Buying guide
How to choose a cot for your baby
Moses basket, co-sleeper or standard cot? The safe sleep rules we start from, what to check on the mattress and four options for different spaces and budgets.
In short
- The safe sleep rules matter more than the model – on the back, on a firm, flat mattress, with nothing soft in the cot.
- A standard 120×60 cm cot, to EN 716, with a good mattress, is enough for almost any family.
- A co-sleeper is convenient in the first months, but has a short life – roughly until your baby starts to push up.
- The mattress is bought to the exact size of the cot, with no gaps at the edges.
In the first months, a baby sleeps for most of the day. The place where they sleep doesn’t have to be pretty or expensive – it has to be safe. The good news is that safety in sleep comes down to a few simple rules, and the cots that follow them aren’t necessarily the most expensive.
Where we start: the safe sleep rules
We rely on the safe sleep recommendations published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, updated in 2022), which are also the ones paediatricians cite most often. In short:
These rules rule out from the start a good part of the accessories sold alongside cots: thick bumpers, canopies, positioning pillows. You don’t need them, and some are even contraindicated. For any question about your child’s sleep, talk to your paediatrician.
Types of cot
| Type | Used for roughly | European standard | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moses basket / cradle | 0–5 months | EN 1130 | Small, easy to move; you stop using it when your baby rolls over or pushes up on their hands |
| Co-sleeper (bedside cot) | 0–6 months | EN 1130 | Attaches to the parents’ bed, with one side lowered |
| Standard cot 120×60 | 0–3 years | EN 716 | The standard option; mattresses and sheets are easy to find |
| Cot 140×70, convertible | 0–6 years or more | EN 716 | Becomes a junior bed; needs more room |
| Folding cot | occasional | EN 716 | For grandparents and holidays; the mattress is thin by design |
If the bedroom is short on space, see the options in cots for a small room, and for holidays and nights at the grandparents’, how to choose a travel cot.
What to check on a cot
- The declaration of conformity to EN 716 (or EN 1130 for baskets and co-sleepers). It should appear in the description or the instructions.
- The distance between the bars. The standard limits it so that your child’s head can’t pass between them. Don’t buy old or handmade cots where you can’t check this.
- A base adjustable in height. High in the first months, so you don’t have to bend over; low as soon as your baby sits up.
- Finishes. Water-based lacquer and paint, without a strong smell. Leave the cot assembled and aired for a few weeks before the birth.
- Stability. After assembly, shake it. It shouldn’t wobble.
- Wheels with brakes, if it has wheels.
Second-hand
A used cot is fine if it is complete, stable, has all its original screws and meets the current standard. Steer clear of models with an old sliding side that wobbles or doesn’t lock firmly. The mattress, on the other hand, buy new: a used one can be misshapen and hard to clean.
The mattress: half the decision
The mattress matters at least as much as the cot.
- Firm. If you press with your palm and a dent remains, it is too soft for a baby.
- The right size. Between the mattress and the edges of the cot there shouldn’t be a gap that fits more than two fingers.
- Thin, but not too thin. Around 10–12 cm for a standard cot; respect the maximum thickness stated by the cot’s manufacturer, otherwise the bars become too low.
- Removable, washable cover, plus a breathable waterproof protector.
For co-sleepers and baskets, use only the mattress supplied by the manufacturer. Don’t add another on top.
Four options, for different situations
We haven’t tested these products; we chose them by type, declared standard and the manufacturers’ specifications.
Woodies Safe Dreams 120×60
Budget-friendlyWho it suits: anyone who wants a classic wooden cot, simple and solid, that will last until about 3 years.
The classic 120×60 cot is the boring and correct answer for most parents. The money saved here is better spent on a good mattress.
Pros
- Standard 120×60 size, with mattresses and sheets easy to find
- Base adjustable to several heights
- One side can be removed as your child grows
- Simple construction, with few parts that can break
Cons
- The mattress is bought separately
- No wheels, and not easy to move from one room to another
- Doesn’t attach to the parents’ bed
Chicco Next2Me Magic
Mid-rangeWho it suits: mums who breastfeed at night or are recovering after a caesarean and want their baby within arm’s reach, but on their own surface.
A co-sleeper makes the nights of the first months easier, but it is a short-term purchase. It makes sense if the bedroom is small or if you know you’ll find it hard to get out of bed after the birth.
Pros
- Attaches to the parents’ bed with straps, with the side lowered
- Height adjustable to several levels, for different beds
- The side lowers with one hand, according to the manufacturer
- Has wheels and moves easily between the bedroom and the living room
Cons
- Used for only a few months, until your baby starts to push up
- Doesn’t fit every bed: check your mattress height and the type of frame
- You still need a standard cot after it
Joie Kubbie Sleep
Budget-friendlyWho it suits: families who need a cot that disappears when not in use: at the grandparents’, on holiday or in a studio flat.
A folding cot isn’t the first choice for sleeping every night for three years, but it is an honest solution for very small spaces and indispensable if you often go to the grandparents’.
Pros
- Folds into a carry bag
- Upper level for small babies, so you don’t have to bend all the way down
- One side can be lowered to sit next to the parents’ bed, according to the manufacturer
- Can then be used as a travel cot
Cons
- Thin mattress, by design – don’t add another on top
- Mesh walls don’t look like a “home” cot
- Harder to put up and fold than it looks in the adverts, until you get used to it
Stokke Sleepi
PremiumWho it suits: parents who want a single piece of furniture, from birth to school age, and have the budget for it.
Sleepi is a choice of design and longevity, not of extra safety. If you like it and will use it for many years, the cost spreads out differently. If not, a standard cot does the same job.
Pros
- Grows with your child: from the small version to a junior bed, with extensions
- Oval shape, without corners, with lockable wheels
- Base adjustable in height
- Solid wood and careful finishes
Cons
- Costs a lot, and the extensions are bought separately
- The oval shape needs dedicated mattresses and sheets
- Your child doesn’t sleep any safer in it than in a standard cot to EN 716
Our recommendation
If you want a single answer: a standard 120×60 cm cot, to EN 716, with an adjustable base and a firm mattress of the right size, placed in your bedroom for the first months. It is the option with the fewest compromises and the longest use for the money.
Add a co-sleeper only if you feel you need your baby right next to your bed in the first months – it is a comfort for the parent, not a necessity. And if space is the problem, we have gathered options in cots for small rooms.
Once you’ve chosen the place to sleep, the next question is usually whether you need a baby monitor.
Frequently asked questions
What cot size is recommended for a baby?
The classic and most practical size is 120×60 cm (to the European standard EN 716). It is easy to find quality mattresses and fitted sheets, and your baby can use it until around the age of 3. If space allows, the 140×70 cm version can later be converted into a junior bed.
Do I need a co-sleeper, or can we use a 120×60 cm cot straight away?
You can use a standard 120×60 cm cot from the very first day at home. A co-sleeper (attached to the side of the double bed) is convenient if the mother breastfeeds often at night or the room is narrow, but it has a short period of use (up to 5–6 months or until your baby starts to push up).
Which accessories are dangerous in a baby’s cot?
International safe sleep guidelines (AAP) rule out pillows, thick blankets, soft toys, fabric nests (baby nests) and bumpers for the bars. All of these increase the risk of suffocation and rebreathing of carbon dioxide. The cot should be completely empty and your baby dressed in a sleeping bag in their size.
How do I choose the right mattress for a cot?
The mattress should be firm (it shouldn’t leave a dent when you press firmly with your palm), bought new (not second-hand) and exactly the size of the frame. There should be no gap of more than two fingers (under 3 cm) between the edge of the mattress and the bars.
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