Mini Cot Beds
If you're kitting out a smaller nursery or simply want an alternative to a traditional cot mini cot beds are a great option. These are designed to last until your child is four years old. They come in a wide variety of colours and styles.
Our mum testers were enthralled by this comfy
baby cot from Boori. It's simple to build it looks stunning and comes with many additional features, such as teething rails as well as storage drawers.
Style and Design
When you are choosing a cot for your baby, it's easy to get caught-up in the safety and specification features. But don't forget the design. You need a cot that looks fashionable and will blend into your nursery, regardless whether it's a traditional or modern configuration.
Obaby Maya Mini Cot Bed, our top pick for this category, is a beautiful piece that is easy to put together and looks great in any room. It's also extremely sturdy and the only cot we tested that we believed would stand the test time. The narrow bars mean there are no nooks and crevices for dust to accumulate and make cleaning as simple as possible. As your baby grows and develops, you can lower the base to stop them from climbing out. The teething rails guard them from sharp teeth.
Another beautiful piece is the Silver Cross Nostalgia - a gorgeous sleigh-style cot that's ideal from birth and can be transformed into a toddler bed using an extension kit (sold separately). The three height positions keep your child in a comfortable position as they grow, however the tedious assembly process could put some people off. It is also expensive but it is worth it if your goal is a timeless design which will last for a long time. Gemma is the mother of Boden, aged 13 months.
Durability
When purchasing a mini-cot, the quality is important as this piece of furniture will last until the toddlerhood. We've tested a wide selection of cot beds to ensure that they have the highest quality of durability and are built to last. We also looked at design and style, ingenuity features, comfort, convertibility storage, and other features to help you choose the
best baby cots cot bed for your family.
We have the
Best cot for newborn cot bed for your nursery regardless of whether you're looking for something elegant or modern. We have chosen a range of styles and finishes to meet the needs of all budgets and tastes, from simple and practical to luxurious and costly. We've also tried a couple of convertible cot beds so that you get the best value for money and use this piece of furniture into your child's toddler years.
This elegant solid oak cot made by Clair de Lune is an exquisite double-framed piece that's designed to be more than a place to sleep your baby. The wood is of high-end quality and is precisely crafted to ensure durability and longevity. Grace, our MFM tester found the assembly to be easy and the packaging was designed to ensure that no components were left in the dust. This cot does come with a mattress, however you will have to purchase it separately.
Innovation
A lot of mini cots are designed with efficiency in mind. They feature innovative design elements that maximize the space and efficiency. For example, some models come with a built-in diaper change station, which makes it much easier to change your baby. This helps to improve the comfort of both you and your baby during the diaper changing process, while also making it more secure by keeping all the necessary supplies within reach.
Other designs that are innovative include a crib with a built-in trundle for extra storage or a cot which folds into a small unit. These compact designs are ideal in homes with limited space or in homes where the nursery is also used as an additional bedroom. Some models also convert into a sofa, offering an additional level of flexibility and function for your growing child.
In terms of safety, most mini cots are designed to protect your child's safety with features like side rails that are secure and non-toxic finishes. This ensures that they are safe and secure throughout their first few years.
Obaby Nika is a modern premium cot bed that has exceptional safety features as well as a chic design. It's a bit smaller than its larger counterpart but doesn't skimp on the functionality, offering three mattress positions to accommodate your growing baby and even teething rails. Additionally, our reviewer noted that it easy to set up and move around the room after it was completed, and its unique oval design ensures it can easily fit through standard door frames, which is a huge benefit for stressed parents.
Comfort
When you are planning your baby's nursery, it's easy to get caught-up in the safety and specification features. But comfort is equally important. If your little one will spend much of their time in their mini cot bed, they need to be safe and comfortable.
It's especially important to consider this when you're thinking of using a Moses basket instead. It is recommended that babies sleep close to their parents for the first six months, so a cosy, comfortable cot will ensure they can do that while remaining close to you.
The Great Little Trading Company Little Wren Cot Bed is a great choice if you're looking for a top cot that fits in a
small cot beds space but can still offer ample space for your baby to develop into a toddler. It's not cheap, but it does come with a one-year guarantee and provides a great value for money seeing as you can use it from birth until toddlerhood.
The Mamas & Papas Franklin cot bed is another good option when you're looking for a cot that has added extras like a handy drawer, teething rails and two adjustable height positions. Our test participant Jill found it a doddle to put together, and she loved the way it fit through door frames that are standard. You'll need to purchase an oval mattress separately.
Convertibility
Cot beds last longer than standard cribs and give your child a bed from birth to toddlerhood. This makes cots a better choice than cribs. They also are an economical option since you don't need to purchase a new bed for your child after they're old enough to use it.
Some cots and cot beds are designed to grow with your child, transforming into junior beds or small sofa beds. Stokke Sleepi, for example, can be used until age 2 with the purchase of an additional mattress extender and junior conversion kit (sold separately). It's simple to install and looks fantastic in any nursery. However, you'll require a fitted sheet for the cot-bed, not a crib because the gaps are quite big.
For a more simple option, you can opt for the Obaby Nika mini cot bed, suitable from birth to around four years old. It's small and has a modern nursery look with a textured oak finish. It has three mattress base positions for your growing baby, and teething rails that protect them.
At Pram Centre, you'll find an array of fashionable and modern cots that will create a cozy nursery for your child. Our selection includes a range of custom designs from top brands like Mamas & Papas, Obaby and many others. Many of them come with adjustable features that can be altered to accommodate your child's needs. You can also pick up a variety of extras to help keep your baby secure and comfortable, such as a padded toddler guard to prevent them falling out, or a ventilated fitted cot mattress to encourage healthy sleeping habits.
Storage & Extra Features
Think about a design that can be transformed into an adult bed should you be a future parent seeking a cot that will last for many years after your child is outgrown it. This will save you money purchasing separate furniture for your toddler and will assist your child make a smooth transition from their cot into their bed.
The Katie mini Sleigh cot from Silver Cross is an example of a cot that is compact and has built-in storage.