best cots for newborns - www.cots4tots.Co.uk,

A crib is a bed that you can place your baby that has high sides to prevent them from falling out. There are numerous styles available including bedside cribs to travel cots.

Mum tester Jasmin liked the cot's convenient storage compartment that can be used to store blankets and sheets. It's also easy to set-up and comes with an inclined design to ease reflux.

1. MamasPapas Franklin Cot Bed

Cot beds can be the perfect companion for parents. They keep baby snug and (hopefully) asleep peacefully. But when shopping for one there's a lot to think about, from specifications and safety to design and. And a good cot needs to last through the newborn stage and even toddlerhood, so long-term durability is key. This cot is stylish, robust and meets all the latest standards. It is also reasonably priced, and comes with a mattress.

Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months

MamasPapas has a knack for creating practical and stylish nursery furniture, and this crib is no exception. It's a modern choice for baby's first bedroom, with modern grey finishes that match any colour scheme. It can also be converted 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. The shaped base allows it to pass through the majority of doors, which is a great advantage for parents who are time-strapped. There's even a matching dresser/changer that will keep all your newborn essentials close by.

2. SnuzFino Cot Bed

This cot is designed to follow your baby from newborn up to around four years old. It comes with two mattress heights so you can begin with a high-height base and then lower as your child develops and learns to sit on their own. It was awarded Gold in the MotherBaby awards 2024 for best crib, cot or Moses basket, and is a top pick for parents.

The cot is more compact than other models we've tested. It's also great for smaller spaces. It also has a handy side door that allows you to reach in easily to feed, change nappies or change nappy. Our tester took just 12 minutes to set up the cot.

Make sure that the cot bed you choose comply with safety standards. To prevent your baby's legs from becoming trapped in the cot, it is recommended that all cots have bars that are not more than 6cm apart. Make sure the slats on your cot are securely secured to avoid any loose or rusty fittings.

A quality mattress for your cot is essential for the comfort of your baby. Find pocket springs or latex coated coir mattresses, as these offer the best support and don't sag like foams. It is important to invest in a waterproof cover, too, as any soiling will be absorbed directly into the mattress and could make your baby sweaty or uncomfortable.

Some cots also come with extra bonuses that include gentle rocking motions that aid in settling your baby (like the SNOO Smarter Cot) and adjustable inclines to ease reflux and storage for nappy essentials (like the MamasPapas Lua Bedside Cot). These can be a wonderful option, but make sure to only purchase additional items that are safe and are suitable for your baby's.

3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib

If you're looking for an infant crib that can be used from birth and put close to your bed when the baby sleeps, this might be what you're looking for. Its compact design can fit through doors with standard frames, and weighs just 6 kg. This makes it simple to move around your home. It's also easy to climb up and down, making it the perfect choice for nappy changing.

One of our mom testers described it as being "exceedingly easy to put together." Its light-weight construction allows you to easily move it between bedrooms or even take it on holiday should you want to. Its standalone design is popular with new parents who want to have access to their infant easily during the first few months of parenting. It comes with a comfortable mattress and a reflux wedge cover that are both beneficial features.

The included Toddler Kit will also allow it to be transformed into a toddler bed which is a great option for parents as it will last for as long as your child will need it. It's a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired styles that will look gorgeous in your nursery. It's also a good value if you consider how long it will be used for.

Another option is this simple solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to three years and costs just PS372. Our testers were impressed by its elegant panelled appearance. It's simple to assemble and includes a teething rail, storage drawer, and adjustable height settings. Its compact dimensions make it a great option for people with sloped ceilings or smaller areas. Its robust build will also ensure it stands the years and won't be at risk of falling apart as some cot beds are.

4. Babyletto Bedside Crib

This crib in the bed allows parents to cuddle their baby close to them just before the time to go to bed. The NHS advises that newborns should be placed in a separate room for the first six months, but many parents find it soothing to be able to hold their child before going to bed.

This cot is available in a variety of colors and non-toxic paints and can be customized to your bedroom or nursery decor. It's also a good choice for parents with sloped ceilings who do not want a cot that takes up too much floor space. It can be adjusted in eleven different heights, and tilted to four different positions. This includes an incline to help with reflux.

It's also a sturdy design that will last into the toddler years. One tester's parent said that her child had spent the night in the cot with 2 babies and was still in good condition to pass it on to her next.

Another plus is that this cot is small and compact, making it easy to set up and move around when needed. It is a good choice for parents who have limited space and can also function as portable cot. It was simple to put together and the testers loved the storage drawer that could hold everything essential for your baby. It's not cheap, but worth the investment for its design and function. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for this crib. We recommend a comfortable, breathable, and snugly fitting mattress to stop your child from suffocating. It should be a couple of inches smaller than the frame of the cot to prevent your child from being able to climb out.

5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot

The SnuzFino is among the more stylish cots on our list, but it's not all about appearances. With two height settings for the mattress this cot will carry 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 testers found it would look great in any nursery, especially in the event that you decide to purchase a matching changing table and wardrobe.

Regardless of what type of cot you select, make sure it meets the relevant regulations for your baby's age and your home. The spacing between bars shouldn't be more than 6.5cm (two inches) in order to keep infants from getting their heads trapped. Also, the surface should not be rough in order to avoid suffocation. You'll also need to buy an appropriate cot mattress that is ideally sized with no gaps at the edges. It should also be constructed from breathable materials that keep your baby's temperature regulated.

Although it's tempting to purchase a cot with extra features like built-in storage drawers and sides that can be removed for 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 are simply made to allow your baby to rest comfortably and safely and often find all-in-one cot beds that have plenty of storage space without costing a lot.

If you're looking for a high tech option for your baby, the SNOO crib with Smart Sleeper has a built in sensor that can respond to your baby's cry. It gently lulls the baby to sleep in a motion similar to the womb of their mother. The cost is a bit expensive, but it could be worth the investment for fussy sleepers.