Best Cots For Newborns

A crib is an elevated bed for your child that stops them from falling out. They are available in a variety of styles from bedside cribs (bassinet-style cots that attach to the side of your bed to allow secure co-sleeping) to travel cots.

Mum tester Jasmin liked the cot's convenient storage compartment for blankets and sheets. 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 are often the best friend of parents. They are a great way to keep your baby cozy and (hopefully), sleeping soundly. When shopping for a crib, there are a lot of things to consider. From safety and specifications to design and style. A good crib should last from the time of birth to toddlerhood. So durability is important. This cot is stylish and sturdy and is in compliance with all the most recent standards. It's also affordable and includes a mattress.

Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden 13 months old

Mamas&Papas is a master at designing stylish and practical nursery furniture and this cot is no exception. It's a contemporary choice for baby's first bedroom, with an elegant grey finish that will fit in with any color scheme. What's more, it converts into a stylish toddler bed or 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 standard drop side cot. And it's built with a shaped base so it fits through many standard doors, which is an absolute benefit for busy parents. There's even a matching dresser/changer to keep all your newborn essentials in one place.

2. SnuzFino Cot Bed

This cot can grow with your baby, from birth to about four years old. It comes with two mattress heights so you can begin with a high base and move down as your little one grows and learns to sit up on their own without assistance. 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 cot is more compact than other models that we've tested. It's also ideal for smaller spaces. It also has a handy side door that lets you access it easily for feeding, nappies or changing. Parents loved how easy it was to put together and our tester took just 12 minutes to get it set up.

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. Also, check that the slats are securely fixed to prevent any loose or rusty fastenings.

It is important that your baby sleeps on a comfortable cot mattress. Choose mattresses that are coated with latex or pocket springs that provide the most support and do not slide. Also, you should purchase an waterproof mattress cover as any dirt will get into the mattress and cause your child to sweat or feel uncomfortable.

Some cots have additional bonuses such as adjustable inclines to ease reflux, as well as storage for nappy necessities (such as the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a wonderful alternative, but be sure to only purchase additional items that fit safely and are suitable for your baby.

3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib

This crib is perfect for those who intend to use it right from the beginning and place it near your bed as baby sleeps. It's a compact design that can easily fit through door frames that are standard and weighs only 6kg, so it's easy to move around your home. It is also easy to get up and go down, making it the perfect choice for nappy changing.

It's lightweight and portable, so you can easily move it between rooms or even during a trip. Its distinct design is popular with new parents who want to be able to easily access their infant in the early stages. It comes with a padded mattress and a reflux wedge cover that are both useful features.

It can also be converted to an infant bed using the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is great news for parents as it it will last until your child is ready to transition from cot life. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired looks that will look lovely in your nursery and it's also good value for cot beds money if you consider how long it will be used for.

Another alternative is this simple solid pine cot, which is suitable from birth to 3 years and costs just PS372. Our test subjects loved its sleek paneled design. It's easy to put together, and has an excellent storage drawer, teething rail and height settings that are adjustable. They help keep your baby safe. Its small dimensions make it a great choice for those with low ceilings or small areas. Its sturdy stature also means it will stand the years and won't be susceptible to breaking as some cot beds are.

4. Babyletto Bedside Crib

This crib that is placed at the bedside is ideal for parents who wish to snuggle their baby up close to them before bedtime. The NHS advises that newborns should 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 going to bed.

The cheap cot bed comes in a range of colors and non-toxic paints which means it can be matched to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's a great option for parents with low ceilings and do not want to take up too much space on the floor. It can be adjusted to 11 different heights and can be tilted to four positions, including an incline which aids in reflux.

As well as looking attractive It's also a sturdy design that should last through the toddler years as well. One tester for parents said that her baby used the cot for two babies and it was still in good enough condition to be passed on to her next.

Another benefit is that this cot is small cot beds and compact, so it's easy to put together and move around if required. It's an ideal fit for parents with smaller rooms and can be used as a travel cot, too. It was simple to put together and testers were impressed by the storage drawer that could hold all of your baby's essentials. It is a bit expensive, but it's worth the investment because of the design and the functionality. This cot doesn't come with a mattress, which means you'll need to buy one separately. We recommend opting for a comfortable, airy mattress that is snug to prevent your baby from getting trapped. It should be a few inches smaller 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 just about appearances. With two mattress height settings, this cot will see your newborn through their first 18 months. It can be converted into a toddler bed by adding an (available separately) toddler kit. The design is timeless and chic, and our tester found it would look great in any nursery, particularly if you opt for a matching changing unit and wardrobe.

Whatever cot is chosen, make sure it is in line with the regulations applicable to your baby's age and home. The bars' spacing must not exceed 6.5cm (2 inches) that will keep the baby's head from getting stuck, and the surface should be smooth to avoid dangers of suffocation. You'll need to purchase a mattress for your cot that is perfect and has no gaps around the edges. It should also be made of fabrics that are breathable to regulate your baby's body temperature.

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 and Papas Lua Cot) These should be considered in light of your budget and your lifestyle. The best cots uk cots are simply designed for your baby to sleep safely and comfortably and often find all-in-one cot beds with plenty of storage without costing a lot.

If you are looking for a high tech option then the SNOO cot with Smart Sleeper has a built in sensor that responds your baby's crying. It gently rocks the baby to sleep in an identical way to the womb of their mother. The cost may be a bit expensive however, for those with children who are fussy, it could be worth the investment.