With so many models now available, finding the right pushchair, buggy or stroller can feel like a bit of a daunting – not to mention expensive – task.

Do you want one that is forward- or world-facing, or both? Do you need something sturdy or light? Compact or compatible with a travel system? There are so many decisions to make but they usually come down to two things: your lifestyle and your budget. While some pushchairs cost the same as a second-hand car, there are great affordable options too and, in this guide, we’ve included a range of strollers to suit all budgets and lifestyles, whether you live in a flat in the city or a farm in the country. 

Making an informed choice on the pushchair you buy will make those first couple of years much easier, so we’ve included buggies with a range of features, including reversible seats, off-road wheels, adjustable handles and even LED lights. Read on to decide what features you'd consider essentials or just extras, and to find the best pushchair for you and your baby.

You can also find out how we test and review products to learn more about how we selected the best strollers to feature in this guide.

Best pushchairs 2024: the quick list

No time to read the full reviews? Choose from our summary of the best prams: 

Best pushchairs 2024 - tried and tested by parents 

Best pushchair overall

Tested by: Katie Archer and her son Rory, aged seven months.

Our baby gear expert says: With a reversible seat unit and a compact, lightweight frame, this pushchair converts easily to a travel system with the addition of the carrycot or one of the compatible car seats. It has a leatherette height-adjustable handlebar – handy for parents of different heights – plus all-wheel suspension and front swivel wheel locks for a smooth ride on all types of terrain. 

Parent tester, Katie, says: "We both loved the Nuna Triv, which offers the best of a traditional travel system and a compact city stroller," says our tester Katie. "You can tell it's a premium pushchair from the quality of the materials and the design details but it doesn't just look good – it's also incredibly easy to use. It really delivers on its promise of being compact and easy to fold one-handed. It's light to lift and feels much sturdier than other compact strollers. It's marketed as a city stroller, but it feels much more capable of taking on bumpy parks or countryside walks than other products in this category. It has great suspension and tough wheels, so it tackled potholes and uneven curbs with ease. Rory loved being able to face me and seemed very comfortable in the padded merino wool insert."

Our tester's favourite features are the sturdy, extendable sun canopy and the huge shopping basket. She also rates the rain cover, calling it the best she's seen because of a cleverly-designed pocket which folds over the pushchair frame to protect it from splashes. 

GoodtoKnow verdict: Although pricey, we feel the Nuna Triv is worth the investment for such a robustly-designed travel system that ticks every box in what we look for in a buggy, and is one which can carry you through many years of use.

Read more: Nuna Triv pushchair review

Best premium

Tested by: Emily-Ann Elliott, mum to two-year-old Betty and two-month-old Ted.

Our baby gear expert says: This stylish travel system is available to buy as a complete bundle consisting of the pushchair frame with seat unit (which can be parent-facing or front-facing) and carrycot, as well as a changing bag and cosy foot muff. It also comes with rain covers, car seat adaptors (so you can easily attach a car seat to the chassis) and elevator adaptors, which allow you to position the parent-facing seat closer to you. It folds compactly compared to other travel systems, which is handy for fitting it neatly in your car boot or storing it at home when it's not in use.

Parent tester, Emily-Ann, says: "It's very stylish and everything feels really well made and easy to use – it's sturdy to push, without being too heavy, and the suspension makes it easy to manoeuvre on rough ground," says our tester Emily-Ann.

Our tester's standout features are the integrated ride-on board – brilliant if you have two little ones because a tired toddler can hop aboard – and the fact that the carrycot can be used for overnight sleeping. "That saved us having to take an extra cot with us when travelling away overnight," she says. "I also love the big shopping basket, and the fact that the changing bag can be carried as a backpack."

GoodtoKnow verdict: This is an ideal travel system for busy parents who want a high-quality pushchair that's built to last and which can adapt as your family grows – it's a great choice for a first baby if you're hoping to have another baby in the not-too-distant future. 

