Best Cots For Newborns

A cot is a bed for your baby with high sides to prevent them from falling out. They come in a range of styles from bedside cribs (bassinet-style cots that are attached to your side of the bed to allow secure co-sleeping) to travel cots.

The mom tester Jasmin loved the storage compartment in the cot that is perfect for blankets and sheets. It's also simple to set up and has an incline setting to help alleviate reflux.

1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed

Cot beds are a new parent's best crib for newborn friend, ensuring that the baby safe and (hopefully) sleeping peacefully. However, when you're looking for one there's plenty to think about, from specifications and safety to design and style. A good cot should be able to last through the infant stages and toddlerhood, so longevity is essential. This cot is stylish, robust and complies with the most recent regulations. It's also affordable and includes an extra mattress.

Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months

This cot is a fantastic illustration of how Mamas&Papas can create stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a contemporary choice for a baby's first room, with modern grey finishes that match any colour scheme. What's more, it converts into a stylish toddler bed or daybed for long-lasting use. It also has two different heights for the base, making it more secure and easier to reach your baby than a standard drop-side cot. The shaped base allows it to pass through doors of all sizes and is a huge advantage for parents who are strapped for time. The dresser/changer is a perfect match to keep the essentials for your baby close in your arms.

2. SnuzFino Cot Bed

This cot is designed to follow your baby from birth to around four years old. It comes with two mattress heights, so you can begin with a high base and then move down as your child grows and begins to sit on their own. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for the best crib for newborn Moses basket, cot or crib.

This cot is more streamlined than the other models we have tested. It's also ideal for smaller spaces. It also has a handy side door that allows you to access the room easily to feed, change nappies or change diapers. Parents were impressed by how easy this cot was to put together Our tester took just 12 minutes to get it set up and ready for use.

When choosing a cot bed be sure to choose one that conform to safety regulations. To stop your baby's legs from getting trapped, all cots should have bars no more than 6 centimeters apart. Make sure the slats on your cot are securely secured to avoid any loose or rusty fittings.

A quality mattress for a cot is also essential for the comfort of your baby. Choose pocket springs or latex coated Coir mattresses as they offer the best baby cots support and won't slide like foams. It's worth investing in a waterproof cover as well because any dirt will get into the mattress and could cause your baby to sweat or be uncomfortable.

Some cots include additional bonuses such as adjustable inclines that ease reflux, and storage space for diapers (such as the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are wonderful additions, but only purchase items that are suitable and safe for your child.

3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib

If you're looking for a crib for your bed that can be used from birth and place near your bed while the baby sleeps, this might be just what you're looking for. It's a compact design that can easily fit through door frames that are standard and weighs just 6kg so it's easy to move around your home. It is also easy to get up and down, making it the perfect choice for nappy changing.

It's light and portable, meaning it is easy to move between rooms, or even when you go on vacation. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to be able to easily access their infant in the early stages. It also includes an incline wedge cover and a fitted mattress that are both beneficial features.

It can also be converted to a toddler bed with 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 gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired designs that will look lovely in your nursery and it's also a good value when you consider the length of time it will be used for.

Another great alternative is this simple solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to 3 years and costs only PS372. Our testers loved its stylish panelled appearance. It is easy to assemble and comes with teething rail, a storage drawer, and adjustable height settings. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for those who has a smaller space or with sloped ceilings. Its robust build will also ensure it stands the test of time and won't be at risk of falling apart like cot beds do.

4. Babyletto Bedside Crib

This bedside crib is perfect for parents who wish to cuddle their infant close before bedtime. The NHS advises that newborns should be placed in a separate area for the first six months, however many parents find it soothing to have their child close before they go to sleep.

This cot is available in a variety of colors and paints that are non-toxic, so it can be matched to your nursery or bedroom decor. It's a great choice for parents with low ceilings and do not want to take up too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted in eleven different heights, and tilted to four different positions. This includes an incline for reflux.

As well as looking attractive, it's a solid design that is built to last the toddler years as well. One tester for parents stated that her child slept in this crib for two months and it was still in good enough condition to pass on to her newest.

This cot is also small and compact which makes it easy to assemble and move around. It is a good choice for parents with little space. It can also function as an cot that can be moved around. Testers found it easy to assemble and loved the storage drawer for storing all your little one's necessities. It's not cheap however, it's well worth the cost for its style and practicality. You'll need to purchase a mattress for this cot. We suggest a comfortable, Cheap Cots breathable, and snugly fitting mattress to prevent your child from suffocating. It should be a few inches shorter than the frame of the cot in order to prevent your child from being able to climb out.

5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot

The SnuzFino cot is among our most elegant models, but it's not just about looks. It's made to last for the first 18 months of their life. It can also be converted to a toddler's bed by adding an additional toddler kit. The design is chic and timeless and our testers believed it would work in any nursery. Particularly if you select an accompanying changing table and wardrobe.

No matter which cot is chosen, make sure that it complies with the guidelines applicable to your baby's age and home. The spacing between bars should be no more than 6.5cm (2 inches), which will prevent babies' heads from getting trapped. The surface should be smooth to prevent the risk of suffocation. You'll need to buy the mattress for your cot that is perfect and has no gaps around the edges. It must also be made from fabrics that are breathable to regulate your baby's body temperature.

It's tempting, but you should take a close look at your budget and lifestyle before purchasing a cot with extra features like built-in storage, as well as side panels for the bassinet that can be removed (as the Mamas&Papas Lua Cot). The best cots are simply designed to let your baby sleep safely and comfortably and often find all-in-one cot beds with plenty of storage space, without costing you a fortune.

If you are looking for a modern alternative, the SNOO crib with Smart Sleeper has a built in sensor that can respond to your baby's cry. It gently rock into a motion similar to the womb of their mother. The price is a little high, but it might be worth it for fussy sleepers.