Which Baby Cot is Right For Your Baby?
Cots protect children from falling out of bed or becoming suffocated when they fall between the mattress and cot. They should not have any sharp edges or protrusions.
Most cots come with four sides that are secure, ensuring your baby's safety throughout the day. A lot of cots are available in fixed-size and can be transformed into a toddler bed if your child grows.
Standard Cots
Standard cots can be easily installed beside the parents' bed, allowing them to view their child while they lay down. They have sides that are fixed to prevent infants from stepping over them. However, once babies are able to crawl and stand up, these sides become a safety hazard and must be removed to stop your child from falling out of their bed or causing injury to themselves.
Cots are generally circular in shape to help reduce space and are also smaller than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a safe and comfortable place for your child to sleep. They can be easily moved between rooms and are usually on wheels or castors to enable you to move them easily.
A lot of cots are basic and simple. cots and tots come with extra features like teething rails or storage drawers. The most durable cots are constructed from natural materials since they are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. It is important to keep them free of stuffed animals or pillows, since they could cause suffocation for children.
A cot bed is a larger version of the cot which includes removable sides and an end panel, which means it can be turned into a toddler bed after your baby outgrows it. This feature is particularly useful if you expect to have more than one child because it means you don't have to switch between different types of beds and reduces costs by not purchasing separate beds. Most cribs can be used from birth until your infant is about two years old, based on their size and weight.
Drop-side Cots
A cot that has a drop-side is ideal for those suffering from back pain because it means you aren't bending over the side as much. Back pain is a common problem for pregnant women and new mothers, particularly those who have suffered back injuries in the past.
This type of cot also allows your baby to be reached more easily during the day without you needing to worry about your back or lifting them. But, you must ensure that the gap between the base of the cot and the mattress is at least 4cm so that your child can't climb out.
If you're unsure which cot is right for your needs, we recommend contact us at Baby's Hyperstore. We can discuss your options. We can help you choose a safe, stylish cot that grows with your child and meet all safety standards that are required by law.
Our top choice is the John Lewis Elementary cot which was a top performer in our tests for being easy to construct. Gina mom test-sitting, said it was "a simple assembly with extremely clear and well-illustrated instructions". It includes teething rail, a drawer for storage and three different mattress height positions.
The cot's sturdiness and sturdy structure makes it an excellent choice for babies who sleep through the night. However, you must ensure that the cot is made of a safe material, such as solid wood, and that the slats are fixed properly and not too loose.
Another thing to look out for is whether the cot has been inspected as being in compliance with British safety standards. Before 2011, US models were not tested the same as UK models and this led to the USA banning certain unsafe designs. Look for a model that automatically locks the drop side when it is in the up position and requires two consecutive actions to unlock, which prevents your child from being able to pull the side down and get out.
Corner Cots
Although photos of a styled nursery might show blankets that are artistically wrapped around a cot according to Red Nose, a charity fighting to stop sudden infant deaths, all fabrics placed near the baby should be tucked in tightly to reduce the possibility of the baby being suffocated. Red Nose warns that curtains and blinds should not be hung over the cot as they could strangle babies or cause them to fall on their heads when they sway around in their sleep.
A low-cost purchase that's robust, this cot bed is suitable from birth until the age of toddler. It offers a variety of mattress positions and is easily converted into an infant bed by removing one side panel. It's also a good option for parents with ceilings that slope as it has castors that can be locked to stop the cot from falling down.
This wooden cot bed in vintage style is another cot that can be easily converted. It can be used by children from birth up to age 4. It features an unique oval shape that means it won't be stuck in corners and will easily fit through standard door frames. tots and cots can also be transformed into a stylish bench-style bed for an older child by removing the bars.
A high-quality piece that's a great investment This curved cot bed is available in off-white or fashionable green and is sure to be the centerpiece of any nursery. It is a great choice for parents who are seeking a durable item. It can be transformed into a bed for toddlers by removing its sides, and then into a twin bed for older children when the front rails are removed. It's also incredibly durable and comes with a storage drawer and teething rails as well as an ideal hanging rail for muslins or blankets.
Cots with Drawers
There are numerous options on the market, whether you're looking for additional storage space for your baby's bedding, clothing or a design that can grow with them. Some cots can be converted into toddler beds, making the change to a toddler bed easy once your child is no longer in the habit of using it. Some come with built-in drawers to store things in and some include a changing station included!
It's convenient to have a cot that has drawers for all the toys, blankets, muslins or other things that your child loves. It also makes it easier to tidy it up since everything is all in one spot. A majority of these cots feature anti-bite strips of plastic on the sides - great for teething babies!
If you're looking to save money but still require a stylish and practical cot then the Ikea Sniglar is a good choice. It has a simple and slimline aesthetic that'll be a good fit in any room. It can be used in conjunction with a standard cot and comes with three heights adjustable for the base to increase with your child. It can be converted into a toddler's bed by taking off the side panel. There are matching furniture pieces to go along with it.
Although it's not easy to construct (one of our testers noted that the instructions weren't clear) Once it's assembled, it's lightweight and strong. It also has an added bonus: a tilting feature that can help with colic or reflux. It's also available in a range of colors, meaning you can coordinate it with other furniture in the nursery if you want a coordinated appearance.
Cots with Storage
If you'd like to keep your baby's toys and bedding away from view however, they are still within reach, a cot that has storage options is the best choice. The majority of cots have an easy-to-access drawer where you can put away a lot of your essentials and some come with hanging rails for muslin cloths or blankets, as well as teething rails to guard the sides of the cot from teething inclinations.
Based on the style of your cot you might be able to transform it into a toddler bed or day bed if your child is ready for an upgrade, and some can even be converted into a junior bed after your child turns five. This gives you great value for money and guarantees that your cot will be a part of the family for years to come, but be sure to verify the dimensions to ensure it's a good fit for your nursery before buying.
If you're looking for a chic cot that can be used from birth to 2 years old and will develop with your child Look no further than the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed. This classic crib is simple in its design but offers plenty of features including an under-bed storage drawer, a teething rail, and adjustable height levels. It's also simple to put together with alphabetically labeled parts and excellent instructions.
The SNOO Smart Sleeper, a cutting-edge solution to get a better night's sleep, is a cot, bassinet, and moses basket in one. It's set to revolutionize the way babies sleep, and is backed by expert advice from international sleep experts. It's an investment, however, and may be out of budget for many families. You can read more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our full review.