Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is a bed for your baby with high sides to prevent them from falling out. There are numerous styles available, from bedside cribs to travel cots.
The mother tester Jasmin was impressed with the cot's storage compartment that is perfect for blankets and sheets. It's also simple to set up and has an incline option to aid in reducing reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are often the perfect companion for parents. They keep baby snug, and (hopefully), sleeping soundly. When shopping for a cot, there are many things to take into consideration. From safety and specifications to design and design. And a good cot needs to last through newborn stages and into toddlerhood, so durability is essential. The cot is stylish and robust and meets all the current guidelines. It's also priced reasonably, and comes with an extra mattress.
Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden 13 months old
This cot is an excellent example of how Mamas&Papas can create stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a modern option for a baby's first room, with an elegant grey finish that will match any colour scheme. It can also be converted into a cool daybed or a toddler bed for long-term use. It also has two different heights for the base, making it more secure and easier to reach your child than a standard drop-side cot. The shaped base allows it to fit through doors of all sizes and is a huge advantage for parents who are time-strapped. The dresser/changer is a perfect match to keep the essentials for your baby close to hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This crib is designed to be used by your baby from the time of birth to around four years old. It has two levels of mattress which means you can start with a lower base and then move to a lower one as your baby grows and teaches them how to sit on their own. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby awards in 2024 for the best cot, crib or Moses basket and is a top choice for parents.
The slats of this cot are positioned more apart than other models we looked at, which makes it more compact and suitable for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It also features a handy side door, allowing you to access it easily for feeding, nappies or changing. Parents loved how easy it was to put together, with our tester taking just 12 minutes to have it set up and ready for use.
Find cot beds that meet safety regulations. All cots must have bars that are no more than 6.5cm apart to ensure your baby's limbs don't get caught. Make sure the slats on your cot are securely attached to prevent any loose or rusty fittings.
It is important that your baby sleeps on an incredibly comfortable cot mattress. Find pocket springs or latex-coated Coir mattresses as they provide the most support and don't shrink like foams. It is important to invest in a waterproof cover too, as any soiling will go directly into the mattress and make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.
Some cots also come with extra bonuses like gentle rocking movements to help settle your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines to help 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 you can use from birth and put close to your bed when the baby sleeps, this might be just what you're looking for. It's compact design fits through standard door frames, and weighs only 6kg. This makes it easy to move about your home. It's also easy to get up and down, making it the perfect choice for changing nappy.
best cots of our mum test subjects described it as "exceedingly easy to put together." Its lightweight design lets you easily move it between rooms or even take it with you on vacation if you wish. Its stand-alone design is popular with new parents who need to access their newborn easily in the early stages of parenting. It comes with a comfortable mattress and a wedge cover for reflux and a wedge cover, both of which are useful features.
It can also be converted into an infant bed using the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents since it it will last until your child is ready to step away from the cot. It's a beautiful cot bed with Scandi-inspired looks that will look lovely in your nursery. It's also a good value when you consider the length of time it will be used for.
This solid pine cot is a great option. It is suitable for children ranging from birth to 3 years old and costs only PS372. Our testers loved its elegant panelled design. It's simple to put together and has an excellent storage drawer, teething rail and height settings that are adjustable. They are helpful for keeping your newborn safe. Its small size means it's a great option for anyone who has a smaller space or who has sloped ceilings. Its strong construction ensures that it will last for an extended period of time and not break like some cot-beds.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This bedside crib is perfect for parents who wish to wrap their child close to them before the time to go to bed. The NHS suggests that babies be kept in a separate bedroom for the first 6 months however, many parents find their child near them before bedtime calming.
This cot from Babyletto is made with non-toxic paint in a wide variety of colors, so you can make it a part of the decor of your nursery or bedroom. It's a good option for parents with sloped 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, including an incline which aids in reflux.
In addition to looking beautiful, it's a solid design that is built to last the toddler years as well. One test-taker stated that her child used the cot for two babies and it was still in good enough condition to pass on to her youngest.
Another benefit is that the cot is small and compact, so it's easy to build and move around if needed. It's a great option for parents who have limited space. It can also function as a portable cot. Testers said it was easy to put together and loved the storage drawer to keep all your little one's necessities. It's a bit costly, but it's worth the cost due to the design and function. The cot isn't equipped with an mattress, so you'll need to purchase one separately. We recommend opting for a firm, breathable mattress that is snug to prevent your child from being suffocated. It should be a few inches shorter than the frame of the cot in order to ensure that your child is not able to climb out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino is among the most stylish cots we have on our list, but it's not all about looks. With two mattress heights this cot will carry your baby through their first 18 months. It can transform into a toddler bed by adding an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is chic and timeless and our testers found it to be a perfect fit for any nursery. Especially if you choose the matching changing table and wardrobe.
No matter what kind of cot you choose, always make sure it meets the relevant regulations for your baby's age group and your home. The bars' spacing should not exceed 6.5cm (two inches) in order to prevent children from getting their heads trapped. Also the surface should not be rough to prevent suffocation. You'll also need to buy the right cot mattress that is ideally sized with no gaps around the edges. It should also be constructed of breathable materials to keep your baby's temperature in check.
Although it's tempting to purchase a cot with extra features like built-in storage drawers and side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as with the Mamas & Papas Lua Cot) These should be carefully considered in light of your budget and your lifestyle. The most suitable cots allow your child to rest comfortably and safely. There are many all-in-one cots with plenty of storage that won't cost a fortune.
If you're looking for a high tech option for your baby, the SNOO crib with Smart Sleeper includes a built-in sensor that responds to your baby's crying. It gently lulls into the same way as their mother's womb. The price is expensive, but it could be worth the investment for sleepers who are fussy.