Read more: iCandy Lime Lifestyle pushchair

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Best budget

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Tested by: Charlotte, mum to two-year-old Betty and two-month-old Ted.

Our baby gear expert says: This versatile 4-in-1 pushchair can be used in multiple modes. The lie-flat pushchair seat can be used rear-facing or parent-facing, and you can attach the Joie ramble™ XL carrycot or a compatible infant carrier car seat – both sold separately. We like the height-adjustable handlebar, built-in carry strap, and the fact that it's freestanding when folded – handy for storing it in the hallway.

Parent tester, Charlotte, says: "The simple one-handed fold system is useful for parents who have their hands full, although it's a little on the heavy side to lift into the car. The large rubber tyres and all-wheel suspension with front swivel wheels make this pushchair really easy to steer and a smooth ride, even on rough terrain. The seat padding and straps are comfortable for little ones, and my toddler enjoyed holding onto the bumper bar."

Charlotte particularly likes the spacious shopping basket and the fact that it can be accessed from the front or the back. "No more discovering that whatever you need from beneath the buggy is stuck at the front, and unloading everything to reach it," she says. The basket also has a zip-up pocket and water bottle holder inside – nice extra touches. We like the expandable hood with ventilation windows, too – perfect for warm weather.

Verdict: This is a really versatile and smart-looking pushchair. We think it's a great price given all the useful extra design features, such as the one-handed folding system, large storage basket and expandable hood.

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Best urban running buggy

Tested by: Oli Oakley and her baby daughter.

Our baby gear expert says: If you're an active, sporty parent who sees no reason to stop running just because you've had a baby, this is one of the best pushchairs you could buy. Our tester was excited to try it out - she'd heard lots of hype about it - and found it more than lived up to her expectations. Designed for urban environments, it's an impressively versatile 4-in-1 multisport running pushchair. You can choose whether to push the stroller in front of you while running or attach it to your waist and pull it behind you. It's also suitable for cycling or cross-country skiing.

Parent tester, Oli, says: "It's lightweight and the wheels are a great size, plus the seat is very comfortable for the child," she says. "It runs very smoothly and it's easy to put together. It also folds down smaller than any of the other buggies I've used, so it would fit easily in the boot of a car."

Verdict: Overall, this is a brilliantly designed pushchair for sporty parents. "I love the Cybex Zeno - it's very comfortable for my baby and she seems happy in it," adds Oli. "I think it will only get better to use as she gets older. I love the way it looks and have had lots of compliments about my stylish buggy. My favourite function by far is the pushing element as I find I have more control and it feels more comfortable, but it's great to have options in terms of how you use it."

Read more: Cybex Zeno pushchair review

Best lightweight pushchair

Tested by: Lynsey Hope and her daughter Ivy, aged 18 months

Our baby gear expert says: The Airo is the lightest pushchair yet from Mamas and Papas. It's sleek and streamlined, light enough to carry backpack-style, and suitable from birth. 

Parent tester, Lynsey, says: "Both my husband and I really loved this pushchair. It's incredibly light - the lightest pushchair I've ever used - and it folds up very easily. We've always used an iCandy which is great for off-road walks. But it takes up a lot of space so we keep it stored in the car boot. The Airo takes up so little space that we're able to keep it in the hall without it getting in anyone's way. That saves lots of time as we're not fetching in and out of the car for the school run every day."

Verdict: If you're looking for a travel-friendly pushchair that's plush enough for a newborn, able to weave through narrow shop aisles or dodging crowds on busy pavements, the Mamas and Papas Airo is the perfect pushchair for city life. And if you're thinking of trading in a heavy travel system for a lighter, nippier buggy for a growing toddler, this pushchair ticks all the boxes. 

Read more: Mamas & Papas Airo Pushchair review

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Best for city-living

Tested by: Emily-Ann Elliott, mum to Betty, two, and Ted, two months.

