Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is a bed for your child with high sides to keep them from falling out. They are available in a variety of styles from bedside cribs (bassinet-style cots that attach to the side of your bed for safe co-sleeping) to travel cribs.
Mum tester Jasmin liked the cot's convenient storage compartment to store spare sheets and blankets. It's also simple to set-up and comes with an inclined design to ease reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are a new parent's best friend, ensuring that the baby snug and (hopefully) sleeping peacefully. However, when you're looking for one there's plenty to consider, from spec and safety to design and style. A good cot should be able to last through the infant stages and even toddlerhood, so long-term durability is essential. The cot is stylish and sturdy and meets all the current guidelines. It is also reasonably priced, and includes a mattress.
Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months
This cot is an excellent example of how Mamas&Papas can design stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a contemporary choice for the baby's first bedroom with an elegant grey finish that will fit in with any color scheme. It can also be transformed into a cool daybed or a toddler bed for long-term use. It has 2 different heights of the base, making it easier for babies to reach and safer than a traditional drop-side cot. It's shaped base allows it to fit through the majority of doors, which is a great benefit for parents who are strapped for time. There's even a matching dresser/changer to keep all your newborn essentials close by.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This crib is designed to support your baby from newborn up to around four years old. It has two mattress levels which means you can start with a higher level and move down as the baby grows and learns how to sit on their own. It was given Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for the most beautiful Moses basket, cot or crib.
The slats on this cot are spaced closer together than some of the other models we tested This makes it more sleek and ideal for smaller bedrooms. It comes with a convenient side door that lets you reach in easily to feed or change nappies, or change the nappies. Parents loved how easy it was to set up Our tester took just 12 minutes to get it set up and ready for use.
Look for cot beds that conform to safety regulations. To prevent your baby's legs from getting trapped in the cot, it is recommended that all cots have bars that are not more than 6 centimeters apart. Also, check that the slats are securely secured to prevent any loose or loose fastenings.
A good quality cot mattress is also key for your baby's comfort. Choose recommended cribs cots4totsuk with latex-coated coir or pocket springs that provide the most support and don't sag. It's worth investing in a waterproof cover, too because any dirt will go directly into the mattress and make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.
Some cots come with extra features, such as gentle rocking movements to help your baby settle (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines to help ease reflux, and storage for nappy necessities (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are a great alternative, but be sure to only purchase additional items that fit safely and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
If you want a crib for your bed that can be used from birth and place near your bed while baby sleeps, this one might be what you're searching for. It's compact design fits through doors that have standard frames, and it weighs only 6kg. This makes it easy to move about your home. It's also easy to get up and down, making it perfect to change nappy.
It's light and portable, so you can move it easily between rooms or even during a trip. Its design on its own is popular with new parents who require to be able to reach their baby easily during the first few months of parenting. It comes with a padded mattress and a cover for the reflux wedge that are both beneficial features.
The included Toddler Kit will also allow it to be transformed into a toddler bed, which is great for parents as it will last as long as your child will need it. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired styles that will look stunning in your nursery. It's also a good value considering the length of time it will be used for.
Another option is this simple solid pine cot, which is suitable from birth to three years and costs only PS372. Our testers were impressed by its elegant panelled appearance. It's easy to put together and includes a teething rail, storage drawer and adjustable height settings. Its small size means it's an ideal option for anyone who has a smaller space or with sloped ceilings. Its solid construction will also ensure it stands the test of time and won't be at risk of falling apart as some cot beds are.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib in the bed lets parents snuggle their infant close just before the time to go to bed. The NHS suggests that babies be kept in a separate bedroom for the first six months, but many parents find that having their child close to them prior to bedtime relaxing.
This cot from Babyletto is made with non-toxic paint in a wide range of colors, so you can match it to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's a great choice for parents with low ceilings and don't want to occupy too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights, and then tilted into four positions with an incline option that aids in reflux.
As well as looking attractive and appealing, it's a durable design that should last through the toddler years as well. One parent tester told us that her baby used the crib for two months and that it was in good enough condition to pass on to her youngest.
This cot is also small and small which makes it easy to assemble and move around. It is a good choice for parents with little space. It can also function as a portable cot. Testers said it was easy to assemble and loved the storage drawer for storing all your little one's necessities. It's not cheap, but it's worth the investment because of the design and the functionality. You'll need to purchase a mattress for this crib. We recommend a comfortable, airy mattress that fits snugly to stop your child from being drowned. It should be a few inches shorter than the frame of the cot to ensure that your child is not capable of climbing out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino crib is among our most stylish models, but it's not only about looks. With two mattress heights this cot will carry your baby through the first 18 months, and be converted into a toddler bed by adding an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is elegant and timeless, and our tester believed it would work in any nursery. Especially if you choose an accompanying changing table and wardrobe.
No matter what kind of cot you pick, make sure it meets the relevant standards for your baby's age group and your home. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) that will keep babies' heads from getting trapped. The surface should be smooth to avoid dangers of suffocation. You'll need to purchase a mattress for your cot that is perfect, with no gaps around the edges. It should also be made of air-tight materials to regulate your baby's body temperature.
While it's tempting to buy a cot with additional features such as built-in storage drawers, as well as side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as with the Mamas&Papas Lua Cot), these should be carefully considered in light of your budget and your lifestyle. The most ideal cots allow your child to sleep comfortably and in a safe environment. There are many all-in-one cots with lots of storage space that don't cost a fortune.
If you're looking for a high-tech alternative for your baby, the SNOO Smart Sleeper crib comes with an inbuilt sensor that responds to your baby's cries and gently rock their body to sleep in a motion that replicates their mother's womb. The price is a little steep, but it could be worth it for sleepers who are fussy.