7 Simple Strategies To Completely Refreshing Your Baby Cot
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 the cot. They should not have sharp edges or protrusions.
The majority of cots have four sides that are secure, ensuring your baby's safety throughout the day. They are usually of an unchanging size, and can be converted to an infant bed as your child grows up.
Standard Cots
Standard cots are ideal for small nurseries and can be easily placed on top of parents' beds and allow parents to keep an eye on their baby whilst they sleep. These cots have fixed sides to stop babies from climbing over them. When your baby is capable of standing and crawling on the sides, they pose a safety risk and should be removed.
Cots are typically circular to help reduce space and are also smaller than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a comfortable and safe place for your child to sleep. They are easily portable and often have wheels or castors so you can move them around.
A lot of cots are simple and basic. Some have extra features like teething rails or drawers for storage. Natural materials are the best as they are durable and resistant to wear and tear. They should be free of stuffed toys or pillows since they can create the risk of suffocation to young children.
A cot bed is a larger version of a cot that features removable sides as well as an end panel. This means it can be converted into a toddler bed when your baby outgrows it. This feature is particularly useful when you plan to have more than one child since it removes the need to switch between different kinds of furniture and helps save money on buying separate beds. Most cribs are suitable from the moment your baby is born until the time he is around two years old, based on their weight and size.
Drop-side Cots
If you have back pain, a cot with a drop-side is the best alternative. You won't have to bend as much over the side. Back pain is a common issue for pregnant women and newly mothers, particularly those who have suffered back injuries in the past.
This type of cot means that your baby can be reached more easily during the day without having to be concerned about your back or lifting them. However, you need to ensure that the gap between the base of the mattress and the base of the cot is at least 4cm in order that your child won't be able to climb out.
If www.cots4tots.co.uk which cot is best for your needs, we recommend getting in touch with Baby's Hyperstore to talk through your options. We can help you find the most secure, stylish cot that grows with your child, meeting all mandatory safety standards.
Our top pick is the John Lewis Elementary cot which received excellent marks in our tests for being simple to construct. Gina mother tester, said it was "a easy assembly with very clear and illustrated instructions". It comes with teething rails and a drawer for storage and 3 different mattress height positions.
The cot is an excellent option for babies who are able to sleep all night. It is important to ensure that the cot's slats and frame are properly fixed and not too loose.
Another thing to look out for is whether the cot has been certified as meeting British safety standards. Prior to 2011, US cots were not tested in the same way as UK models and this has led to some unsafe designs being banned in the USA. Choose a cot that auto locks the drop side when it is in the up position. It will require two consecutive actions to unlock it, which prevents your baby from being able to pull the side down and get out.
Corner Cots
Red Nose, an organization which works to stop sudden infant deaths syndrome, says that any material placed near a baby should be tucked tightly to prevent the possibility of suffocation. Red Nose advises that curtains or blinds should never be left hanging above the cot, since they can be strangulating and infants could catch their heads on them when they roll over in their sleep.
A low-cost purchase that's sturdy, this minimalistic cot bed is suitable from birth until the age of toddler. It offers a variety of mattress base positions and can be easily transformed into a toddler bed by removing one side panel. It's also a great option for parents who have ceilings that slope as it has castors that lock to prevent the cot from falling.
This cot bed made of wooden in vintage style is another cot that can be easily converted. It can be used by children from birth until age 4. Its unique oval shape means that it doesn't get caught in corners and can easily fit into doors with standard frames. By removing the bars, you can convert the cot into a fashionable bed for older children.
This curved cot-bed is a quality investment that can be an outstanding 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 taking out the sides, and then into a twin bed for older children by removing the front rails. It's also incredibly durable and includes a storage drawer, teething rails and a handy hanging rail for blankets or muslins.
Cots with Drawers
If you're looking to add storage space for your baby's clothes or bedding or want a design that will adapt to their needs, there are plenty of options on the market. Some cots can be converted into toddler beds, so that you can easily switch when your child has outgrown them. Others have built-in drawers for storage and some even have a changing station!
It's convenient to have a cot with drawers for all the toys, blankets, muslins or other things that your child enjoys. It is also easier to tidy up since everything is all in one spot. The cots also come with anti-bite strips along the sides, which are great for babies who are teething!
The Ikea Sniglar is an excellent option for those on a tight budget but still want a stylish, practical cot. It's slimline and simple design can be incorporated in most rooms. It can be used in conjunction with a standard cot and has three heights that can be adjusted for the base to grow along with your child. It can be made into a bed for toddlers by taking off the side panel. There are furniture pieces that be used with it.
It can be difficult to put together (one of our testers complained that the instructions were unclear), but once constructed it is light and long-lasting. It also comes with an added benefit: a tilting feature that can help with colic or reflux. It's also available in a range of colours, so you can match it with other nursery furnishings for a cohesive look.
Cots with Storage
A cot that has storage is ideal for those who want to keep your baby's bedding and toys out of sight but within easy reach. They come with a drawer to store all the essentials. Some are also equipped with a teething bar and rails for blankets or muslins.
It is possible to 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 child reaches 5. This is a great option to save money and make your cot a part of the family for a long time. Be sure to verify the dimensions prior to buying to ensure that it is suitable in your nursery.
Obaby's Stamford Luxury Cotbed is a chic cot which can be used for infants from 2 to 2 years old. It can also grow with your child. The classic cot features a simple design, but it has many features like an under-bed drawer that can be used for storage and a rail for teething and height levels that can be adjusted. The cot is easy to build, with alphabetically labeled parts and clear instructions.
For a more advanced sleep solution for your child, the SNOO Smart Sleeper is a baby cot, bassinet and moses basket all in one. It is set to revolutionise the way babies sleep and is backed by expert advice from experts from around the world. The price is high and might not be within the budget of some families. You can read more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our full review.