Our baby gear expert says: Easy to fold, carry and manoeuvre, this travel-friendly pushchair fits into the overhead storage compartment on an aeroplane and has an integrated carry strap with a leather shoulder pad. It comes with a quilted seat liner, footmuff, cup holder, rain cover, buggy organiser, and a protective storage bag. You can recline the seat easily with one hand – useful when your baby nods off in the buggy– and you can attach a compatible infant carrier car seat to the frame to create a travel system.

Parent tester, Emily-Ann, says: "This is truly lightweight compared to other pushchairs, so it's perfect for travel use or for parents who use public transport. The storage bag has straps so you can wear it like a backpack – useful if your hands are full when travelling. Once assembled, it's easy to fold and unfold. It's best suited to smooth ground but it's really easy to manoeuvre and feels stable when pushing. The black and rose gold colour combination is very stylish – for such an affordable option, this looks really good."

Verdict: Overall, this is an excellent buggy at a really affordable price. Emily-Ann commented on the extra accessories and thoughtful design details, such as the hood viewing window for keeping an eye on your baby; the adjustable leg rest for comfy naps; and the handy storage pouch for your valuables. "My toddler loved holding on to the bumper bar across the front and although the shopping basket could be bigger, I think that's a fair price to pay for something so compact," she adds. 

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Best for longevity

Tested by: Katie Archer and her son Rory, aged seven months.

Our baby gear expert says: With a lie-flat seat recline, airflow backrest and a newborn head hugger, this is a good choice if you're looking for a sturdy but light stroller that's suitable for use from birth. You can attach a Silver Cross infant carrier car seat to create a travel system.

Parent tester, Katie, says: "This stroller was a hit with Rory – he found this extremely comfortable, had some long naps in it and was obviously very happy sitting in it, thanks to the supportive backrest and plush, padded newborn insert."

Our tester found the pushchair a little unwieldy going over curbs, up steps, and when pushing it uphill. "It also felt wide for narrow streets and doorways, and difficult to fold for public transport and storage – you definitely can't fold it with one hand, so you need another adult around to hold the baby while you fold it," she says.

GoodtoKnow verdict: This pushchair is very well made – robust and sturdy, and clearly designed to withstand years of everyday use. It's also smooth to push, offering surprisingly good suspension over bumpy ground for something reasonably light. The extendable sun canopy hood is effective at blocking out the sun and offering an extra layer of cosiness for naps. The leather bumper bar is articulated to fold with the stroller, which our tester thinks is a nice touch.

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Best for easy storage

Tested by: Lisa Harris and her baby Juno, aged five months.

Our baby gear expert says: This is a super-stylish pushchair designed in collaboration with singer Paloma Faith. It's really lightweight and folds easily, plus it's free-standing for easy storage. We like the handy extra features for busy parents – a secure pocket in the hood and basket, a large rain cover and a cup holder. The bold, striking print makes it a hit with kids and a talking point with parents.

Parent tester, Lisa, says: "I felt like I'd slipped into a designer outfit when pushing this stylish pram out and about! Friends loved the bold tiger print and cool, rose gold finish. It's easy to steer with one hand, and the swivel front wheels navigated narrow shop aisles and busy streets easily. The secure and well-hidden back pocket in the hood is really convenient for a mobile phone, wallet, face mask and other essentials."

"This is a cool, city-slicker style pushchair that's simple to fold and unfold with one hand. The rear foot brake and front wheel controls are easy to operate with one foot. The safety straps release all at once, which makes it quick to get my baby out, although it's a little more fiddly to strap her in.  The large rain cover is very secure, even in high winds on the beach, and the cover carries the same bold print as the pushchair so it still felt smart even in a downpour. It kept things in the bottom basket dry too! The seat reclines almost horizontal, which is great for baby naps in the middle of the day, and the inside of the pram is dark, so she slept really well too."

