How to Choose the Best Cot For Newborns
A cot is a baby's first bed and will be their sleep space until they reach around four years old. You want it to be sturdy, comfortable and safe.
Make sure it is a gap-free mattress, as gaps can pose a suffocation risk for babies. Also, look for a cot that converts into a toddler bed.
Single Cot
The OEX Ultralite folding cot is among the lightest options on market. homepage weighs 2.68kg and is nearly half the cost of the Helinox version I tried. It's also much simpler to set up - the two poles are able to snap together like abnormally burly tent poles complete with shock cord to keep them in order, then they slide easily into sleeves that fit on their legs. You just need to place your feet inside them to set up the sleeping surface.
The only downside is that it's difficult to remove - you need to be really strong to pull out the legs and then it requires some effort to take apart the frame. But that's a minor complaint and it's the most lightweight cot I've tried.
If you're looking for something a little more robust and long-lasting, take an interest in the variety of cot beds on the market. They're generally suitable from birth until around 2 years, so you'll have to buy a single bed for your child at some time if you choose this option.
Some children will stay in the cot longer but the majority will want to go to their first single mattress as a reward for being a big sister or brother!
The Cot One provides a comfortable sleep for babies and young children on any surface, including hard surfaces. It's also simple to install, with no small parts that can be lost, and it's secure enough to be held by a toddler without having any wobbly bits to worry about.
Double Cot
A double cot is ideal for twins or siblings that need to share a bed. It offers the same safety features as a single cot including side rails as well as an slatted base that can be adjusted as your child grows. It comes with multiple support areas, so you can personalize it to your child's needs. Furthermore, it's the only cot that we tested that is designed to accommodate multiple infants at once as it can hold two babies as big as 325 lb. and 72 inches long. This is a big selling point for families who will require sharing space with more than one baby.
One feature that many parents adore about this crib is that it can convert into a toddler bed, and later into an adult bed, giving it an extended lifespan and means that you won't have to buy a new bed. This is great for those who have a tight budget, and will save you money as your child grows.
Cot beds are the preferred sleeping option for a lot of health professionals since they provide the best safety for your baby. The bed is designed to be used up until your child reaches two years old. After that, it needs to be converted into an adult bed or a toddler bed.
This is the only cot that we tested with an adjustable base. The base is adjustable to the lowest setting from birth and the highest for when your baby can roll over. This is an essential feature as children can suffocate when their head is caught between gaps or protrusions within the cot.
This cot's only downside is that it isn't easy to fold and can be difficult to get the legs into the right position. It's also the largest cot on our list, and can be heavy to carry if you have to move it from the storage location.
This premium wood cot is the perfect option if you're looking for a cot with all the features. This beautiful piece of furniture will enhance design, comfort and function in your living space. It is also stunning in any nursery and blends well with a range of different styles of bedrooms for kids when your child is old enough to outgrow it.
Triple Cot
Cots provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your baby and ensure that they get the sleep they need. The base can be raised to accommodate your baby's development stage. They are typically lower than beds. A majority of cots come with a drop-side that allows you to co-sleep safely with your baby. This allows you to feed your baby at the evening. Some cots offer the option of taking one side off completely, allowing you to use it as an infant bassinet. This is a more secure option to co-sleeping with your child in your bed.
Some cots have additional features that simplify the lives of parents. They include a drawer underneath the cot which is ideal to store things in, rails that protect teething babies, and a riser leg which can create an angle that can be used for reflux babies. Silver Cross Westport Cot Bed is one of our favourites. It is not only elegant with its minimalist Scandi design and oak finish, but also very practical, with three different height settings for the mattress.
Having good quality sleep is vital for all babies, so it's worth spending the time finding the right cot or crib for your newborn. If you are trying to figure out what kind of crib or cot is the best option for your baby, why don't you attend an NCT New Baby Course and look at the different options with a trained group leader and other parents who are new?
There are a number of things to take into consideration when purchasing a cot, including the depth of the cot and its sides, if it has a drop side for petite infants or those with health issues as well as the capacity of the cot's storage, whether it has a removable hood and if it comes with bedding. It is also worth checking the dimensions to ensure that your baby's crib or cot will fit in your nursery/bedroom with plenty of room for movement and not too close to heating sources or windows.
Quadruple Cot
If you're expecting triplets or twins then you'll need a quadruple cot. These cots are large enough to accommodate four babies at once, and they come with bedding sets that make it easy to get your baby ready to go to bed. Some also have a side rail that can be removed to allow you to place your child near you while they sleep. If you have more than one child, you might think about a product that has a bunk bed that can be transformed into a single.
A lot of cots come with an adjustable mattress that can be adjusted to fit your baby's height. This is a great option to consider if you're worried that your baby might fall asleep in the night. It's an excellent idea when your child is beginning to stand. Some mattress for cots are made of natural materials like wool or cotton. However there are models made with polyurethane.
Pick a cot that has mesh sides. This allows air to circulate, keeping your baby cool. Make sure you check the bars' length too and ensure that they do not be more than 6.5cm apart to keep your baby from escaping. Avoid cots with solid foot and head boards as they could trap clothing or the limbs of your child.
The ease of cleaning the cot needs to be considered. Make sure it can be washed in the machine and what the care instructions are for the fabric and any other parts that can be removed. Also, you should determine if your standard cot bedding fits or if you need to purchase some special travel cot sheet.
Babies require lots of toys, including nappies (which can quickly accumulate!) Bedding, clothing and toys. A cot with storage space, such as the Obaby Stamford Space Saver Cot, can help you organize everything neatly and easily accessible.