Best Cots For Newborns

A cot is an elevated bed for your child that prevents them from falling out. There are a variety of styles, from bedside cribs to travel cots.

The mum tester Jasmin appreciated the cot's storage space that is perfect for blankets and sheets. It is also easy to set up and has an inclined design to ease reflux.

1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed

Cot beds are a new parent's best friend. They keep baby safe and (hopefully) asleep peacefully. When looking for a crib, there are a lot of things to consider. From safety and specifications to design and style. A good cot should last from birth to toddlerhood. Therefore, durability is essential. This cot is stylish and robust and is in compliance with all the most recent guidelines. It's also affordable, and comes with an extra mattress.

Gemma, mother of Boden, 13 months, tested the product.

This cot is a fantastic example of how Mamas&Papas can create stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a stylish option for the first room of your baby and features a modern gray finish that can be matched to any colour scheme. It can also be converted into a cool daybed or toddler bed for longer-term use. It also comes with two different heights for the base, making it more secure and easier to reach your child than a traditional drop side cot. It's also built with a shaped base, that means it can fit through most standard doorways, which is a huge benefit for stressed parents. There's even a matching dresser and change table to keep your baby's essentials close at hand.

2. SnuzFino Cot Bed

This crib is designed to be used by your baby from birth to about four years old. It has two mattress heights, which means you can start with a high-height base and then lower as your little one grows and learns to sit on their own. It won Gold in the Mother&Baby awards 2024 for the best cot, crib or Moses basket, and is a top pick for parents.

The slats of this cot are spaced closer apart than other models we tested, which makes it more streamlined and ideal for smaller bedrooms. It has a convenient side door that lets you reach in easily to feed, change nappies or change nappies. Our tester took only 12 minutes to put together the cot.

Look for cot beds that conform to safety regulations. To keep your baby's legs from becoming trapped, all cots 4 tots should have bars no more than 6cm apart. Also, check that the slats have been securely fixed to avoid any loose or loose fastenings.

It is crucial that your baby has a mattress that is comfortable for their cot. Choose pocket springs or latex coated Coir mattresses as they offer the best support and don't shrink like foams. You should also invest in a waterproof mattress cover, because any dirt that gets into the mattress and cause your baby to sweat or feel uncomfortable.

Some cots come with extra features like gentle rocking motions that help your baby settle (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), Best Cots adjustable inclines that ease reflux, and storage for nappy necessities (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are a great addition, but remember to only purchase additional items that are safe and are suitable for your baby's.

3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib

This crib is perfect for those who want to use it from birth and have it close to your bed while your baby sleeps. It has a compact design that can easily fit through standard door frames and weighs just 6kg, which means it's easy to move around your home. It's also a breeze to climb up and down from, perfect for those nappy changes.

It's light and portable, meaning it is easy to move between rooms or even during a trip. Its stand-alone design is popular with new parents who want to easily access their infant in the early stages. It comes with a fitted mattress and a reflux wedge cover, both of which are beneficial features.

It also converts to a toddler bed when you purchase the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents because it it will last until your child is ready to move on from cot life. It's a stunning cot with Scandi-inspired designs that will look lovely in your nursery. It's also good value for money if you consider how long it will be used for.

Another great option is this simple solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to three years and costs only PS372. Our test subjects loved its sleek paneled appearance. It's easy to put together and comes with teething rail, a storage drawer, and adjustable height settings. Its small dimensions make it a great option for people with sloped ceilings or smaller spaces. Its robust construction means it will last for a long time and not break like some cot-beds.

4. Babyletto Bedside Crib

This crib for bed is ideal for parents who want to cuddle their infant close to them prior to the time to go to bed. The NHS recommends that newborns be kept in a separate room for the first 6 months, but many parents find their child close before bedtime soothing.

The cot comes in a variety of colors and non-toxic paints which means it can be customized to your nursery or bedroom decor. It's a great option for parents who have low ceilings and don't want to occupy too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights and can be tilted in four positions and includes an incline that helps with reflux.

It's also a well-constructed product that will last into the toddler years. One test-taker said that her baby used the crib for two months and it was in good enough condition to pass on to her youngest.

This cot is also small and compact and easy to assemble and move around. It's an ideal fit for parents who have smaller spaces and can also be used as a travel cot, too. It was simple to put together, and testers loved the storage drawer, which held all of your baby's essentials. It's a bit pricey however, it's well worth the cost for its design and function. You'll need an additional mattress for this cot. We recommend a firm, breathable mattress that fits snugly to stop your child from being trapped. It should be a few inches smaller than the frame of the cot in order to prevent your child from being capable of climbing out.

5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot

The SnuzFino cot is one of our most elegant, but it isn't just about appearances. It's designed to last your newborn for the first 18 months of their life. It can also be converted to a toddler's bed by incorporating an additional toddler kit. The design is chic and timeless and our test subject thought it would fit any nursery. Especially if you choose an accompanying changing table and wardrobe.

No matter what kind of cot you select, ensure that it is in compliance with the appropriate standards for your baby's age and your home. The spacing between bars must not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) which will stop babies' heads from getting trapped. The surface should be smooth to avoid suffocation risks. You'll also need to buy the right cot mattress which must be a perfect fit without gaps at the edges and be made from breathable materials to keep your baby's temperature in check.

While it's tempting to purchase a cot with additional features such as drawers for storage built-in and side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as with the Mamas and Papas Lua Cot), these should be carefully considered in light of your budget and lifestyle. The best cots are designed for your Baby Crib to sleep safely and comfortably and you can usually find cot beds with plenty of storage space without costing a lot.

If you're looking for a high-tech alternative, the SNOO Smart Sleeper crib has a built-in sensor that responds to the baby's cry and gently rocks their body to sleep in a manner that replicates their mother's womb. The cost is a bit steep, but it could be worth the investment for fussy sleepers.