Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is a bed that is elevated for your child that prevents them from falling off. There are numerous styles available from cribs for bed to travel cots.
The mum tester Jasmin appreciated the cot's storage space which is ideal for sheets and blankets. It's also easy to set up and comes with an incline option to aid in reducing reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds can be the perfect companion for parents. They keep baby snug and (hopefully), sleeping soundly. When you are looking for a cot, there are many things to take into consideration. From safety and spec to design and style. And a good cot needs to last through the infant stages and even toddlerhood, so long-term durability is essential. The cot is stylish and robust, and it meets all the most recent regulations. It is also reasonably priced 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 chic option for the baby's first bedroom with a contemporary gray finish that is suitable for any color scheme. It can also be converted into a cool toddler bed or a day bed to make it a durable bed. It also comes with two different heights for the base, making it safer and easier to reach your child than a traditional drop-side cot. It's also built with a shaped base that means it can fit through many standard doors, which is an absolute benefit for busy parents. There's even a dresser and change table to keep all your baby's necessities close at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This cot is designed to follow your baby from newborn up to about four years old. best cot beds comes with two mattress heights so you can begin with a high base and then move down as your baby grows and learns to sit up unaided. It won Gold in the Mother&Baby awards 2024 for best crib, cot 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 and makes it more sleek and ideal for smaller bedrooms. It comes with a convenient side door that allows you to reach in easily to feed or change nappies, or change the nappies. Our tester took only 12 minutes to set up the cot.
Look for cot beds that comply with safety standards. To keep your baby's legs from becoming trapped the cot should have bars that are no more than 6 centimeters apart. Also, check that the slats have been securely fixed to prevent any loose or rusty fastenings.
A high-quality mattress for a cot is also essential to ensure your baby's comfort. Choose mattresses with latex-coated coir or pocket springs that provide the most support and don't sag. Also, you should invest in an waterproof mattress cover as any dirt will get into the mattress and cause your child to sweat or feel uncomfortable.
Some cots come with extra features like gentle rocking motions to aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines to ease reflux and storage for nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are a great alternative, but be sure to only purchase additional items that fit securely and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
This crib is ideal if you intend to use it right from birth and keep it in your bedroom while your baby sleeps. It's a small design that can easily fit through doors with standard frames and weighs just 6kg, which means it's easy to move around your home. It's also simple to climb up and down, making it the perfect choice to change nappy.
It's light and portable, meaning you can easily move it between rooms, or even when you go on vacation. Its stand-alone design is popular with new parents who want to be able to easily access their newborn in the beginning stages of their child's development. It also comes with a reflux wedge cover and a mattress that is fitted, which are both useful features.
The Toddler Kit will also allow it to convert into a toddler bed which is great for parents since it will last for as long as your child needs it. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired designs that will look stunning 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 an excellent choice. It is suitable for children ranging from birth to 3 years old, and costs only PS372. Our testers really liked its stylish panelled look. It's easy to put together and comes with a teething rail, storage drawers and adjustable height settings. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for those who has a smaller space or with sloped ceilings. Its solid construction will also ensure it stands the test of time and won't be prone to falling apart as some cot beds are.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib for bed is ideal for parents who want to cuddle their infant close to them prior to bedtime. The NHS suggests that babies be kept in a separate bedroom for the first six months however, many parents find having their child near them before bedtime calming.
This babyletto cot Babyletto is made from non-toxic paints in a vast variety of colors, so you'll be able to make it a part of your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a good choice for parents with sloped ceilings who don't want a cot to take up too much floor space. It can be adjusted in 11 different heights, and tilted to four different positions. This includes an incline for reflux.
It's also a solidly built design that will last into the toddler years. One tester's mother said that her child had spent the night in the cot with two years and was in good condition to pass it on to her next.
Another advantage is that this cot is tiny and compact, which makes it easy to set up and move around if required. It is a good choice for parents who have limited space. It can also function as portable cot. Testers found it easy to assemble and loved the storage drawer that can be used to store everything you need for your baby. It is a bit expensive however it's a worthwhile cost due to the design and the functionality. You'll need an additional mattress for this cot. We recommend choosing a comfortable, breathable, and a snugly-fitting mattress to keep your child from getting suffocated. It should be a couple of inches smaller than the frame of the cot to stop your child from being able climb out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino is one of the more stylish cots on our list however, it's not all about looks. With two mattress heights, this cot will see your newborn through their first 18 months, and be converted into an adult bed by adding an (available separately) toddler kit. The style is stylish 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 type of cot you choose, make sure that it complies with the rules that apply to your baby's age and home. The distance between bars must not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches), which will prevent children's heads from becoming trapped, and the surface should be smooth to prevent dangers of suffocation. You'll need the cot mattress that fits perfectly and has no gaps around the edges. It must also be made from breathable materials in order to regulate your baby's body temperature.
It's tempting, but be aware of your budget and lifestyle before buying a cot that has extra features, such as built-in storage and side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as the Mamas&Papas Lua Cot). The best cots are simply designed to let your baby sleep comfortably and safely and you can usually find cribs that offer plenty of storage space without costing you a fortune.
If you're looking to find a high-tech alternative, the SNOO Smart Sleeper crib has a built-in sensor which responds to the baby's cry and gently rock their body to sleep in a way that replicates their mother's womb. The cost might be a bit steep however, for those with fussy sleepers it might be worth the investment.