Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots are designed to keep children from getting out of bed or becoming suffocated in the event of a fall between the mattress and the cot. They should not have sharp edges or protrusions.
The majority of cots have four sides that are secure to ensure your baby's safety at all times. Many cots are available in fixed-size and can be converted into a toddler bed when your child gets older.
Standard Cots
Standard cots can be installed alongside the parents' bed, allowing them to view their baby while they rest. They are designed to be secure and safe with fixed sides that stop babies from climbing on the sides. Once your baby is able to stand and crawl, these sides are a safety risk and should be removed.
Cots have a circular shape, which helps in reducing space. They are also more compact than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a comfortable and secure place for your baby to sleep. They can be easily moved between rooms and are usually on wheels or castors that allow you to move them around easily.
Some cots come with extra features, like drawers with teething rails or teething rails but most are basic. The best cots are made of natural materials as these are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. They should be kept free of toys and pillows as they could pose the risk of suffocation to children who are still young.
A cot-bed is a bigger version of a cot with removable sides and end panels. It can be transformed into a bed for toddlers when your child grows out of it. This feature is particularly useful if you are expecting to have more than one child as it will eliminate the necessity of switching between different types of furniture and saves money on buying separate beds. The majority of cot-beds are suitable from birth to around two years old, depending on the weight and size of your infant.
Drop-side Cots
A cot that has a drop side is ideal for those who suffer from back pain since it means that you aren't bending over the side as much. Back pain is a common problem for pregnant women and new mothers, particularly if they have had back injuries in the past.
This type of cot means that your baby will be easily reached during the day without having to be concerned about your back or lifting them. It is important to make sure that there is a minimum of 4cm between the base and the mattress to avoid your child from escaping.
If you are unsure about which cot is right for your child's needs, we recommend getting in touch with us at Baby's Hyperstore. We can talk through your options. We can assist you in finding a safe, stylish cot that grows with your child and meet all mandatory safety standards.
Our top choice is the John Lewis Elementary cot which scored excellent marks in our tests for its ease to construct. Mom tester Gina stated that it was "a dream to construct with extremely clear instructions with photos". It includes teething rails, a drawer for storage and 3 different positions for the mattress's height.
The cot's durability and solid construction makes it a great option for babies that sleep through the night. However, you must ensure that the cot is made from a sanitized material such as solid wood and that the slats have been fixed in a proper manner and not too loose.
Verify that the cot has been certified to be in compliance with British safety standards. Before 2011, US models were not tested the same way as UK models, which resulted in the USA banning certain unsafe designs. Choose a cot that has an auto-locking side for the drop in the up position. It will require two consecutive actions to unlock. This will prevent your child from being able to lower the side to climb out.
Corner Cots
Red Nose, an organization that campaigns to eradicate sudden infant deaths syndrome, advises that any fabric placed close to a baby should be tucked tightly to reduce the risk of being suffocated. Red Nose advises that curtains or blinds shouldn't be left hanging above the cot as they could be strangulation hazards and babies can catch their heads on them if they roll over in their sleep.
This minimalist cot-bed is a low-cost option however, it's extremely sturdy. It's suitable for babies to toddlers. It comes with a wide variety of mattress bases and is easily transformed into a toddler bed by taking off one side panel. It is an ideal choice for parents who have sloped ceilings, as it has lockable castors that stop the cot from falling down.
top rated cots made of wooden in vintage style is another cot that is easily converted. It can be used by children from birth up to age 4. It features an unique oval shape that ensures it doesn't get stuck in corners and is able to easily pass through standard door frames. By removing the bars you can transform the cot into a fashionable bed for older children.
A high-quality piece that's a good investment, this curved cot bed is available in either off-white or stylish green and is sure to be the centerpiece of any nursery. It is a great choice for parents seeking a durable item. It can be turned into a toddler's bed by removing its sides and then into a twin bed for a child who is older when the front rails are removed. It's also incredibly robust and includes a storage drawer as well as teething rails, as well as a handy hanging rail for blankets or muslins.
Cots with Drawers
There are a variety of options on the market, whether you're looking for additional storage space for your baby's bedding, clothing or a design that will expand with them. Some cots can be converted into toddler beds, making the transition over simple when your little one outgrows it. Some come with built-in drawers for storage and others even have a changing area included!
It's convenient to have a cot that has drawers for all the toys, blankets muslins, and other things that your child loves. It can also make it easier to clean up since everything is in one place. A lot of these cots come with anti-bite plastic strips on the sides, which are great for teething babies!
The Ikea Sniglar is an excellent option if you're on a tight budget but nevertheless want a stylish and practical cot. It has a simple and slimline aesthetic that'll be a good fit in any room. It can be used with a standard cot mattress and has three adjustable base heights to grow with your baby. It can be made into a toddler bed by taking out one of the side panels and there's a variety of furniture that can be used with it.
It's not an easy thing to put together (one of our testers complained that the instructions were unclear) however, once built it's light and durable. It also has an added bonus: a tilting feature that can help with colic or reflux. It's also available in a range of colours, so you can pair it with other furniture for your nursery to create a coordinated appearance.
Cots with Storage
If you wish to keep your baby's toys and bedding away from sight however, they are still within reach, a cot with storage will be ideal. The majority of cots have a handy drawer where you can keep a variety of items, and some have hanging rails to hang muslin cloths or blankets, as well as teething rails to guard the sides of the cot from tooth-gnashing urges.
Based on the style of your cot, you may be able to convert it into a toddler bed or a day bed when your child is ready for a change or be converted into a junior bed after your baby turns five. This provides you with the best value for money and will ensure that your cot will be a part of the family for years to come, but make certain to look at the dimensions to make sure it's a good fit for your nursery before buying.
Obaby's Stamford Luxe Cotbed is a stylish cot which can be used for infants up to 2 years old. It will also grow with your child. This classic cot has an easy design, but it comes with numerous features, including an under-bed drawer to store items, a teething rail, and adjustable height levels. It's also easy to assemble with alphabetically labelled components and excellent instructions.
For a more advanced sleep solution, the SNOO Smart Sleeper is baby cot, bassinet and moses basket in one. It's set to revolutionise the way that babies sleep and is backed with expert advice from international sleep consultants. The cost is expensive and may not be within the budget of some families. You can read more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our complete review.