Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is an elevated bed for your child that prevents them from falling out. They are available in a variety of styles, from bedside cribs (bassinet-style cots that are attached to your side of the bed for secure co-sleeping) to travel cribs .
Mum tester Jasmin loved the cot's handy storage compartment that can be used to store spare sheets and blankets. It is also easy to set-up and has an incline that helps with reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are a parent's best friend, keeping baby warm and (hopefully) asleep peacefully. When you are looking for a cot, there are many things to take into consideration. From safety and spec to design and design. And a good cot needs to last through newborn stages and even toddlerhood, so long-term durability is crucial. The cot is stylish and sturdy and is in compliance with all of the latest standards. It's also priced reasonably and comes with a mattress included.
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 option for baby's first bedroom, with modern grey finishes that fit in with any color scheme. Additionally, it can be converted into a stylish toddler bed or daybed to make it a durable bed. It also comes with two different heights for the base, making it safer and easier to reach your child than a traditional drop side cot. And it's designed with a shaped base, that means it can fit through many standard doors, which is a real bonus for time-stretched parents. There's a matching changer/dresser to keep all the essentials for your newborn close at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This crib is designed to support your baby from newborn up to about four years old. It comes with two mattress heights, which means you can start with a higher base and move down as your baby grows and learns to sit up unaided. It was named Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for the most beautiful Moses basket, cot or crib.
This cot is more sleek than other models that we tested. It's also ideal for smaller rooms. It also has a handy side door, allowing you to reach in easily to feed, nappies and changing. Our tester only took 12 minutes to put together the cot.
When choosing a cot bed, look for ones that meet safety standards. To stop your baby's legs from becoming trapped the cot should have bars no more than 6cm apart. Check that the slats of your cot are securely fastened to avoid any loose or fittings that are rusty.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a mattress that is comfortable for their cot. Choose mattresses with latex-coated coir or pocket springs, which offer the best support and do not slide. It is worth investing in a waterproof cover, too since any dirt or soil will go directly into the mattress and make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.
Some cots also come with extra bonuses like gentle rocking motions to help your baby settle (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines that ease reflux, and storage for nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are fantastic additions, but only 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 you can use from birth and keep close to your bed while your the baby sleeps, this might be what you're seeking. Its compact design can fit through doors that have standard frames, and it weighs only 6kg. This makes it simple to move about your home. It is also easy to climb up and down, which makes it ideal to change nappy.
It's light and portable, so it is easy to move between rooms or even during a trip. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to be able to easily access their infant during the first few days. It also includes a reflux wedge cover 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 great news for parents because it it will last until your child is ready to step away from cot life. It's a beautiful cot bed with Scandi-inspired styles that will look gorgeous in your nursery and it's also an excellent value if you consider how long it will be used for.
Another great option is this simple solid pine cot, which is suitable from birth to three years old and costs only PS372. Our testers loved its stylish paneled design. It's easy to put together and comes with an excellent storage drawer, teething rail and adjustable height settings that help keep your baby secure. Its compact size makes it a great option for anyone with a smaller room or with sloped ceilings. Its strong construction ensures that it will last for many years and will not break like some cribs.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib in the bed lets parents snuggle their baby close to them just before bedtime. The NHS recommends that newborns be kept in a separate room for the first 6 months however, many parents find having their child close to them before bedtime calming.
This babyletto cot Babyletto is made with non-toxic paint in a wide variety of colors, so you can make it a part of your nursery or bedroom decor. It's also a good option for parents with ceilings that slope who don't want a cot taking up too much floor space. It can be adjusted to eleven different heights and can be tilted into four positions, including an incline which aids in reflux.
It's also a sturdy design that will last well into the toddler years. One tester's parent said that her baby had slept in the cot for 2 babies and was still in good condition to pass it on to her youngest.
This cot is also compact and small and easy to put together and move around. It's an ideal fit for parents with smaller spaces and can be used as a travel cot, too. Testers found it a dream to assemble and loved the storage drawer to keep everything your child needs. It's not cheap but it's worth it for the look and functionality. The cot isn't equipped with an mattress, so you'll need to purchase one separately. We recommend opting for a comfortable, airy mattress that is snug to keep your baby from getting trapped. It should be a few inches smaller than the frame of the cot to stop your child from being able get out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino crib is among our most stylish models, but it's not just about looks. With two mattress heights the cot can see your newborn through their first 18 months, and transform into a toddler bed with the addition of an (available separately) toddler kit. The style is stylish and timeless, and our tester found it to be a perfect fit for any nursery. Particularly if you opt for a matching changing table and wardrobe.
Whatever cot you choose, always make sure it meets the applicable standards for your baby's age group and your home. The distance between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (two inches) which will prevent children from getting their heads trapped. Additionally, the surface should not be rough to avoid the risk of suffocation. You'll need to buy a crib mattress that fits perfectly, with no gaps around the edges. It must also be made from air-tight materials to regulate your baby's body temperature.
Although it's tempting to purchase a cot with additional features such as built-in storage drawers, as well as removable bassinet sides (as with the Mamas and Papas Lua Cot) These should be considered in light of your budget and lifestyle. The most ideal cots allow your child to rest comfortably and securely. There are all-in one cot beds with plenty of storage that won't cost a fortune.
If you are looking for a modern option, the SNOO crib with Smart Sleeper comes with a built-in sensor that can respond to your baby's cry. It gently rock the baby to sleep in an identical way to the womb of their mother. The price may be a bit steep, but for those with fussy sleepers it might be worth the investment.