A baby cot, along with a stroller and car seat, is one of the first and most important purchases for newborn babies. Browse our collection of safe, durable and stylish cots, cradles and bassinets to find some of the best products in Australia.
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Top Baby Cots For 2024
A cot will be your newborn's bed for the first couple of years. Metro Baby has done the research for the best baby cot in 2024 so you can enjoy life while bonding with your new arrival.
read guideDiscover the best cot to help your baby sleep well!
Finding the perfect cot for you and your baby is an important decision that takes time and a bit of research. Long gone are the days when there were just a few cots to choose from. Whether you want a sleigh cot or an oval cot, there are many choices around deciding on a baby cot. Things to consider include shape, size, model and materials. All this equips parents to make the best decision for their little one.
Tips to finding the right baby cot for you
A baby cot is an essential piece of nursery furniture that helps ensure bub gets a good and safe night’s sleep. Here are a few tips to help narrow down your selection to find the right baby cot for you.
● Consider using a bassinet for the first few months until you have an idea of sleeping preferences for you and bub. Many parents place a bassinet next to their bed for safe co-sleeping with bub for the first few months. A bassinet is a safe dedicated sleeping place for bub but also makes night access, soothing and feeding easier for mum and bub.
● When deciding on the right baby cot for you, ask friends for recommendations and do your own research.
● Most cots are only used for a year or two, so consider convertible cots (to junior beds) to extend the life of your cot. Bassinets are only used for bub’s first few months. Always check the manufacturer’s guide on age suitability for all your baby products.
● Mattresses are rarely included when buying a cot, so factor in the price of buying a new cot mattress. Avoid using a second-hand cot or bassinet mattress for child safety reasons. There’s a researched link between mould build-up in used child mattresses and SIDS.
● Think about what other features are important to you: Adjustable mattress height? Wheels and safety locks to help move the cot? Cots with the option of a teething rail add-on?
● Consider how much space the cot will take up in your nursery as well as what other furniture you need. When possible, find furniture that does double-duty, like a change table with shelves or drawers for extra storage.
Types of cots available
When considering your options, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s guide on baby’s age, size and weight limit as this may vary across products and manufacturer. There are various safe sleeping spaces, starting from newborn.
● Baby cot: A traditional cot, or crib, is a solid cage-like bed suitable for newborns up to small toddlers.
● Bassinet: Suitable for bub’s first few months, this is a dedicated safe sleeping space for a newborn, often on wheels, which can be moved between rooms if parents choose to safely co-sleep with bub.
● Cradle: Also suitable for newborn babies, like a bassinet, but cradles are rockers (usually manual), and can sway from side to side. Bassinets can’t sway or rock.
● Travel cot: Also known as a porta-cot, this is a portable version of a cot, suitable for traveling.
Things to consider before the big purchase
● Ease of use: Make sure the cot is easy to get bub in and out of. A safety approved dropside cot rail helps, as well as being able to adjust the mattress height.
● Placement: Some parents position a cot close to the nursery door so they can reach bub quickly and easily. Make sure to place the cot away from a window, shelving or any electrical cords, and do not hang anything above the crib.
● Longevity: As cots are expensive purchases, consider how much life you will get out of your cot. A convertible cot is an option that can be used as your child moves from babyhood to toddler stage and beyond, converting into a junior bed.
● Safety: Protect your little one as they sleep by buying a solid, secure cot that is trusted and conforms to Australian and New Zealand safety standards. Also check a second-hand to ensure it conforms to current government child safety standards.
A cot mattress is also an important decision
A firm cot mattress is crucial for a baby to sleep well and safely. Buying a mattress protector for your mattress is a smart way to protect and extend your mattress’ life.
