An Baby Cot Success Story You'll Never Imagine
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 protrusions or sharp edges.
The majority of cots have four secured sides, so you can be certain that your child is secure throughout the day. Many cots are available in fixed-size and can be made into a toddler bed as your child gets older.
Standard Cots
Standard cots are ideal for smaller nurseries and can be installed alongside the beds of parents and allow parents to keep an eye on their child as they rest. They are designed to be secure and safe with fixed sides to prevent babies from climbing on the sides. When your baby is able to stand and crawl on the sides, they pose a safety risk and should be removed.
Cots are usually circular to help reduce space and are also more compact than traditional cots. They are easy to clean and provide a comfortable and secure place for your baby to sleep in. They are portable and usually have castors or wheels so that you can move them around.
Many cots are basic and simple. Some have extra features like teething rails or drawers for storage. The best cots are made of natural materials as these are more robust and resistant to wear and tear. It is essential to keep them free of any stuffed animals or pillows, since they can cause children to drown.
A cot-bed is a larger version than a cot, with removable sides and end panels. It can be converted into a toddler's bed when your baby grows out of it. This feature is particularly useful if you expect to have more than one child, as it eliminates having to change between different types and saves money by not buying separate beds. Most cot-beds can be used from birth until around two years of age depending on the weight and size of your infant.
Drop-side Cots
A cot with a drop-side is ideal if you suffer from back pain since it means that you aren't bending over the side as much. This is important since back problems are one of the most common problems amongst new mothers and pregnant women, especially those who have had back injuries previously.
This kind of cot means that your baby can be reached more easily throughout the day without needing to be concerned about your back or lifting them. It is essential to ensure that there is at least 4 cm between the base and the mattress to avoid your child from climbing out.
If you're not sure the best cot for your needs We suggest calling us at Baby's Hyperstore to talk through your options. We can help you find an elegant, safe cot that will grow with your child and meet all safety standards required by law.
John Lewis Elementary cot is our top choice. It was praised for its ease of assembly. Mum tester Gina stated that it was "a dream to construct - extremely clear instructions with photos". It comes with a teething rail and a drawer for storage and three different positions for the mattress's height.
The cot is a great option for babies that sleep all at night. But you should check whether the cot is constructed from a sanitized material such as solid wood, and that the slats have been fixed in a proper manner and not too loose.
Another thing to look for is whether the cot has been inspected as being in compliance with British safety standards. Prior to 2011, US cots were not tested in the same manner as UK models, and this has led to unsafe designs being banned in the USA. Choose a cot that has an auto-locking drop side that locks in the upward position. It will require two consecutive actions to unlock. This will prevent your child from being able pull the side down in order to climb out.
Corner Cots
While photos of styled nursery pictures might show blankets that are artistically draped around a cot, according to Red Nose, a charity campaigning to eradicate sudden infant death syndrome, any fabrics placed near the baby should be pulled into a tight swaddle to avoid the risk of suffocation. Red Nose warns that curtains and blinds should not be left hanging over the cot since they can strangle infants or cause them to crash their heads as they move around in their sleep.
This minimalistic cot-bed is a budget buy, but it's surprisingly sturdy. It's suitable for babies to toddlers. It comes with a wide variety of mattress base positions and can be easily transformed into a toddler bed by taking off one side panel. It's also a great option for parents with sloped ceilings as 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 can be easily converted. It can be used by children from birth up to age 4. It has an unique oval shape that means it won't get stuck in corners and is able to easily fit through door frames that are standard. By removing the bars you can convert the cot into a fashionable bed for older children.
This curving cot-bed is a high-quality investment that can be a stunning centrepiece for any nursery. It is available in stylish green and off-white. It's an excellent choice for parents who value durability, since it can be transformed into an infant bed by removing the sides, and then into a twin bed for an older child by removing the front rails. It is also extremely durable and has a storage area, teething rails, and an excellent hanger for blankets and muslins.
Cots with Drawers
Whether you're looking for extra storage space for your baby's clothes or bedding, or are looking for a design that will grow with them, there are plenty of options on the market. Some cots can be transformed into toddler beds, so that you can easily change them when your child outgrows them. Others have built-in drawers for storage and some even have a changing station!
A cot with drawers is great to store all your little one's favourite toys, muslin cloths, or blankets, and it can also make tidying up easier since you can store everything in the same space. A lot of these cots come with anti-bite plastic strips on the sides, which are great for babies who are teething!
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 minimalist design that's slim and will fit well in most rooms. It takes a standard crib mattress and has three heights that can be adjusted to allow your baby to grow with it. It can be transformed into a toddler's bed by removing the side panel. There are furniture pieces that accompany it.
It's not easy to assemble (one of our testers complained that the instructions weren't clear), but once constructed it is light and durable. It also comes with a bonus: a tilting feature that can aid in treating reflux or colic. It's also available in a range of colors, so you can pair it with other furniture for your nursery for a cohesive appearance.
Cots with Storage
A cot that has storage is ideal when you want to keep your baby's toys and bedding out of view but easily accessible. They usually have a handy drawer where you can store lots of essentials, and some have hanging rails to hang muslin cloths or blankets as well as teething rails to guard the sides of your cot from your child's teething inclinations.
It is possible to transform your cot into a toddler or daybed when your child is old enough to upgrade. Some cots are able to transform into a junior bed when your baby turns 5. This is a great option to save money and make your cot a part of the family for a long time. Make sure Cot Bed check the dimensions prior to buying to ensure it will fit in your nursery.
Obaby's Stamford Luxe Cotbed is a chic cot that is suitable for infants from 2 to 2 years old. It will also grow with your child. The classic cot is simple in design, but it comes with a variety of features including an under-bed storage drawer for clothes, a teething rail, and adjustable height levels. It's also simple to assemble with alphabetically labelled parts and excellent instructions.
For a more high-tech sleep solution The SNOO Smart Sleeper is a bassinet, baby cot and moses basket in one. It is set to revolutionise the way babies sleep and includes expert advice from international experts. The cost is expensive and may not be within the budget of some families. You can learn more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper in our complete review.