Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is a bed for your baby that has high sides to stop them from falling out. There are many styles, from bedside cribs to travel cots.
Mum tester Jasmin loved the cot's handy storage compartment to store spare sheets and blankets. It's also easy to set up and comes with an incline setting to help alleviate reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are often a parent's best friend. They keep baby snug, and (hopefully) asleep soundly. When shopping for a there's plenty to consider, from specs and safety to design and style. A good cot should last from newborn to toddlerhood. Therefore, durability is crucial. This cot is sleek, sturdy and complies with the most recent regulations. It's also priced reasonably and comes with a mattress.
Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden 13 months old
This cot is a great illustration of how Mamas&Papas can design stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a modern choice for the baby's first bedroom with an elegant grey finish that will match any colour scheme. It can also be transformed into a cool day bed or a toddler bed for long-term use. It also comes with two different heights for the base, making it safer and easier to reach your baby than a standard drop-side cot. tots and cots allows it to pass through the majority of doors, which is a great benefit for parents who are time-strapped. There's even a dresser and change table to keep all your newborn essentials close by.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This cot will grow with your baby from birth to about four years of age. It comes with two mattress heights, so you can start with a higher base and then lower as your little one grows and begins to sit on their own. It was given Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for the best Moses basket, cot or crib.
The slats of this cot are positioned more together than some of the other models we tested This makes it more streamlined and ideal for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It has a convenient side door that lets you access the room easily to feed or change nappies, or change the nappies. Our tester took just 12 minutes to set up the cot.
Find cot beds that conform to safety regulations. To prevent your baby's legs from becoming trapped, all cots should have bars that are no more than 6cm apart. Make sure the slats on your cot are securely fastened to prevent any loose or fittings that are rusty.
It is essential that your baby sleeps on a mattress that is comfortable for their cot. Select mattresses made of latex-coated coir or pocket springs, which provide the most support and do not sag. It's worth investing in a waterproof cover, too, as any soiling will go directly into the mattress and could cause your baby to sweat or be uncomfortable.
Some cots come with extra bonuses, such as gentle rocking motions to help settle your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot) and adjustable inclines to ease reflux and storage for the nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a great option, but make sure to only purchase items that fit securely and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
If you're looking for an infant crib that you can use from birth and place near your bed while baby sleeps, this might be what you're looking for. It's compact design fits through doors with standard frames, and it weighs just 6 kg. This makes it easy to move about your home. It's also a breeze to climb up and down from, perfect for changing nappy.
It's light and portable, so you can easily move it between rooms or even during a trip. Its standalone design is a favorite among new parents who want to be able to easily access their infant during the first few days. tots and cots comes with the cover for a reflux wedge and a fitted mattress and a mattress, both of which are useful features.
It can also be converted into a toddler bed with the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents because it means it will last until your child is ready to move on from cot life. This is a gorgeous cot bed with a Scandi style. It will look fantastic in your nursery.
Another great alternative is this basic solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to three years old and costs just PS372. Our test subjects loved the stylish design of the panel. It's simple to assemble and includes teething rail, a storage drawer and adjustable height settings. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for those with a smaller space or with a sloped ceiling. Its solid construction also means it will stand the test of time and won't be at risk of falling apart as some cot beds are.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib that is placed at the bedside is ideal for parents who wish to snuggle their baby up close before the time to go to bed. The NHS recommends that babies be kept in a separate area for the first six months, but many parents find it relaxing to have their child in close proximity prior to putting them to sleep.
The cot comes in a variety of colors and non-toxic paints, so it can be matched to your nursery or bedroom decor. It's a great choice for parents who have high ceilings that slope and do not want to take up too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights and can be tilted to four different positions. This includes an incline for reflux.
It's also a well-constructed design that will last into the toddler years. One tester for parents said that her baby was in the crib for two months and that it was in good enough condition to be passed on to her next.
This cot is also compact and small, making it easy to put together and move around. It's an ideal fit for parents with smaller spaces and can also be used as a travel cot too. It was easy to put together and testers were impressed by the storage drawer that held everything your baby needs. It's not cheap however it's a worthwhile purchase due to its design and the functionality. You'll need to buy a mattress separately for this crib. We recommend a comfortable, breathable, and a snugly-fitting mattress to prevent your child from suffocating. It should be a couple of inches smaller than the frame of the cot to ensure that your child is not capable of climbing out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino cot is among our most elegant, but it isn't just about looks. With two height settings for the mattress the cot can see your baby through the first 18 months and can even convert into an adult bed with the addition of an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is timeless and stylish, and our testers found it would look great in any nursery, particularly if you opt for a matching changing table and wardrobe.
No matter which cot is chosen, make sure it is in line with the guidelines applicable to your baby's age and home. The bars' spacing should not exceed 6.5cm (two inches) which will prevent infants from getting their heads trapped. Additionally the surface shouldn't be rough to avoid being suffocated. You'll also have to purchase a suitable cot mattress, which should fit perfectly with no gaps at the edges and be made from breathable materials that keep your baby's temperature in check.
While it's tempting to purchase a cot with additional features, such as built-in storage drawers and sides that can be removed for the bassinet (as with the Mamas&Papas Lua Cot) however, these must be carefully considered in light of your budget and your lifestyle. The best cots allow your baby to rest comfortably and securely. cots offers can find all-in-one cots with plenty of storage that don't cost a fortune.
If you're looking for a cutting-edge alternative, the SNOO Smart Sleeper cot has a built-in sensor which responds to your baby's crying and gently rocks their body to sleep in a manner that mimics their mother's womb. The price is expensive, but it could be worth it for sleepers who are fussy.