Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is a bed for your baby that has high sides to prevent them from falling out. There are numerous styles available, from bedside cribs to travel cots.
Mum tester Jasmin liked the cot's convenient storage compartment to store blankets and sheets. It's also easy to set-up and has an incline to alleviate reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are a parent's best friend. They keep baby snug and (hopefully) sleeping soundly. When shopping for a there's plenty to think about, from specifications and safety to design and style. A good cot should last from newborn to toddlerhood. Therefore, durability is essential. This cot is stylish, robust and meets all the latest regulations. It's also reasonably priced and includes a mattress.
Gemma, mother of Boden, 13 months has tested the product.
This cot is an excellent illustration of how Mamas&Papas can create stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a modern option for baby's first bedroom, with a modern grey finish that'll suit any colour scheme. It can also be converted into an adorable toddler bed or daybed for long-lasting use. It comes with two different heights for the base making it easier for babies to reach and more secure than a traditional drop-side cot. It's also built with a shaped base, that means it can fit through the majority of doors, which is a huge benefit for stressed parents. It comes with a dresser and changer to keep the essentials for your baby close at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This crib is designed to support your baby from birth to around four years old. It comes with two mattress levels, so you can begin with a higher level and move down as the baby grows and teaches them how to sit on their own. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby awards 2024 for best crib, cot or Moses basket and is a top choice for parents.
The cot is more compact than other models we tested. It's also suitable for smaller spaces. It comes with a convenient side door that allows you to reach in easily to feed or change nappies, or change the diapers. Parents were impressed by the ease with which this cot was to set up Our tester took just 12 minutes to have it set up.
Make sure that the cot bed you choose conform to safety regulations. To prevent your baby's legs from getting trapped, all cots should have bars no more than 6cm apart. Also, check that the slats are firmly fixed to prevent any loose or rusty fastenings.
A quality mattress for a cot is also essential for your baby's comfort. Look for pocket springs or latex coated Coir mattresses as they offer the best support and don't shrink like foams. It is worth investing in a waterproof cover, too, as any soiling will go directly into the mattress and could make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.
Some cots come with extra bonuses, such as gentle rocking movements to aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines to ease reflux and storage for the nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are fantastic options, but make sure you purchase items that are safe and suitable for your child.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
If you're looking for a crib for your bed that can be used from birth and put near your bed while baby sleeps, this might be just what you're searching for. Its compact design can fit through doors that have standard frames, and it weighs just 6 kg. This makes it simple to move around your home. It's also simple to get up and down, making it perfect to change nappy.
One of our mom testers described it as being "exceedingly simple to put together." Its lightweight build lets you easily move it between rooms or even take it on holiday if you wish. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to easily access their infant in the beginning stages of their child's development. It comes with a fitted mattress and a cover for the reflux wedge that are both beneficial features.
It also converts to a toddler bed with the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents since it means it will last until your child is ready to step away from cot life. This is a gorgeous cot bed that has an Scandi look. It will look stunning in your nursery.
This solid pine cot is also an excellent choice. It is suitable for children ranging from birth to 3 years old, and costs only PS372. Our testers loved the stylish design of the panel. It's simple to put together and comes with a handy storage drawer, a rail for teething and height settings that are adjustable. They can be helpful in keeping your baby secure. Its compact size makes it an ideal option for people who have sloped ceilings or smaller areas. Its robust build also means it will stand the years and won't be susceptible to breaking like cot beds do.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib that is placed at the bedside is ideal for parents who wish to snuggle their baby up close to them prior to bedtime. The NHS recommends that babies be kept in a separate bedroom for the first 6 months but many parents find having their child near them before bedtime soothing.
infant cot bed from Babyletto is made of non-toxic paint in a wide variety of colors, so you can blend it into your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a good option for parents with sloping ceilings who don't want a cot to take up too much floor space. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights, and then can be tilted in four positions with an incline option that aids in reflux.
It's also a solidly built design that will last into the toddler years. One tester for parents stated that her child used the crib for two months and that it was in good enough condition to pass on to her youngest.
The cot is also compact and small and easy to put together and move around. It's a great choice for parents who have little space. It can also function as portable cot. Testers found it easy to put together and loved the storage drawer to keep all your little one's necessities. It's a bit pricey, but worth the investment for its design and function. The cot doesn't include an mattress, so you'll need to purchase one separately. We recommend opting for a comfortable, airy mattress that is snug to keep your child from being trapped. It should be a few inches smaller than the frame of the cot to prevent your child from being able to climb out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino cot is one of our most elegant, but it isn't just about appearances. The cot is made to last for the first 18 months. It can also be transformed into a bed for toddlers by incorporating a separate toddler kit. The design is chic and timeless and our testers believed it would work in any nursery. Particularly if you opt for the matching changing table and wardrobe.
Regardless of what type of cot you select, ensure that it is in compliance with the applicable requirements for your baby's age and your home. The bars' spacing should be no more than 6.5cm (2 inches) which will stop the baby's head from getting trapped, and the surface should be smooth to prevent the risk of suffocation. You'll also have to purchase an appropriate cot mattress which should fit perfectly with no gaps around the edges and made of breathable materials to keep your baby's temperature regulated.
It's tempting, but be aware of your budget and lifestyle prior to buying a cot that comes with additional features such as built-in storage, as well as side panels for the bassinet that can be removed (as the Mamas&Papas Lua Cot). The best cots are made to allow your baby to rest comfortably and safely and often find all-in-one cot beds with plenty of storage without costing a fortune.
If you're looking for a cutting-edge alternative for your baby, the SNOO Smart Sleeper crib comes with a built-in sensor which responds to your baby's crying and gently rock their body to sleep in a motion that resembles the womb of their mother. The price may be a bit steep however, for those who have a difficult time sleeping, it could be worth the cost.