safe with fixed sides to prevent babies from climbing on the sides. When your baby is capable of standing and crawling, these sides are an hazard to safety and should be removed.
Cots are circular in shape that helps to in reducing space. They are also more compact than traditional cots. They are easy-to-clean and offer a safe and comfortable space for your child to sleep. They are easily portable and often come with castors or wheels so that you can move them around.
Many cots are basic and simple. Some have extra features like teething rails or storage drawers. The best cots are made of natural materials as these are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. They should be free of any toys or pillows as they could pose danger of suffocation for young children.
A cot bed is a larger version of the cot that has removable sides and an end panel, which means it can be transformed into a toddler bed after your baby outgrows it. This feature is particularly beneficial if you expect to have more than one child, as it eliminates having to switch between different types of beds and reduces costs by not purchasing separate beds. Most cot-beds can be used from birth to about two years of age depending on the size and weight of your infant.
Drop-side Cots
If you are suffering from back discomfort, a cot that has drop-sides is the best option. It won't require you to bend over the side. nursery cots is crucial as back problems are one of the most common issues among pregnant women and new parents particularly those who have had back injuries previously.
cots to tots of cot means that your baby can be easily reached during the day without needing to worry about your back or lifting them. It is important to make sure that there is at least 4cm between the base and the mattress to stop your child from climbing out.
If you're unsure which cot is best for your needs, we recommend contact us at Baby's Hyperstore to discuss your options. We can help you select a stylish, safe cot that will grow along with your child and will meet all required safety standards.
Our top choice is the John Lewis Elementary cot which scored excellent marks in our tests for being simple to put together. Gina, a mum tester, said it was "a simple assembly with clearly and with illustrations". It includes a teething rail and a drawer for storage and three different positions for the mattress's height.
The cot is a good option for babies who are able to sleep all the night. But you should check whether the cot is constructed from a sanitized material such as solid wood, and that the slats are fixed correctly and not loosened.
Check to see if the cot is certified to meet British safety standards. Prior to 2011, US models were not tested the same as UK models, which resulted in the USA ban on certain unsafe designs. Find a cot that automatically locks the drop side when in the up position and requires two consecutive actions to unlock, which will prevent your baby from pulling the side down and climb out.
Corner Cots
Red Nose, an organization that campaigns to eradicate sudden infant deaths syndrome, states that any fabric placed near the baby should be secured tightly to avoid the risk of suffocation. Red Nose warns that curtains and blinds should not be left hanging over the cot as they can strangle infants or cause them to hit their heads as they move around in their sleep.
This cot-bed that is minimalistic is a budget buy however, it's extremely robust. It's suitable for infants all the way to toddlers. It can be converted into a bed for toddlers by removing a side panel. It's also a good option for parents with sloped ceilings since it has castors that can be locked to stop the cot from falling.
This cot bed made of wood in a vintage style is another cot that is easily transformed. It can be used by children as young as to age 4. Its unique oval shape means that it won't get stuck in corners and can easily fit into standard door frames. The cot can be turned into a chic bench-style bed for an older child by simply lifting the bars.
This curve-shaped cot-bed is an excellent investment that can be an impressive centerpiece for any nursery. It comes in a stylish green and off-white. It's a top option for parents who appreciate durability, since it can be made into a toddler bed by removing the sides, and then into a twin bed for an older child by cutting off the front rails. It's also extremely robust and includes an storage drawer and teething rails as well as a handy hanging rail for muslins or blankets.
Cots with Drawers
If you're looking for additional storage space for your baby's clothing or bedding or need a design that can adapt to their needs, there are plenty of options available on the market. Some cots can be transformed into toddler beds so that you can easily change them when your child outgrows them. Some have built-in drawers for storage and some even include a changing station!
It's convenient to have a cot that has drawers for all the toys, blankets, muslins or other things that your child will love. It can also make it easier to tidy it up by putting everything all in one spot. A lot of these cots come with anti-bite strips of plastic on the sides - great for teething babies!
If you're on a budget but still want a stylish and practical cot then the Ikea Sniglar is a good option. It has a minimalist and sleek design that will work well in all rooms. It can be used with an ordinary mattress for a cot and comes with three adjustable heights for the base to grow with your baby. It can be made into an infant bed by removing one of the side panels and there's a range of matching furniture with it.
It can be difficult to assemble (one of our testers said that the instructions weren't clear), but once constructed it is light and long-lasting. It also comes with a benefit: a tilting function that can help with reflux or colic. It's also available in lots of different colors, so you can match it with other furniture in the nursery if you're going for an aesthetically pleasing look.
Cots with Storage
If you'd like to keep your baby's bedding and toys away from view however, they are still within reach, a cot with storage will be ideal. The majority of cots 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 cot sides from your little one's chewing urges.
You may be able transform your cot into a daybed or toddler when your child is old enough to upgrade. Some cots can even become a junior bed after your baby turns five. This is a great way to save money and make your cot a part of the family for a long time. Make sure you check its dimensions before purchasing to ensure it will fit in your nursery.
Obaby's Stamford Luxe Cotbed is a chic cot that can be used for babies up to two years old. It also grows with your child. This classic cot has a simple design, but it has numerous features, including 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 build, with alphabetically labeled parts and clear instructions.
For a more high-tech sleep solution, the SNOO Smart Sleeper is a bassinet, baby cot and moses basket in one. It's set to revolutionise the way babies sleep and is backed up by expert advice from international sleep consultants. The cost is expensive and might not be within the budget of some families. Learn more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our complete review.