How to Choose best crib newborn in the UK
Silver Cross' cot is stylish and sleek with its minimalist design. The warm oak finish makes it an excellent accessory to any nursery. It's also tidy with a drawer and an anti-bite plastic strip on the top rails.
This crib with smart technology could be the answer for your child who is fussy. It responds to their cries by making soothing sounds that mimic the mother's womb.
Size
A cot that is of high quality is the right size to allow your baby enough room to grow without overtaking the nursery. The standard UK size for cots is 70cm x 140cm. This should be sufficient to fit most babies until they reach around three years of age. However, some cots feature curving corners or other features that could create problems with the fit of a mattress, so it is worth double checking the dimensions of your cot before you purchase.
There are cots available at a variety of high-street stores including Dunelm or Ikea. A lot of them also offer a return policy, so you can return any cot that isn't what you want. You can also get a better feel for the size of each cot and how it will fit into your nursery by shopping online.
If you are looking for a cot that is of high-quality, the SNOO Sleeper Smart is a fantastic choice. This cot monitors your baby's cries and responds by gently rocking the baby to sleep, imitating the sounds of the womb. This technology is designed to help your baby achieve an unwinding sleep, and it can be used with any cot or crib. It's a great choice for babies and newborns who are fussy or with breathing problems and can also monitor their sleep patterns to help you understand the habits of your infant.
Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Cot. This minimalistic cot is made of solid beech and has a the ability to remove the panel and transform it into an infant bed. It has a range of mattress bases, so you can alter the height of your child’s sleeping space to meet their needs. It's also a great option for smaller bedrooms or with sloped ceilings, and our panel found it simple to assemble.
Another budget-friendly cot is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday collection. It's available in a range of finishes, from white to dark slate grey and is suitable from birth until your child is four years old. It has three mattress options that let you easily reach your baby. It can also be transformed into a toddler bed by removing the side panels and adding a footboard. The cot is also FSC certified and includes a mattress.
Safety
Cots and cot beds are an essential part of the nursery of your baby's however, they must be secure too. Find a cot that has the code BS EN 716 and that has been certified to meet British safety standards. It must have a flat, firm mattress and shouldn't be stuffed with duvets, pillows or bumpers that aren't recommended.
If you're buying a used cot, be sure to determine the age of it. Lead paint is poisonous for infants. Be sure to look for signs that the cot has been used, particularly along the sides, where children might rub their hands. This could cause irritation to the skin. Be sure to look for any stickers or transfers that may be removed, posing a choking risk to your child.
Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and storage drawers. One of our mum testers was extremely pleased with this John Lewis model for being stylish and practical. It's easy to put together, and the pieces are alphabetized," she said. She also said it was also one of the most simple cribs to convert into a toddler bed. The cot has an open drawer that can be used to keep the nursery tidy. It also has three heights that are adjustable, so you can use it to accommodate your growing baby.
The depth of the cot is an additional important consideration. You should look for an cot that has at least 50cm in depth, as this will prevent your child from climbing onto the cot when they become more mobile. It is also worth considering the kind of mattress you'll need, as there are a variety of options out there from foam, spring interiors or natural materials for allergy sufferers. If you're considering buying an entirely new cot, you may be interested in a mattress protector to protect against spills or stains. It's worth hiring an expert to assess the safety of an old cot and fix any damage. It's usually about PS100 but it's worth it to ensure your peace of mind.
Style
When you're shopping for a baby, it's easy to be engrossed in safety and specs. But don't overlook the design. It's important to choose the right cot for the nursery of your baby and your decor. Numerous cots and bed are available in a variety of colors and designs that can be matched to any nursery furniture and interiors that you choose for your baby's bedroom.
The Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a wonderful example of how stylish a cot can be. Its under-bed storage drawer is a useful feature that has helped it get top marks on our panel, and teething rails as well as 3 adjustable mattress heights make the cot bed as practical as it is fashionable. The cot is simple to put together, even though it comes flat-packed, with simple instructions and labelled parts.
Stokke Sleepi is another option for a stylish and functional cot. It combines Scandi style with the practicality of being able to 'grow with' your child. It can be used as a cot from birth or until your child reaches the age of five, when you can convert it into a bed for toddlers by cutting off a corner. Its sleek oval design and quality construction impressed our test subjects however the cost could be a concern for some.
If you choose the model with bars that are too close together your baby may become trapped or choke. You should also ensure that the drop-side mechanism functions efficiently and reliably, and can't be easily dropped by your child. If you select a cot with bars that are too close your baby may get trapped or choke, and it is important to ensure that the drop-side mechanism works smoothly and reliably and isn't easily removed by your child.
If you're purchasing a cot that converts into a mattress, ensure that it complies with UK safety standards. They are typically BS EN 716 and BS 8509 that have an anti-bite strip at the bar's top. This information is typically included in the description of the product for the cot or bed, but you may also check the website of the seller.
Convertibility
You might want your cot to last for a long time, and some models are made to do that. Many popular cots can be transformed into sofas or toddler beds. This lets you keep using it after the infant stage. They are more expensive because they must support a heavier child for a longer time. However they are an excellent investment if you are planning to use them for a long time after your baby is grown.
It's important to make sure that the cot you select meets UK safety standards. Look for the BS EN 716 code on the product page to confirm this, and also make sure that it has a base that is fully slatted and does not have gaps in any of the sides. If it does not then you'll need to buy a mattress separately.
Some cots have additional features such as a drawer for storage or rails for teething. They can save space and make life easier for parents. Some cots are easy to put together, which is ideal in case you're running out of time or are concerned about putting them together by yourself. One of our mum test subjects rated the John Lewis cot-bed as 'easiest to assemble flatpack'. It comes with clear instructions and pictures.
The Boori cot is another alternative. It has a classic look and comes in a variety of finishes that will suit your nursery. It can be transformed to a toddler bed by taking one side off the cot. It can then be converted into a junior cot with the addition of a footboard. It's also available in a variety of sizes to suit your room, and one of our test parents stated that it lasted for three children.
Another option is the Stokke Sleepi, which has an modular design that permits you to expand it into different configurations. The mini model can be used from birth however, with the addition of the side, it could be converted into an infant's bed. When your child reaches an older age, you can upgrade to a junior bed. It's also a top choice for aesthetics, with our panel loving the natural finish and the smooth oval shape.