Buying Small Cot Beds

It's easy to concentrate on the safety and spec features when shopping for a small bed. However, don't forget to consider the aesthetics. A well-designed cot can make the space appear larger and less clutter-filled.

Stroller-style and surprisingly lightweight this model is a good option for smaller bedrooms. It's also the easiest flatpack to assemble.

Space-saving

Cot beds are smaller versions of traditional cots but still offer all the safety and comfort features your baby deserves. They can be used until your toddler is ready for an adult bed around the age of 2. Some models can be converted into an elegant sofa bed to use with older children, too.

To maximize your space, consider an item that is compatible with the furniture in your bedroom, or one that you can easily dismantle and reassemble if you need to put in other baby objects. Consider a cot-bed that is compact with built-in storage or a multi-functional design that incorporates the changing unit as well as a chest of drawers and bench seats into one piece of furniture.

There is a wide variety of sizes in our cots that are small and cribs roundup, so whether you have a tiny nursery or a huge playroom there's something to suit your space. Many of the designs on our list have an adjustable mattress, which makes it easier to keep your baby's bedding tidy and clean.

It is crucial to measure the space available in your nursery prior to purchasing a crib. The distance between the bars shouldn't be greater than 6.5cm. This is to ensure safety.

Silver Cross Nostalgia is a cot that can accommodate a 120 x 60cm standard mattress and features a beautiful sleigh style frame. It's built to last with quality materials and a sturdy structure. It's also simple to adapt to your child's growing requirements. However, it's a much more expensive option than some of the other cots on our list and you'll have to buy a separate mattress when you pick this model.

The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot is a great option for a smaller nursery and it's our pick for the best value cots. It's loaded with extra features, including teething rails, as well as two height positions that can be adjusted as your baby grows, and it's incredibly easy to put together. It includes a mattress, but you'll need to buy a second for the toddler conversion.

Comfort

Choose a small cot with an incredibly comfortable mattress. This will allow your baby to sleep well. They are designed to be more firm than traditional cot mattresses but are still soft enough so that your child will get an enjoyable night's sleep.

The mattress's cushioning also helps to prevent the retention of heat, which could cause discomfort to some babies. The materials used in the mattress are free of irritants chemical compounds and other substances that could cause irritation to your baby's skin.

Typically, these mattresses are a great option for back and side sleepers as they provide good support for neck, head and body. They can also be used in conjunction with the cot's built in cradling feature, which parents have found to be beneficial for colic and reflux.

When choosing a small crib bed with a cushioned mattress it is important to determine the size of the mattress and whether it can be placed inside the cot's base. Find out if the mattress is subject to any specific rules or regulations, for instance the minimum thickness.

If you're looking for a cot bed that can expand with your child, then consider this adaptable design from Vox. It's a cot that transforms into an infant bed. This will save you the expense of buying an entirely new bed for your child when they are ready.

The user-friendly configuration of this cot was highly praised by our panel. Mum Grace said that it "came out of the box and was unfolded like an outdoor chair". The middle joints snap into place and the cot folds into itself without any complicated mechanisms to deal with. It's also light and compact, fitting neatly into a bag that's smaller than a camping chair's case and ideal for taking it to the grandparents' homes.

This cot is extremely comfy despite its size being higher than the other models in our tried-and tested line-up. It's designed to feel like an actual mattress with plenty of padding and a springy base that carries the weight but doesn't make your child feel like they're in a bouncer. It's also a solid and stable choice for back and side sleepers, but the senior editor Nick Belcaster noted that stomach sleepers might have trouble with it.

Safety

To ensure the safety of your baby it's important to check that a cot bed meets the UK standards it claims to comply with. Check for the BS EN code or BS8509 when you're looking to convert it into a toddler's bed. Make sure it's the correct size for your nursery and has enough space for your child to be safe. It should be 140cm x 70cm and have no gaps around the edges or corners.

Make sure that the mattress is level and firm. If it's a bit soft, old or damaged, it could create a risk of suffocation. Check the mattress to see whether it bounces back quickly after pressing. When you press on the middle of a quality cot-mattress it should feel solid.

Make sure the cot is free of toys, stickers and other things 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 could be used as footholds to climb out. If your crib has a drop side, inspect it regularly to ensure the mechanism locks securely.

Avoid placing your cot near the heat source or a sunny window. It could become too warm or wake up with sunburn. Also, keep the cot away from cords for curtains that are mounted on the wall, baby monitor cables and decorative accessories with long cords. Babies could be strangled by these cords, while older babies could pull themselves up on them or reach out to grab the bars of the cot.

For Scandi style and a top-quality finish, this cot is worth the cost over cheaper alternatives. It's a bit time-consuming to put together but the directions are clear and the wood feels sturdy. It's not cheap but it will last until they reach the age of toddlers.

Design

It's important to consider that you'll be investing in long-term furniture when shopping for a small bed. Unlike cribs which are used only for a short period of time, cots or cot beds are suitable from birth until the time a child is old enough to safely transition into a toddler or kids single bed. Choose a cot with an adjustable height base to ensure that it will last. This feature allows you to lower the mattress's height to fit your baby's growing needs, while keeping them secure and comfortable.

Another useful design feature to keep an eye out for is the ability to take off sections of the cot bars. This is a great way to give your child a sense of independence once they start walking around, and can aid them in getting into and out of their bed easily. To make it even more flexible the cot beds, such as the Leander Luna Baby Cot can be transformed into a comfortable sofa by taking off the front of the bed.

Many cots feature slatted designs that are perfect for smaller spaces, since they allow air to circulate and regulate the temperature of your infant. This can make a significant difference in the quality of sleep and can help ensure that your baby has a good sleep.

A small cot, or cot-bed, is a great investment for your baby’s security and sleep habits. It can also be a lovely addition to any nursery. Cuckooland offers a variety of cots and beds for you to choose from.

There's also a range of accessories, including baby bumpers and soft duvets made of top quality bed linen, are available for each crib to make it look more complete. This makes it easy to create a warm and comfortable environment for your baby to get the best possible rest and ensures that they're enjoying every aspect of their new home.