Recommendations by situation
Cot for a small room
In a studio flat or a bedroom where the bed barely fits, every centimetre counts. How to measure, which type of cot to choose, and four options.
In short
- Measure the space first – a 120×60 cot takes up about 125×66 cm once you count the frame.
- In the first months, a bedside co-sleeper pushed up against your bed takes up the least room.
- Less space does not mean fewer rules – firm, flat surface, empty cot, away from radiators and cords.
Paediatricians recommend that your baby sleeps in your room for the first months. That sounds simple until you look at your bedroom: a bed, a wardrobe, a bedside table and not much else. The good news is that a baby needs very little space – as long as you pick the right type of cot for each stage.
Measure before you choose
Take a tape measure and note down three things:
- The free space next to your bed, in width and length. Keep in mind that the size in the cot’s name (120×60) is the mattress; the frame adds a few centimetres on every side.
- The height of your mattress from the floor, if you are thinking of a co-sleeper. They need to sit at the same level.
- What is around: radiator, window, curtains with cords, sockets, shelves. The cot does not go right against a radiator, under shelves with objects on them, or within reach of cords.
The two-stage strategy
For small rooms, two solutions one after the other often work better than a single one:
- 0–6 months: a co-sleeper or a moses basket, which takes up about half the surface of a standard cot.
- After 6 months: a 120×60 cm cot, perhaps already moved to another room or to a rearranged corner.
Until six months you still have time to move a wardrobe. The 140×70 cm version, although it “lasts longer”, is rarely a good idea in a small space.
We have not tested the products below; we chose them by size, type and manufacturer specifications.
Four options for small spaces
Kinderkraft Neste Up 2
Budget-friendlyWho it suits: parents who want a co-sleeper for the first months without investing much in something used for a short time.
A budget co-sleeper makes sense precisely because it is a temporary solution. Just check that the height range covers your bed.
Pros
- Attaches to the parents’ bed, with one side lowered
- Height adjustable in several steps
- Folds and can be taken to the grandparents’
- Takes up much less than a standard cot
Cons
- Short use, only until the baby starts sitting up
- Simpler finish than the more expensive models
- Does not suit very low beds or beds with a wide frame
Chicco Next2Me Magic
Mid-rangeWho it suits: those who want a co-sleeper that is easy to use at night, with one hand, and easy to move around the house.
If your bed has a storage drawer or a frame that goes all the way to the floor, check beforehand whether the co-sleeper’s legs have somewhere to go. It is the detail that ruins most plans.
Pros
- The side lowers with one hand, according to the manufacturer
- Many height steps, suitable for high beds too
- Wheels for moving it from one room to another
- Legs that slide under the bed, so it sits flush against the mattress
Cons
- Costs noticeably more than a simple co-sleeper
- The same short period of use
- Beds with storage drawers may stop the legs from fitting underneath
Woodies Safe Dreams 120×60
Budget-friendlyWho it suits: those who want a single purchase, from birth until about 3 years old, and have at least 130×70 cm free.
If it fits, the 120×60 cot remains the most economical long-term solution. In a small room, choose a simple model with bars on all sides: it lets the light through and looks less bulky.
Pros
- The smallest standard size of “proper” cot
- Base with adjustable height
- Mattresses and bedding are easy to find
- The space under the cot can take storage boxes
Cons
- Takes up twice as much as a co-sleeper
- Cannot be moved or folded away
- The mattress is bought separately
Joie Kubbie Sleep
Budget-friendlyWho it suits: studio flats and homes where the cot has to disappear during the day or travel often.
Its advantage is not a small footprint but the fact that it can be absent from the room when not in use. If you know you will not fold it away daily, a wooden cot is a better fit.
Pros
- Folds into a bag and fits in a wardrobe
- Upper level for small babies
- Can sit next to the parents’ bed, with one side lowered, according to the manufacturer
- Can be used later as a holiday cot
Cons
- Once set up, it takes up about as much as a standard cot
- Thin mattress, to which you must not add another
- Folding and unfolding it every day gets tiring
Our recommendation
For a small bedroom, start with a co-sleeper against your bed for the first months – the Kinderkraft Neste Up 2 if you want to spend little, the Chicco Next2Me Magic if you want more ease of use. In the meantime, make room for a standard 120×60 cot, which will be your child’s bed for the next few years.
If you do not want two purchases and you have the centimetres, go straight for the 120×60 and place it with its long side against your bed. And if your baby will later sleep in another room, you may be interested in a monitor without Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does a 120×60 cm cot really take up?
The 120×60 cm size is only the mattress. The wooden frame adds 4 to 8 cm to the length and width (so roughly 125×66 cm). You should also leave an access space of at least 40–50 cm so you can change the bedding easily.
Is a co-sleeper the most efficient choice for a narrow bedroom?
Yes, for the first 5–6 months. A co-sleeper takes up only about 90×55 cm and attaches directly to the side of your double bed, leaving the walkway in the room free. Once your baby starts sitting up, you will need to move to a stable cot with high bars.
Where should you never put the cot in a small room?
Do not put the cot right against a radiator (risk of overheating a newborn), under an open window, next to blind cords or unprotected sockets (strangulation risk), or under hanging shelves loaded with books or ornaments.
Think it could help someone else?
Send the guide to your partner or to a friend who is expecting a baby.