Verdict: This pushchair is so stylish, our tester opted to take her sleeping baby out to a restaurant one evening. "There's also a large viewing window in the hood to quietly check on your sleeping (or not!) baby," Lisa says. What's not to love?

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Best for one-hand fold

Tested by: Lisa Harris, mum to five-month-old Juno.

Our baby gear expert says: The Cybex Melio Carbon Stroller is a super-light stroller with a reversible seat that's designed for city living. It's a doddle to fold and extremely compact when folded – ideal for travel use or taking on public transport. We love the excellent suspension and nippy swivel wheels. The frame is compatible with the Cybex Melio cot and the Cybex Cocoon S car seat, to create a complete travel system.

Parent tester, Lisa, says: "This stroller would be great for a holiday as it's so compact and light, plus it has a removable seat liner and an open mesh back for keeping cool in the heat. The sun canopy is huge – it goes all the way down to my daughter's feet – which is useful for daytime naps and keeping the sun out of my daughter's eyes. The full recline position is also practically flat like a first class airline seat. The rain cover gives good protection and has velcro tabs to keep the rear dry against splash-back from the pavement. The rain cover peekaboo hatch makes it easy to pull the visor down for sleep whilst it's raining – or to feed snacks through!"

Verdict: Lisa felt the basket was a good size but open to the elements and there are no pockets to stash your phone, wallet or baby essentials. "The light, sleek carbon frame and precision swivel steering make this feel like manoeuvering a high-end speed bike rather than pushing a pram," she says. "The one-handed collapse is very convenient, although it doesn't have a catch to hold the wheels together once it's folded down, which made it slightly unwieldy to carry. It did stand up on its wheels whilst folded though, which makes it easy to store."

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Best for all terrain

Tested by: Lisa Harris, mum to Juno, five months.

Our baby gear expert says: Ideal for travel use but robust enough to use every day, this lightweight buggy is compatible with selected infant car seats to create a highly affordable travel system. The lockable front swivel wheels also make it easy to manoeuvre on different types of terrain.

Parent tester, Lisa, says: "This is excellent value for a pushchair that ticks all the boxes for functionality without fuss. It was a bit fiddly to assemble and you need two hands to fold it by pushing two buttons on the side, but it opens up with one hand, and in one swift movement, once you release the side clip. 

When collapsed, it's compact and stays together so it's easy to put away in the boot of the car or under the stairs. The visor gives great coverage in the sun and rain and has a firm front section and a handy peekaboo flap to check on your sleeping baby. 

GoodtoKnow verdict: Lisa felt that the handlebar had a good grip and she found this buggy easy to manoeuvre, thanks to the front swivel wheels. The back brake can be operated from either side, which she mentioned her boyfriend found useful as he's left-handed. "The reclining seat was easy to operate, even with a baby in, which isn't always the case," she added. But our tester loved the "capacious" basket, which she found easy to access. "The basket has a protective bottom which stopped our fruit and veg getting wet in the rain too," she says. 

Best for ergonomic design

Tested by: Katie Archer, mum to Rory, seven months.

Our baby gear expert says: This ergonomically designed stroller is seriously lightweight and compact enough to count as airline carry-on luggage. It's easy to fold with one hand. A newborn kit, footmuff, and carry bag are available to buy separately. It's ideal for smaller homes or those with limited storage space, as well as for fitting in small car boots.

Parent tester, Katie, says: "Rory and I both loved this stroller. I had been looking for something lightweight and compact to handle crowded streets in London and this fits the bill perfectly. It has a sleek, pared-back design which I love – no fussy design features – and it can easily fit through the narrowest of spaces. This is by far the easiest stroller I've used in terms of folding – it couldn't be simpler to fold one-handed and takes up minimal space on public transport. Even when I was out with both children, it didn't feel cumbersome to fold whilst keeping track of them. The five-point harness is very quick and simple to fasten, so there's no time wasted. It pushes really smoothly and Rory looked very comfortable in it."

