Best Cots For Newborns

A cot is an elevated bed for your child, which prevents them from falling off. They are available in a variety of styles ranging from bedside cribs (bassinet-style cots that attach to your side of the bed for safe co-sleeping) to travel cribs beds.

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 incline setting that can aid in reducing reflux.

1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed

Cot beds can be the best friend of parents. They keep baby snug, and (hopefully) asleep peacefully. When shopping for a, there's a lot to think about, from specifications and safety to design and style. A good cot should last from newborn to toddlerhood. Therefore, durability is crucial. This cot is sleek and durable, and it meets all the most recent guidelines. It's also priced reasonably and includes a mattress.

Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months

This cot is a fantastic example of how Mamas&Papas can create chic and practical nursery furniture. It's a modern choice for a baby's first room, with an elegant grey finish that will fit in with any color scheme. It can also be converted into an adorable toddler bed or day bed to last for a long time. 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. And it's constructed with a shaped base that means it can fit through many standard doors, which is an absolute benefit for busy parents. The dresser/changer is a perfect match to keep the essentials for your baby in your arms.

2. SnuzFino Cot Bed

This cot can grow with your baby from birth to about four years old. It has two mattress heights, so you can start with a high base and then lower as your child grows and begins to sit up unaided. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby awards in 2024 for the best cot beds crib, cot or Moses basket and is a top pick for parents.

The cot is more compact than the other models we have tested. It's also great for smaller spaces. It also has a handy side door that lets you access it easily to feed, nappies and changing. Parents loved how easy it was to put together, with our tester taking just 12 minutes to have it set up.

When choosing a cot bed make sure you choose one that are safe. To keep your baby's legs from getting trapped in the cot, it is recommended that all cots have bars no more than 6 centimeters apart. Also, check that the slats are securely fixed to prevent any loose or loose fastenings.

It is important that your baby sleeps on a mattress that is comfortable for their cot. Look for pocket springs or latex-coated coir mattresses, as these provide the most support and won't slide like foams. You should also invest in an waterproof mattress cover because any dirt that gets into the mattress and cause your child to sweat or feel uncomfortable.

Some cots also come with extra features like gentle rocking motions that 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 are a great addition, but remember to only purchase items that fit securely and are suitable for your baby.

3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib

If you want an infant crib that can be used from birth and put close to your bed while your the baby sleeps, this might be what you're searching for. Its compact design can fit through standard door frames, and it weighs only 6kg. This makes it simple to move about your home. It's also easy to climb up and down, making it perfect for nappy changing.

One of our mom testers described it as being "exceedingly simple to put together." Its lightweight build allows you to easily move it between bedrooms or even take it on holiday If you'd like. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to be able to easily access their infant in the early stages. It comes with a padded mattress and a cover for the reflux wedge and a wedge cover, both of which are useful features.

The included Toddler Kit will also allow it to be converted into a toddler bed, which is great for parents since it will last as long as your child will need it. It's a beautiful cot bed with Scandi-inspired looks that will look lovely in your nursery cots and it's also a good value considering the length of time it will be used for.

Another great alternative is this simple solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to three years old and costs only PS372. Our testers loved its stylish paneled design. It is easy to assemble and includes a teething rail, storage drawer and adjustable height settings. Its small size means it's an ideal choice for those with a smaller room or with a sloped ceiling. Its sturdy stature will also ensure it stands the test of time and will not be at risk of falling apart as some cot beds are.

4. Babyletto Bedside Crib

This crib at the bedside lets parents snuggle their infant close just before bedtime. The NHS suggests that babies be placed in a separate area for the first six months, however many parents find it soothing to be able to hold their child prior to putting them to sleep.

This babyletto cot Babyletto is made of non-toxic paints in a vast range of colors, so you can match it to your nursery or bedroom decor. It's a good option for parents who have low ceilings and do not want to take up too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to eleven different heights and can be can be tilted in four positions with an incline option that helps with reflux.

As well as looking attractive and appealing, it's a durable design that should last through the toddler years as well. One tester for parents told us that her baby used the crib for two years and it was still in good enough condition to be passed on to her next.

This cot is also small and compact which makes it easy to assemble and move around. It is a good choice for parents who have little space. It can also function as an cot that can be moved around. It was simple to put together and testers were impressed by the storage drawer that could hold all of your baby's essentials. It is a bit expensive however it's a worthwhile cost due to the design and functionality. The Mini Cot Bed isn't equipped with a mattress, which means you'll need to buy one separately. We recommend opting for a firm, breathable mattress that fits snugly to keep your baby from getting suffocated. It should be a couple of inches smaller than the frame of the cot in order to prevent your child from being able to get out.

5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot

The SnuzFino cot is one of our most elegant models, but it's not only about looks. It's made to last for the first 18 months of their life. It could also be converted into a toddler's bed by adding an additional toddler kit. The style is stylish and timeless and our test subject found it to be a perfect fit for any nursery. Particularly if you opt for a matching changing table and wardrobe.

Whatever cot you pick, ensure that it complies with applicable 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 stuck, and the surface must be smooth to reduce dangers of suffocation. Also, you'll need to purchase a suitable cot mattress, which should fit perfectly without gaps at the edges. It should also be constructed from breathable materials to ensure that your baby's temperature is kept in check.

Although it's tempting to purchase a cot with extra features like built-in storage drawers, as well as side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as with the Mamas and Papas Lua Cot), these should be considered in light of your budget and your lifestyle. The best cots allow your baby to sleep comfortably and in a safe environment. You can find all-in-one cot beds that have plenty of storage that won't cost a fortune.

If you are looking for a high tech alternative then the SNOO cot with Smart Sleeper comes with a built-in sensor that responds to your baby's cries. It gently rock them into sleep in the same way as the mother's womb. The cost is a bit steep, but it could be worth the investment for sleepers who are fussy.