Ten Best Cots For Newborns That Will Change Your Life
Best Cots For Newborns
A cot is an elevated bed for your child that stops them from falling out. They come in a range of styles, from bedside recommended cribs (bassinet-style cribs that attach to your side of the bed for secure co-sleeping) to travel cribs.
Mum tester Jasmin liked the cot's convenient storage compartment that can be used to store blankets and sheets. It's also simple to set-up and comes with an incline to alleviate reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds can be the perfect companion for parents. They can keep baby warm, and (hopefully) asleep soundly. But when shopping for one, there's a lot to consider, from spec and safety to design and style. A good crib should last from the time of birth to toddlerhood. So durability is important. The cot is sleek and durable, and it meets all the most recent guidelines. It's also affordable and comes with a mattress included.
Gemma is the mother of Boden aged 13 months has tested the product.
Mamas&Papas has a knack for designing practical yet stylish nursery furniture, and this crib is not an exception. It's a contemporary choice for a baby's first room, with a modern grey finish that'll fit in with any color scheme. It can also be converted into an adorable toddler bed or day bed to last for a long time. It comes with two heights for the base making it easier to reach baby and safer than a traditional drop-side cot. Its unique shape allows it to fit through doors of all sizes and is a huge bonus for parents who are time-strapped. There's a matching changer/dresser to keep all the essentials for your baby at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
The cot will expand with your baby from birth to around four years of age. It comes with two mattress heights, which means you can begin with a high base and move down as your baby grows and learns to sit on their own. It was given Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for the best Moses basket, cot or crib.
The cot is more compact than the other models we've tested. It's also ideal for smaller rooms. It also has a handy side door that lets you access it easily to feed, nappies and changing. Our tester took just 12 minutes to set up the cot.
Make sure that the cot bed you choose conform to safety regulations. All cots must have bars that are not more than 6.5cm apart to ensure that your baby's limbs don't get caught. Make sure the slats on your cot are securely fastened to avoid any loose or rusty fittings.
It is important that your baby sleeps on a comfortable cot mattress. Choose mattresses with latex-coated coir or pocket springs, which offer the best cot bed support and do not slide. It's worthwhile to invest in a waterproof cover as well, as any soiling will be absorbed directly into the mattress and make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.
Some cots also come with additional features that include gentle rocking motions to aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines to help ease reflux, and storage for the nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a wonderful alternative, but be sure to only buy additional items that fit safely and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
This crib is ideal if you want to use it from birth and keep it near your bed as baby sleeps. It has a compact design that fits easily through door frames that are standard and weighs just 6kg so it's easy to move around your home. It's also easy to get up and down, making it the perfect choice for nappy changing.
One of our mum test participants described it as "exceedingly simple to put together." Its lightweight build allows you to 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 require to access their newborn quickly in the beginning stages of parenting. It also comes with a reflux wedge cover and a mattress with a fitted cover that are both beneficial features.
It can also be converted into a toddler bed with the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is great news for parents because it it will last until your child is ready to step away from the cot. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired styles 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 elegant panelled design. It's easy to put together and comes with teething rail, a storage drawer and adjustable height settings. Its small size means it's an ideal option for anyone with a smaller space or with a sloped ceiling. Its robust construction means it will last for many years and will not break like some cribs.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib that is placed at the bedside is ideal for parents who want to cuddle their infant close before the time to go to bed. The NHS suggests that babies be kept in a separate bedroom for the first 6 months however, many parents find that having their child close to them prior to bedtime relaxing.
This cot is available in a variety of colors and non-toxic paints, so it can be customized to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a good option for parents with ceilings that slope who do not want a cot that takes up a lot of 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 well-constructed design that will last into the toddler years. One tester for parents told us that her baby was in the crib for two months and that it was in good enough condition to pass on to her youngest.
Another benefit is that this cot beds for sale is small and compact, which makes it easy to set up and move around as required. It's an ideal choice for parents who have smaller spaces and can be used as a travel cot too. Testers found it easy to assemble and loved the storage drawer that can be used to store all your little one's necessities. It is a bit expensive however it's a worthwhile cost due to the design and functionality. The cot doesn't include an mattress, so you'll have to purchase one separately. We suggest settling for a comfortable, airy mattress that is fitted to keep your baby from getting drowned. It should be a couple of inches shorter than the frame of the cot to stop your child from being able to climb out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino is one of the more stylish cots on our list however, it's not all about appearances. The cot is designed to last your newborn for the first 18 months. It can also be transformed into a toddler's bed by incorporating an additional toddler kit. The design is timeless and stylish, and our tester found it is suitable for any nursery, especially when you choose a matching changing unit and wardrobe.
No matter what type of cot you choose, be sure that it complies with the rules that apply to your baby's age as well as your home. The bars' spacing should not exceed 6.5cm (two inches), as this will keep infants from getting their heads trapped. Additionally the surface should not be rough to avoid the risk of suffocation. You'll also need to buy the right cot mattress that is ideally sized with no gaps at the edges and be made from breathable materials that keep your baby's temperature regulated.
Although it's tempting to purchase a cot with additional features such as drawers for storage built-in and side panels that can be removed from the bassinet (as with the Mamas & Papas Lua Cot) These should be carefully considered in the light of your budget and your lifestyle. The best infant cribs cots are designed for your baby to sleep comfortably and safely, and you can often find cribs that offer plenty of storage space, without costing you a fortune.
If you're looking for a high-tech option then the SNOO Smart Sleeper crib comes with a built-in sensor that responds to the baby's cry and gently rocks them to sleep in a manner that mimics their mother's womb. The price may be a bit high however for parents with children who are fussy, it could be worth the investment.