The Metro's main selling point is its ergonomic design – as you might expect from a company known for its supportive baby carriers. Our tester feels the back support is truly impressive and every bit as good as the Ergobaby carrier. "Rory found it very comfortable and nodded off to sleep nearly every time we used it, and the height of the handlebar makes it easy on the adult's back – something that had previously put me off very compact strollers as they seemed a bit too low and looked like they might put stress on your back," she says. 

GoodtoKnow verdict: This was smooth and easy to push, but our tester says it jolted a bit over curbs and uneven ground so recommends it as a city stroller rather than one for countryside walks. The shopping basket is more spacious than she expected and was easily accessible from both the front and back. "This is great value for money as it can be used at home and on holiday right up until Rory outgrows needing a pushchair," our tester added. 

Best for luxury design

Tested by: Aileen Farrell and her two-year-old daughter, Isla.

Our baby gear expert says: This stylish pushchair comes with both a luxurious carrycot for use from birth and an upright pushchair seat, which reclines easily for naps on the go. The pushchair is designed so that you can use it as a highchair at the right height for a table when dining out. We like the integrated LED lights for night-time visibility and the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Parent tester, Aileen, says: "There are so many lovely features on this pushchair. I particularly love the one-handed seat recline with multiple positions – it's so easy to tilt my toddler back when she falls asleep. The seat unit is large and comfortable and so easy to switch from rearward to forward-facing, and the bassinet is really luxurious for a newborn, with a comfortable mattress. The wheel locks are very easy to use. You don't have to bend down and push a button, you just tap it with your foot. The harness is particularly handy for getting my child out – you just press a button and all the straps detach – no more fiddling with getting arms out of the straps. I also really appreciated the ease of making the straps longer or shorter. Some buggy seat straps are so fiddly and annoying but these are super easy to adjust."

GoodtoKnow verdict: Aileen particularly liked the LED lighting and found it useful on evening walks. "I felt confident that drivers could see me when I was walking on dark seaside roads," she says. Folding the buggy was a little challenging, and lifting this into a car boot definitely requires some muscle.

Best for parent-facing

Tested by: Becky Magill, mum to two-year-old Isaac.

Our baby gear expert says: This is a modern, stylish pushchair with a really sleek finish. It folds compactly with one hand and handles well, whilst only taking up a small portion of boot space. The handle is simple to adjust and luxuriously padded.

Parent tester, Becky, says: "This is really easy to push – it glides along and handles really well. Isaac looked really comfy and wasn't in a rush to get out of this pushchair, although I felt like I was a long way from him. It folds really nicely, once you get the hang of the multi-step folding process, and sits flat in the car boot taking up very little room, considering the size of the pushchair when it's in use. It's a very stylish-looking pushchair – I especially like how large the hood is, and the magnetic peekaboo flaps so I can see what Isaac is up to. The brake is so easy to put on and very stable. The standout feature for me is the rain cover; it pops over very easily, attaches around the frame with poppers on elastic, and stays put in heavy wind and rain – but then has a middle zip, so you can get baby out without getting the pushchair seat wet – excellent!"

GoodtoKnow verdict: Becky found the shopping basket a good size – no fear of losing anything out of the sides. She likes the fact that the seat reclines to fully flat but is well protected by the hood, so it's good for a cosy sleep. "I love that it is both parent and world-facing," she says. "This would work brilliantly on public transport, and would store well in the hallway of a small apartment."

Best off-road pushchair

Tested by: Goodto parent tester Lizzy Langan and her daughter, Niamh, who was eight months old at the time. 

Our baby gear expert says: This is a sleek and stylish pushchair that will appeal to parents who don't necessarily want to invest in a sports buggy exclusively designed for running but do want the option of switching back and forth between a buggy for daily use and one that can handle some regular running on off-road surfaces. 

Designed in partnership with mum and marathon runner Robin Arzón, the Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón is a three-wheeled pushchair with all-wheel suspension so it ensures a smooth ride for your baby and an easy push for you, on all types of terrain. 

