15 Things You Don t Know About Best Cots For Newborns
best cot beds Cots For Newborns
A crib is a bed that you can place your baby with high sides to stop them from falling out. There are numerous styles available, from bedside cribs to travel cots.
Mum tester Jasmin liked this cot's handy storage compartment that can be used to store blankets and sheets. It's also simple to set up and includes an incline setting that can help alleviate reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are a new parent's best friend, keeping baby safe and (hopefully) sleeping soundly. However, when you're looking for one there's plenty to consider, from spec and safety to design and style. A good cot has to last through the infant stages and into toddlerhood, so durability is key. This crib is stylish, durable and complies with the most recent standards. It's also affordable cots and includes a mattress.
Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months
This cot is an excellent illustration of how Mamas&Papas can create stylish and practical nursery furniture. It's a stylish option for your baby's first room with a contemporary gray finish that is suitable for any style. It can also be transformed into a cool day bed or toddler bed for long-term use. It also comes with two different heights for the base, making it more secure and easier to reach your baby than a traditional drop-side cot. It's also built 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 the essentials for your baby close at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This cot is designed to follow your baby from birth to about four years old. It comes with two mattress heights, so you can begin with a higher base and move down as your baby grows and begins to sit up on their own without assistance. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby awards in 2024 for the best cot for sale, crib or Moses basket and is a top pick for parents.
The cot is more compact than other models that we have tested. It's also great for smaller rooms. It also features a handy side door, allowing you to reach in easily for feeding, nappies and changing. Parents were amazed at how easy this cot was to put together and our tester took only 12 minutes to get it set up.
When choosing a cot bed be sure to choose one that conform to safety regulations. All cots must have bars that are no more than 6.5cm apart to ensure your baby's limbs aren't trapped. Also, ensure that the slats are securely fixed to prevent any loose or rusty fastenings.
It is crucial that your baby sleeps on a mattress that is comfortable for their cot. Find pocket springs or latex coated Coir mattresses as they provide the most support and won't slide like foams. It's worthwhile to invest in a waterproof cover too, as any soiling will be absorbed directly into the mattress and cause your baby to sweat or be uncomfortable.
Some cots come with extra features that include gentle rocking motions that aid in settling your Baby Cot (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines that ease reflux, and storage for the nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are fantastic accessories, but only buy items that are safe and suitable for your child.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
This crib is ideal for families who would like to use it from the beginning and place it in your bedroom while your baby sleeps. It's a compact design that can easily fit through door frames that are standard and weighs just 6kg, which means it's easy to move around your home. It's also easy to get up and down, which makes it ideal to change nappy.
One of our mom test participants described it as "exceedingly easy to put together." Its light-weight construction lets you easily move it between bedrooms or even take it on holiday should you want to. Its design on its own is popular with new parents who require to be able to reach their baby easily during the first few months of parenting. It comes with a comfortable mattress and a cover for the reflux wedge that are both useful features.
It can also be converted into an infant bed using the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is a great benefit for parents since it it will last until your child is ready to transition from the cot. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired looks that will look lovely in your nursery and it's also a good value if you consider how long it will be used for.
This solid pine cot is a great option. It is suitable for babies to 3 years old and costs just PS372. Our testers really liked its elegant panelled design. It's simple to put together, and has an easy-to-use storage drawer, a rail for teething and height settings that are adjustable. They help keep your baby secure. Its small size means it's an ideal option for anyone who has a smaller space or with sloped ceilings. Its robust build also means it can stand the test of time and will not be at risk of falling apart like some cot beds can.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This bedside crib is perfect for parents who want to wrap their child close before the time to go to bed. The NHS recommends that babies be kept in a separate bedroom for the first six month however, many parents find that having their child close to them prior to bedtime relaxing.
This crib from Babyletto is made with non-toxic paint in a wide variety of colors, so you can match it to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a great choice for parents with sloped 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 and includes an incline that aids in reflux.
It's also a well-constructed design that will last well into the toddler years. One tester's parent said that her baby slept in the cot for 2 babies and was still in good condition to pass it on to her youngest.
Another benefit is that this cot is tiny and compact, so it's easy to build and move around if needed. It's a good fit for parents with smaller spaces and can also be used as a travel cot too. Testers said it was easy to assemble and loved the storage drawer for storing everything you need for your baby. It's not cheap, but it's worth the cost due to the design and the functionality. The cot doesn't include a mattress, which means you'll need to purchase one separately. We suggest settling for an airy, firm mattress that fits snugly to keep your child from being trapped. It should be a few inches smaller than the cot frame to avoid your child being capable of climbing out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino crib is among our most elegant models, but it's not only about appearances. With two height settings for the mattress this cot will carry your newborn through their first 18 months and can be converted into an adult bed by adding an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is elegant and timeless, and our tester found it to be a perfect fit for any nursery. Particularly if you select a matching changing table and wardrobe.
Whatever cot you pick, ensure that it complies with appropriate standards for your baby's age group and your home. The spacing between bars must not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) which will stop babies' heads from getting stuck, and the surface should be smooth to avoid 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 air-tight materials to keep your baby's body temperature in check.
It's tempting, but you should carefully consider your budget and lifestyle before buying a cot with extra features such as built-in storage or side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as the Mamas and Papas Lua Cot). The best cots are simply designed to let your baby sleep comfortably and safely, and you can often find cot beds that have plenty of storage space, without costing a fortune.
If you're looking to find a high-tech option, the SNOO Smart Sleeper cot has an inbuilt sensor that responds to the baby's cry and gently rocks their body to sleep in a manner that mimics their mother's womb. The cost might be a bit expensive however, for those with fussy sleepers it might be worth the cost.