Best Cots For Newborns
A crib is a bed for your child with high sides to stop them from falling out. There are numerous styles available including bedside cribs to travel cots.
The mom tester Jasmin loved the cot's storage space 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 the best friend of parents. They keep baby snug, and (hopefully), sleeping soundly. When you are looking for a crib, there are a lot of aspects to consider. From safety and spec to design and style. A good cot should last from birth to toddlerhood. So durability is important. This cot is sleek and durable, and it meets all of the latest guidelines. It's also priced reasonably and comes with a mattress included.
Gemma, mother of Boden aged 13 months, tested the product.
Mamas&Papas is a master at designing stylish and practical nursery furniture and this crib is not an exception. It's a modern option for a baby's first room, with an elegant grey finish that will fit in with any color scheme. It can also be transformed into a cool daybed or toddler bed for longer-term use. It also has two different heights for the base, making it safer and easier to reach your baby than a traditional drop-side cot. And it's designed with a shaped base, so it fits through most standard doorways, which is a huge benefit for stressed parents. It comes with a dresser and changer to keep everything you need for your baby to hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This cot is designed to follow your baby from the time of birth to around four years old. It has two mattress heights, so you can start with a high base and move down as your baby grows and learns to sit up unaided. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for the most beautiful Moses basket, cot or crib.
The slats of this cot are more spaced together than some of the other models we tested and makes it more compact and suitable for smaller bedrooms. It has a convenient side door that lets you get in easily to feed and change nappies or change a diapers. Parents loved the ease with which this cot was to put together Our tester took just 12 minutes to have it set up and ready for use.
When you are choosing a cot bed, look for ones that conform to safety regulations. All cots should have bars that are not more than 6.5cm apart to ensure your baby's limbs cannot become trapped. Also, ensure that the slats have been securely fixed to prevent any loose or rusty fastenings.
A high-quality mattress for a cot is also essential for the comfort of your baby. Choose mattresses with latex-coated coir or pocket springs, which provide the most support and do not slide. Also, you should invest in an waterproof mattress cover since any dirt can get into the mattress and cause your child to sweat or feel uncomfortable.
Some cots come with additional features like gentle rocking movements to help your baby settle (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines that ease reflux, and storage for nappy necessities (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a wonderful option, but make sure to only buy additional items that fit securely and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
This crib is ideal if you want to use it from birth and have it close to your bed while your baby sleeps. Its compact design fits into standard door frames, and weighs only 6kg. This makes it easy to move around your home. It's also a breeze to get up and down, perfect for those nappy changes.
One of our mum test participants described it as "exceedingly simple to put together." Its lightweight build means you can easily move it between bedrooms or even take it on a trip should you want to. Its stand-alone design is popular with new parents who want to be able to easily access their infant during the first few days. It comes with a fitted mattress and a reflux wedge cover that are both useful features.
The included Toddler Kit will also allow it to be transformed into a toddler bed which is a great option for parents since it will last for as long as your child requires it. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired styles that will look gorgeous in your nursery. It's also an excellent value considering the length of time it will be used for.
Baby Cot is this basic solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to 3 years and costs only PS372. Our testers really liked the stylish design of the panel. It's simple to assemble and comes with teething rail, a storage drawers and adjustable height settings. Its compact size makes it a great option for those who have sloped ceilings or smaller areas. Its robust construction means it will last for a long time and not break like other cot-beds.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib in the bed lets parents snuggle their infant close just before bedtime. The NHS suggests that babies be kept in a separate room for the first six months, but many parents find it relaxing to have their child in close proximity before they go to sleep.
This babyletto cot Babyletto is made of non-toxic paint that comes in a broad variety of colors, so you'll be able to make it a part of your nursery or bedroom decor. It's a great choice for parents with sloped ceilings and don't want to occupy too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to eleven different heights, and can be tilted to four different positions. This includes an incline for reflux.
As well as looking attractive, it's a solid design that will last through the toddler years as well. One parent tester stated that her baby been sleeping in the cot for 2 babies and was still in good shape to pass it on to her youngest.
Another plus is that this cot is tiny and compact, so it's easy to put together and move around if required. It's a great choice for parents with limited space and could also serve as portable cot. It was simple to put together and the testers loved the storage drawer that held everything essential for your baby. It's a bit pricey however, it's well worth the cost for its design and function. The cot isn't equipped with a mattress, which means you'll need to purchase one separately. We suggest an airy, firm and a snugly-fitting mattress to keep your child from becoming suffocated. It should be a few inches shorter than the frame of the cot in order to prevent your child from being able get out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino is among the more stylish cots on our list however, it's not all about appearances. This cot is made to last for their first 18 months. It can also be converted into a toddler's bed by adding a separate toddler kit. The design is chic and timeless and our testers found it to be a perfect fit for any nursery. Especially if you choose a matching changing table and wardrobe.
Whatever cot you select, make sure it meets the applicable regulations for your baby's age and your home. The spacing between bars shouldn't exceed 6.5cm (two inches) which will keep babies from getting their heads trapped. Also, the surface should not be rough to prevent being suffocated. You'll also need to buy an appropriate cot mattress which should fit perfectly with no gaps around the edges and made from breathable materials to ensure that your baby's temperature is kept in check.
While it's tempting to buy a cot with extra features like drawers for storage built-in and sides that can be removed for 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 are designed for your baby to sleep comfortably and safely and you can usually find cot beds that have plenty of storage space without costing you a fortune.
If you're looking to find a high-tech alternative, the SNOO Smart Sleeper cot has a built-in sensor which responds to your baby's crying and gently rocks them to sleep in a way that mimics their mother's womb. The cost is a bit high, but it might be worth it for babies who are prone to fussiness.