Best Cots For Newborns
A crib is a bed for your child with high sides to prevent them from falling out. There are many styles, from bedside cribs to travel cots.
The mom tester Jasmin was impressed with the storage compartment in the cot, which is ideal for blankets and sheets. It's also easy to set-up and has an inclined design to ease reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are a parent's best friend, keeping baby safe and (hopefully) sleeping peacefully. But when shopping for one there's a lot to consider, from spec and safety to design and. A good cot has to last through the infant stages and into toddlerhood, so durability is crucial. This cot is sleek, sturdy and complies with the most recent guidelines. It's also affordable and comes with a mattress included.
Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months
This cot is a great example of how Mamas&Papas can design stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a modern choice for the baby's first bedroom with a modern grey finish that'll suit any colour scheme. Additionally, it can be converted into a cool toddler bed or daybed for long-lasting use. It has 2 different base height positions too which makes it easier for babies to reach and safer than a traditional drop-side cot. It's also built with a shaped base, so it fits through the majority of doors, an absolute benefit for busy parents. It comes with a dresser and changer to keep everything you need for your newborn close to hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This cot will grow with your baby, from birth until around four years old. It comes with two mattress heights, which means you can start with a higher base and then lower as your little one grows and begins to sit up unaided. It won Gold in the Mother&Baby awards 2024 for the best cot, crib or Moses basket and is a top choice for parents.
This cot is more sleek than other models that we've tested. It's also suitable for smaller spaces. It has a convenient side door that allows you to reach in easily to feed and change nappies or change a nappies. Our tester took only 12 minutes to put together the cot.
Make sure that the cot bed you choose conform to safety regulations. All cots must have bars that are not more than 6.5cm apart so that your baby's limbs aren't trapped. Make sure the slats on your cot are securely secured to prevent any loose or rusty fittings.
A quality mattress for a cot is also essential to ensure your baby's comfort. Look for pocket springs or latex-coated Coir mattresses, since they offer the best support and don't sag like foams. It's worth investing in a waterproof cover as well, as any soiling will be absorbed directly into the mattress and cause your baby to sweat or be uncomfortable.
Some cots are also equipped with extra features like gentle rocking movements to aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot) and adjustable inclines to help ease reflux, and storage for the nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a wonderful option, but make sure to only purchase additional items that fit safely and are suitable for your baby's.
3. best cot bed
If you want an infant crib that you can use from birth and keep close to your bed while your baby sleeps, this one might be what you're searching for. It's a small design that easily fits into standard door frames and weighs just 6kg so it's easy to move around your home. It's also easy to climb up and down, making it the perfect choice to change nappy.
It is lightweight and portable, which means you can easily move it between rooms or even on holiday. Its standalone design is a favorite among new parents who want to access their baby easily during the first few days. It also comes with a reflux wedge cover and a mattress that is fitted that are both beneficial features.
It can also be converted to a toddler bed when you purchase the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents because it means it will last until your child is ready to step away from cot life. This is a beautiful crib bed with a Scandi style. It will look great in your nursery.
This solid pine cot is a great option. It is suitable for babies to 3 years old and costs only PS372. Our test subjects loved its elegant panelled design. It is easy to assemble and includes teething rail, a storage drawer and adjustable height settings. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for those with a smaller room or who has sloped ceilings. Its robust construction means it will last for an extended period of time and not break like some cribs.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This bedside crib lets parents snuggle their infant close just before bedtime. The NHS recommends that newborns be kept in a separate bedroom for the first six month, but many parents find having their child close to them before bedtime soothing.
The cot comes in a variety of colors and non-toxic paints which means it can be customized to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's a good option for parents with sloped ceilings and do not want to take up too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights, and then can be tilted to four positions with an incline option that aids in reflux.
As well as looking attractive and appealing, it's a durable design that is built to last the toddler years as well. One parent tester said that her baby slept in this crib for two years and it was in good enough condition to pass on to her youngest.
Another benefit is that this cot is tiny and compact, so it's easy to build and move around if required. It's an ideal fit for parents with smaller rooms and can be used as a travel cot too. It was easy to assemble and testers were impressed by the storage drawer, which held all of your baby's essentials. It's not cheap but it's worth it for the look and functionality. You'll need to purchase a mattress for this cot. We recommend choosing a comfortable, breathable, and well-fitting mattress to stop your child from suffocating. It should be a couple of inches shorter than the frame of the cot to stop your child from being 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 appearances. With two mattress height settings this cot will carry your baby through their first 18 months and can be converted into a toddler bed by adding an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is timeless and chic and our test-run showed that it would suit any nursery, especially if you opt for an accompanying changing unit and wardrobe.
Regardless of what type of cot you select, ensure that it complies with applicable regulations for your baby's age group and your home. The bars' spacing should be no more than 6.5cm (2 inches) that will keep children's heads from becoming trapped, and the surface should be smooth to prevent suffocation risks. You'll need to buy a cot mattress that fits perfectly without gaps around the edges. It must also be made from air-tight materials to keep your baby's body temperature in check.
It's tempting, but take a close look at your budget and lifestyle before buying a cot that has extra features like built-in storage and side panels for the bassinet that can be removed (as the Mamas and Papas Lua Cot). The best 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 without costing a lot.
If you are looking for a modern alternative for your baby, the SNOO cot with Smart Sleeper includes a built-in sensor that responds your baby's crying. It gently rocks into an identical way to their mother's womb. The cost is a bit steep, but it could be worth the investment for babies who are prone to fussiness.