Finding the best baby cot mattress
To find the best baby cot mattress, parents consider a number of safety issues, which include:
- Buy new: Avoid using a second-hand cot mattress, even if you’re using a second-hand cot that conforms to current government child safety standards. For a cot mattress, it’s recommended to buy new. (The same applies to considering a bassinet and a bassinet mattress.) For a cot mattress, buy either a new mattress that comes with your new cot or a new cot mattress that perfectly fits your pre-loved cot. The reason to avoid second-hand bassinet and cot mattresses is that there’s a researched link between SIDS and harmful bacteria and mould build-up in used cot and bassinet mattresses. Always only buy a bassinet or cot mattress that meets the necessary safety standards. All Metro Baby’s items adhere to Australian and New Zealand safety standards.
- Fit and size: For safety reasons and to avoid bub being trapped between a mattress and the edge of a cot or bassinet, the mattress should fit snugly within the confines of the cot or bassinet. There should be no space between the mattress and the inside edge of the cot or bassinet. Check your cot dimensions and mattress dimensions to make sure you buy a mattress that fits your cot or bassinet perfectly with no gaps on any sides.
- Firmness: The mattress you choose should be designed for babies to support their growing body with a firm sleeping surface suited to a baby's needs, adhering to all required sleep safety requirements.
- Years of use: Some cot mattresses can be used for young baby all the way through to junior toddler bed stage. Like Leander's Classic Cot Junior Bed Mattress Extension which extends a baby cot mattress into a toddler mattress for a toddler single bed.
- Materials: When considering mattresses, sheets and mattress protectors, some parents also look for hypo-allergenic and eco-friendly materials.
Look for an adjustable mattress height
When your little one is not yet sitting, standing or pulling him/herself up, an adjustable mattress height means you are able to raise the height of the cot mattress by safely raising the base of the cot (well before you place your new bub inside the cot). A higher mattress height makes it easier to lift bub in and out. When bub is a bit older and able to sit, and is able to pull up or stand, you need to safely lower the cot base and mattress height to reduce the chance of bub pulling themselves up and over the guardrails. Always check your manufacturer’s guide on age suitability and development stage of your child against the various features of any child product you’re considering to buy. And always assess what's safest for your child as your child develops at their own pace.
Cots come in all different sizes – make sure you choose the best one to fit in your room
When choosing the size of your cot, besides considering the age of your child, you also need to factor in the size of your baby's room so you choose a cot that’s an appropriate size.
Different designs and colours to match your room décor
With the array of styles and designs available, it’s easy to match your cot to your room decor, whether it’s scandi, forest, or animal-themed.
Bassinet or Cot – the decision is yours
Bassinets and cots offer different sleeping arrangements for your child.
A bassinet, also called a co-sleeper, is ideal for newborns as they are smaller, cocoon-like, and lightweight, and can be attached to the side of an adult’s bed or wheeled in to stand alongside an adult bed. Bassinets are generally suited to bub’s first 4-6 months, or until your baby starts to be more mobile, starts to show signs of rolling, and needs more space. Also check the manufacturer’s size and weight guide for your bassinet.
A cot is an independent baby bed for newborns up to around 18-24 months, or as long as your child is not a climber. A cot is a longer-term solution than a bassinet, and also generally solid and less mobile.
Features to consider
There are many features available when it comes to baby cots, so consider which are most important to you before purchasing. Start with safety -- always top of the list.
Safety is number one priority: Safety standards to know about
- Ensure your cot adheres to current Australian and New Zealand safety standards. If you’re using a second-hand cot from a previous bub (sibling, family or friend), always check that model cot adheres to all the necessary current child safety requirements in Australia/New Zealand. For a new cot, always check the Australian/New Zealand Safety code appears on the product as well as packaging.
- Buy a new mattress, for a bassinet or a cot, even if the cot or bassinet is second-hand. Avoid second-hand mattresses as there’s a risk of mould and bacteria build-up. Used mattresses has a researched link to SIDS.
- Get a mattress that firmly supports your baby (like an innerspring mattress) and reaches all sides of the cot, with no gaps for the baby to get stuck in or fall into.
