Should I buy a cot before the baby is born?
Short answer: You do not need one on day one, because a Moses basket or bedside crib in your room covers the first months. Many parents still buy and build the cot early.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Check the internal size and buy a mattress that fits with no gaps.
- Adjustable base heights let you lower the mattress as your baby learns to sit and stand.
- Teething rails protect the top rails from little teeth.
What the guidance says
- The NHS advises placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.
Related questions
What is a cot?
A framed baby bed with fixed sides, usually taking a 120 x 60cm mattress.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - White
- Hartley Classic Cot
- Stamford Space Saver Sleigh Cot - White
- Obaby Stamford Space Saver Cot in Warm Grey
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Should my baby sleep on their back?When should I buy a Moses basket?Can grandparents use a travel cot for my baby?Can an 18 month old sleep in a cot?Grandparents' safe sleep quizYour 8 month's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.