Parent tester, Lizzy, says: While testing this pushchair, Lizzy felt it was a "well thought out" design and noted that it feels like a "high-end" piece of baby kit. Lizzy told GoodtoKnow she would recommend it to anyone who enjoys running and wants a stylish and functional buggy that is comfortable for parent and child for both day-to-day use and for regular gentle running.

During testing, the Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón delivered "a comfortable and efficient run" for our parent reviewer. It kept her baby so comfortable and cushioned from the bumpy ground that she actually napped happily throughout Lizzy's run.

GoodtoKnow verdict: The Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón is well worth buying if you want a stylish pushchair that you can use every day but that will support you in living an active lifestyle with regular off-road walks and runs. If you like the idea of squeezing in some daily exercise while your baby watches the world go by - or even naps - then this could well be the best pushchair for you.

Read more: Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzó review

How to choose the best pushchair for your baby

Working out which buggy, pushchair, or stroller you should buy is complicated. There are a lot of different factors to consider, from how much the pushchair weighs – especially important if you’re going to be lugging it in and out of your car boot or taking it on public transport – to whether the wheels will cope with the kind of terrain you’ll be tackling daily. These are the important factors to consider before you decide which is the best pushchair for you.

• Wheels - The first thing to consider is where you’ll be using it. You should choose a buggy with wheels specifically designed for that purpose. The best pushchair for nipping over shiny shop floors and navigating urban pavements is one with a compact frame and small wheels that swivel to help with maneuverability when tackling curbs and narrow or crowded spaces. But if you spend more time in the park than in the city and your weekends involve lots of time outdoors, you’ll need a sturdier frame with all-weather fabrics and - crucially - all-terrain wheels that can handle uneven ground.
• Storage - Think, about where you’ll keep the pushchair when it’s not in use. If you drive, choose a buggy that fits neatly in your car boot without taking up all the space. If you’ll be storing the buggy in your hallway, choose a compact model that you won't struggle to squeeze past. And to reduce the chances of the pushchair springing open and whacking you on the shins every time you open the front door, choose one that’s freestanding when folded.
• Value for money - If you haven't got hundreds of pounds to spend on a pushchair, don't fret - there are many super affordable models out there that have lots of similar functionality to the premium brands but for a fraction of the price. And if you do decide that a luxe model is the best pushchair for you, factor in things like whether it can convert to a double if your family grows in the future, so that you can be sure you're getting value for money. 
• Manoeuvrability - Pay close attention to our reviewer's comments on things like how easy it is to steer and control the pushchair you're thinking of buying. This is one of those crucial details that can make or break how you feel about getting out and about with your little one - and you won't normally know what it's like to use until you start using it. Need something easy to push uphill? Or want a pushchair that you can fold easily if you'll be doing so while keeping an eye on older siblings? See what the reviewers say about the details that are most important to you. 
• Weight  - These days you can buy a pushchair that weighs as little as 6kg which is a godsend if you have back problems or spend lots of time lifting the stroller in and out of the car boot. But if you don't need an ultra-lightweight pushchair, go for something a bit sturdier as it's likely to be a little more robust. 
• Practicality - Don't forget to consider the size of the shopping basket. There's nothing more frustrating than discovering that the pushchair basket is inaccessible when the pushchair seat is reclined. And if you're likely to pop to the shops for nappies and milk with your little one in tow, make sure the basket is big enough for your usual purchases.
• Extra features - Some pushchairs have extra design elements and these little details can really make you fall in love with your stroller. If you're wildly different from your partner in height, choose a pushchair with an adjustable handlebar. And think about whether you'd like the flexibility to change which direction the pushchair seat faces. If you can't see yourself faffing about with that, don't waste money on that extra functionality. 
• Design - It's ok to factor in how you feel about pushing the pushchair you use! In fact, if you love the design then you're more likely to take travelling with your child or toddler in you stride.  
• The bus and cobblestones tests - The ultimate test - consider our testers' comments on things like whether the pushchair stays put when you're on a bendy bus going round a corner, and if the suspension means cobblestones don't set your child's cheeks a-jiggling. 