- Rails, panels or bars are essential for keeping your baby safely inside the cot.
- Check that the cot is made with sturdy materials and non-toxic paints (teething babies can chew on sides of cots!).
Ease of use
A sometimes forgotten consideration… How easy is your cot to work with, adjust or move? Important questions for time-poor, sleep-deprived parents!
Cots which convert into a junior bed
A cot bed that can transform into a toddler bed, with a conversion kit, is an economical option for increasing the life of your cot. Troll’s Sun Cot Junior Bed Conversion Kit transforms baby’s cot into a toddler bed, using the same compatible perfect fit PixieBaby innerspring mattress, suitable from birth to 5+ years.
Other nursery accessories you may want to also consider
● Change tables and change mats
● Rockers
● Sleeping bags and swaddles
● Baby cot sheets, sheet sets and blankets
● Playpens
More about baby cot sheets and sets
Choose from our wide range of gorgeous colours and prints, as single cot sheets and 2-packs, as well as padded mattress protectors which also protect bub’s mattress. We offer a wide range of beautiful baby cot sheets and sets which are standard in size so can fit various brands of cot mattresses. Like Snuggle Hunny Kids Fitted Cotton Sheets which fit all standard size cots including the Boori Daintree. Although it’s best to check your cot mattress dimensions before buying baby cot sheets and mattress protectors to be doubly sure.
Some of our other bestseller baby cot sheets and popular sets include: Luna by Leander’s organic single cot sheets and 2-packs in a range of beautiful colours; Atelier Choux’s fitted organic cotton sheets in exquisite prints including Hot Air Balloon, In Bloom, and Ferris Wheel; Garbo and Friends 100% Portuguese Cotton and 100% Cotton Muslin Junior Fitted Sheet available in gorgeous prints.
Brands we know and trust
Trusted and well-known brands like Baby Bjorn, Troll, Charlie Crane, Leander, Snuggle Hunny Kids, Cocoon, Boori, Stokke, Bebe Care and Tasman Eco are all available in Australia. All Metro Baby’s baby products and brands adhere to Australian and New Zealand safety standards. Our bestsellers include baby cots, bassinets, change tables, dressers, bouncers and rockers. Beyond nursery furniture and accessories, our range extends to popular products for on-the-move families including prams, strollers, car seats, liners, breastfeeding products, backpacks and nappy bags. Other top picks include high chairs, safety harnesses, bibs, sleeping bags, potties, thermometers, wooden toys with gliders, clothes and more.
Buying your cot mattress online at Metro Baby
Metro Baby is Australia’s trusted online one-stop baby shop offering an extensive range of deluxe and specialty baby products from the most trusted local and international brands. We are careful in selecting the best quality baby products to cater for your little one's many and changing needs. Our exceptional customer service includes easy checkout, Price Promise, pre-order options, and gift cards to fulfil a parent's wishlist.
FAQs:
What age are cots suitable for?
Cots are generally suitable for newborns up to toddlers, but should be transformed from new born mattress height to toddler height when bub develops. As soon as your toddler can sit up, they will soon be able to pull themselves up with the risk of being able to get out of the cot. While lowering the mattress height can help keep growing bub safe, your little one will eventually get to a stage of climbing out of the cot – which means they have definitely outgrown it! Each child is different and a parent needs to assess each child’s development stage against their own cot use and safety. Shop our range of cot accessories to help get the most out of your cot for your bub's early years.
Do cots come in different sizes?
Cots come in different sizes, as well as shapes, colours and materials, to suit all babies. Cots make perfect presents as well, so add a cot to your gift registry wish list today!
What is the best cot for newborns?
The best cot for a newborn will depend on you and your baby’s sleeping preferences. Visit Metro Baby to shop for cots and other nursery decor from night lights to mobiles to wall stickers.
Where can you buy baby cots online?
There are a many places to buy baby cots online. Metro Baby prides itself on being Australia’s one-stop online baby shop, servicing all your baby product needs.
