Best Cots For Newborns

A cot is a bed that is elevated for your child that stops them from falling off. There are a variety of styles from cribs for bed to travel cots.

The mom tester Jasmin was impressed with the cot's storage compartment, 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 new parent's best cot bed friend, ensuring that the baby warm and (hopefully) asleep peacefully. However, when you're looking for one, there's a lot to consider, from spec and safety to design and style. A good cot should last from birth to toddlerhood. So durability is important. This cot is stylish, robust and complies with the most recent regulations. It's also priced reasonably and comes with a mattress included.

Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months

This cot is an excellent illustration of how Mamas&Papas can design stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a modern choice for the Baby Cot's first bedroom with a modern grey finish that'll suit any colour scheme. What's more, it converts into a cool toddler bed or day bed 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. And it's built with a shaped base so it fits through most standard doorways, an absolute benefit for busy parents. There's even a dresser/changer that will keep all your newborn essentials close by.

2. SnuzFino Cot Bed

This crib is designed to be used by your baby from the time of birth to about four years old. It comes with two mattress heights, which means you can start with a high-height base and move down as your child develops and learns to sit on their own. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby awards in 2024 for the best crib, cot or Moses basket, and is a top choice for parents.

The slats of this cot are more spaced apart than other models we have tested This makes it more sleek and suitable for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It also has a handy side door that allows you to reach in easily to feed or change nappies, or change the nappies. Parents loved how easy it was to put together and our tester took only 12 minutes to get it set up and ready for use.

Look for cot beds that conform to safety regulations. All cots should have bars that are no more than 6.5cm apart to ensure your baby's limbs don't get caught. Make sure that the slats of your cot are securely secured to avoid any loose or rusty fittings.

A quality cot mattress is also key for your baby's comfort. Choose mattresses that are coated with latex or pocket springs, which offer the most support and don't sag. It's important to invest in a waterproof cover too because any dirt will go directly into the mattress and make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.

Some cots are also equipped with extra bonuses, such as gentle rocking motions to aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines that ease reflux, and storage for nappy necessities (like 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 want a crib for your bed that can be used from birth and put near your bed while baby sleeps, this might be what you're searching for. Its compact design can fit through doors that have standard frames, and it weighs just 6 kg. This makes it easy to move about your home. It's also simple to get up and down the top, making it ideal for those diaper changes.

One of our mum test subjects described it as "exceedingly easy to put together." Its light-weight construction means you can easily move it between bedrooms or even take it with you on vacation If you'd like. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to access their baby easily in the beginning stages of their child's development. It comes with a comfortable mattress and a wedge cover for reflux and a wedge cover, both of which are useful features.

It also converts to a toddler bed with the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is great news for parents since it means it will last until your child is ready to step away from cot life. It's a stunning cot with Scandi-inspired designs that will look stunning in your nursery. It's also an excellent value if you consider how long it will be used for.

This solid pine cot is also a great option. It is suitable for children from birth to 3 years old and costs just PS372. Our testers loved the stylish design of the panel. It's simple to put together, and has an excellent storage drawer, a rail for teething and height settings that are adjustable. They are helpful for keeping your baby safe. It's small size makes it an ideal option for people with low ceilings or small spaces. Its robust construction means it will last for an extended period of time and not fall apart like some cribs beds.

4. Babyletto Bedside Crib

This crib at the bedside lets parents snuggle their baby close to them just before the time to go to bed. The NHS advises that newborns should be kept in a separate room for the first six months, however many parents find it relaxing to have their child in close proximity before going to bed.

This cot from Babyletto is made from non-toxic paint in a wide variety of colors, meaning you'll be able to blend it into your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a great choice for parents with sloping ceilings who do not want a cot that takes up a lot of floor space. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights, and then can be tilted to four positions with an incline option that helps with reflux.

It's also a sturdy product that will last into the toddler years. One test-taker stated that her child used the crib for two months and it was in good enough condition to pass on to her newest.

Another plus is that this cot is small and compact, making it easy to build and move around if needed. It is a good choice for parents with limited space. It can also be used as a portable cot. It was easy to assemble and testers were impressed by the storage drawer that could hold all of your baby's essentials. It's expensive however, it's well worth the cost for the look and functionality. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for this cot. We suggest a comfortable, breathable, and a snugly-fitting mattress to stop your child from getting suffocated. It should be a few inches shorter than the cot frame to avoid your child being capable of climbing out.

5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot

The SnuzFino cot is one of our most elegant, but it isn't just about looks. This cot is made to last for the first 18 months. It can also be transformed into a bed for toddlers by incorporating a separate toddler kit. The design is timeless and chic, and our tester found it would suit any nursery, especially when you choose an accompanying changing unit and wardrobe.

Whatever cot you choose, make sure it meets the rules that apply to your baby's age as well as your home. The spacing between bars should not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) which will stop babies' heads from getting trapped. The surface must be smooth to reduce suffocation risks. You'll need to buy the crib mattress that fits perfectly and has no gaps around the edges. It should also be made of fabrics that are breathable to keep your baby's body temperature in check.

Although it's tempting to purchase a cot with extra features like drawers for storage built-in and removable bassinet sides (as with the Mamas&Papas Lua Cot) however, these must be carefully considered in the light of your budget and your lifestyle. The most ideal cots allow your child to sleep comfortably and in a safe environment. There are all-in-one cots with plenty of storage that don't cost a fortune.

If you're looking for a cutting-edge option then the SNOO Smart Sleeper crib sets comes with a built-in sensor which responds to the baby's cry and gently rock them to sleep in a manner that mimics their mother's womb. The price is a little steep, but it could be worth it for babies who are prone to fussiness.