Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is a bed for your child with high sides to prevent them from falling out. They come in a range of styles, from bedside cribs (bassinet-style cribs that attach to the side of your bed for safe co-sleeping) to travel
cribs.
The mom tester Jasmin was impressed with the
cheap cot beds's storage compartment which is ideal for sheets and blankets. 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 can be the best friend of parents. They keep baby snug, and (hopefully) asleep soundly. When looking for a cot, there are many things to consider. From safety and spec to design and style. A good cot has to last through newborn stages and even toddlerhood, so long-term durability is crucial. This cot is sleek, sturdy and is in compliance with the most current regulations. It's also priced reasonably and includes a mattress.
Gemma, mother of Boden aged 13 months, tested the product.
This cot is a fantastic illustration of how Mamas&Papas can create stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a contemporary choice for baby's first bedroom, with a modern grey finish that'll suit any colour scheme. What's more, it converts into a stylish toddler bed or a day bed to last for a long time. It has 2 different heights for the base making it easier to reach for baby and more secure than a traditional drop-side cot. And it's constructed with a shaped base, so it fits through the majority of doors, which is a huge benefit for stressed parents. There's even a dresser/changer to keep your baby's essentials close at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
The cot will expand with your baby from birth to about four years of age. It comes with two mattress heights, so you can start with a higher base and then move down as your baby develops and learns to sit up unaided. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby awards 2024 for the best cot, crib or Moses basket and is a top pick for parents.
This cot is more sleek 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 the room easily to feed or change nappies, or change the diapers. Our tester only took 12 minutes to put together the cot.
Look for cot beds that conform to safety regulations. All cots should have bars that are not more than 6.5cm apart to ensure your baby's limbs aren't trapped. Also, ensure that the slats have been securely fixed to avoid any loose or loose fastenings.
A quality mattress for a cot is also essential to ensure your baby's comfort. Look for pockets springs or latex coated Coir mattresses, since they provide the most support and don't sag like foams. It's worth investing in a waterproof cover, too because any dirt will go directly into the mattress and make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.
Some cots come with extra features that include gentle rocking motions that aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot) and adjustable inclines to ease reflux and storage for nappy necessities (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a great alternative, but be sure to only purchase additional items that are safe and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
This crib is perfect for those who want to use it from birth and have it in your bedroom while your baby sleeps. It's compact design fits through doors that have standard frames, and weighs just 6 kg. This makes it easy to move around your home. It's also simple to get up and down it, which is ideal for those diaper changes.
It's lightweight and portable, so you can move it easily between rooms, or even when you go on vacation. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to easily access their newborn during the first few days. It comes with a padded mattress and a reflux wedge cover, both of which are beneficial features.
It also converts to a toddler bed with the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents because it means it will last until your child is ready to move on from cot life. This is a beautiful cot bed that has an Scandi look. It will look fantastic in your nursery.
This solid pine cot is an excellent option. It is suitable for babies to 3 years old, and costs only PS372. Our testers were impressed by its elegant panelled appearance. It's easy to put together and has a handy storage drawer, teething rail and height settings that are adjustable. They help keep your baby secure. Its compact dimensions make it a great option for people with low ceilings or small areas. Its strong construction ensures that it will last for many years and will not break like other cribs.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This bedside crib is perfect for parents who want to snuggle their baby up close to them before bedtime. The NHS recommends that babies be kept in a separate room for the first six months, however many parents find it soothing to be able to hold their child prior to putting them to sleep.
The cot comes in a variety of colors and paints that are non-toxic, so it can be customized to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a great choice for parents with ceilings that slope who don't want a cot to take up a lot of floor space. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights, and then tilted into 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 tester's mother said that her baby had been sleeping in the cot for 2 babies and was still in good condition to pass it on to her next.
This cot is also compact and small which makes it easy to put together and move around. It's an ideal choice for parents who have smaller spaces and can be used as a travel cot, too. Testers said it was easy to put together and loved the storage drawer for storing everything you need for your baby. It's a bit pricey but it's worth it for the look and functionality. You'll need to purchase a mattress for this cot. We suggest settling for a comfortable, airy mattress that fits snugly to stop your child from being drowned. It should be a few inches shorter than the cot frame to ensure that your child is not capable of climbing out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino is one of the more stylish cots on our list however it's not just about appearances. With two height settings for the mattress the cot can see your baby through the first 18 months, and transform into an adult bed with the addition of an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is timeless and chic and our test-run showed that it would look great in any
nursery cots, especially if you opt for a matching changing unit and wardrobe.
No matter what kind of cot you choose, always make sure it meets the appropriate requirements for your baby's age and your home. The spacing between bars should be no more than 6.5cm (2 inches), which will prevent babies' heads from getting trapped, and the surface should be smooth to prevent suffocation risks. You'll need a crib mattress that fits perfectly without gaps around the edges. It should also be made of breathable materials in order to keep your baby's body temperature in check.
While it's tempting to buy a cot with additional features such as built-in storage drawers and side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as with the Mamas and Papas Lua Cot) These should be carefully considered in the light of your budget and your lifestyle. The
best cots for newborns cots are simply designed to let your baby sleep safely and comfortably and you can usually find all-in-one cribs that offer plenty of storage space, without costing a fortune.
If you're looking for a high tech option then the SNOO crib with Smart Sleeper comes with a built-in sensor that responds to your baby's crying.