When should I buy a cot?
Short answer: Many parents buy in the second trimester so it can be delivered and built before the third. A Moses basket or bedside crib covers the first months anyway.
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
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - Warm Grey
- Stamford Space Saver Sleigh Cot - White
- Bantam Cot - White
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
What bedside cribs does Baby Kingdom sell?Bedside cribs buying guide for UK parentsCan a 10 month old have a cot bumper?What safety standard should a cot meet?Reflux and sleep position: what parents should knowCots buying guide for UK parentsAll 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.