What's the difference between a pram and a pushchair?

In a nutshell, a pram is for babies to lie flat in from birth, while a pushchair is a buggy with an upright seat suitable for older babies and toddlers to sit in. However, there's lots of overlap between prams and pushchairs these days – some buggies have carrycot attachments that you can use from birth and then remove after six months and replace with a seat unit, for example. Similarly, many pushchairs have adjustable seats that can be reclined fully flat to make them more like a pram and suitable for newborn babies and those under six months.

Pram is an old-fashioned word that's usually used to describe a pushchair that has a carrycot or bassinet suitable from birth that allows the baby to lie completely flat. Prams like this are specifically designed for newborn babies up to the age of around six months because it's vital that babies under six months old lie completely flat in a pram or pushchair (instead of sitting upright in a pushchair seat) in order to ensure unrestricted airflow and the healthy development of the spine and lungs.

A buggy, pushchair, or stroller (these are all different names for the same thing) differs from a pram because it has an upright seat unit rather than a carrycot or bassinet. A pushchair is typically suitable for use from six months onwards, once babies no longer need to lie flat, although some also can be used from birth if the seat reclines far enough. 

Lots of pushchairs are highly adjustable so that you can configure them to suit your exact requirements. A travel system is a good choice if you're looking for this kind of flexibility. That's a pushchair frame (called the chassis) with a removable pushchair seat so that you pop it off the frame and attach a baby car seat instead if when you wish. This makes it easy to move between the car and the pushchair without having to remove your baby from the car seat. Many travel systems are also designed to take a carrycot attachment, too.

Babies shouldn't sit in car seats for more than two hours at a time, and car seats shouldn't be used for sleeping. Don't worry if your baby nods off in the car – just make sure she doesn't sit in it for too long.

If you’re buying a pushchair for use from birth, choose a pram with a carrycot. Or, if you're short on storage space and don't want to store a bulky carrycot once your baby outgrows it, go for a pushchair with a fully-reclinable seat unit suitable for newborns. Some strollers aren't suitable from birth but can be adapted by purchasing a newborn accessory kit.

Which is the best pushchair, buggy, or stroller for toddlers?

We think the Nuna Triv is the best pushchair you can buy because it comes with a luxurious carrycot that's suitable from birth and a seat unit that you can replace it with after six months, so you're covered from birth well into toddlerhood.

But the answer depends on lots of factors, from your budget to your lifestyle. If you live in a small apartment in the city and rely on public transport, the best buggy, pushchair, or stroller for toddlers won't be the same as for someone who drives everywhere and lives in the country. A city-dwelling parent will need a lightweight pushchair that folds quickly and compactly and has small wheels to glide easily over shiny shop floors and urban streets. Someone who lives more rurally will need a pushchair that's light enough to lift in and out of the car and which won't take up all the space in the boot. A pushchair with robust, puncture-proof wheels and good suspension is a must to ensure a smooth ride over bumpy terrain.

The most important thing to take into account when buying a pushchair for a toddler is how much it weighs. Toddlers aren't light and they only get heavier, so choose a pushchair that feels robust enough to carry a growing child but won't be so heavy, once you add your occupant, that it's unwieldy to push.

We think the best buggy, pushchair, or stroller for toddlers is also the Nuna Triv. It's suitable for youngsters weighing up to 22kg and has a large shopping basket to stash a coat and some snacks. It's also easy to fold with one hand while you keep track of an adventuring toddler.

How we tested these pushchairs

Our product review testing process is fair, consistent and robust. 

Our Consumer Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of the best pushchairs based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest buggy offering from the market-leading brands - and as a parenting journalist for 15 years and mother of three, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. She also selected products from a broad range of price points so there's something here to suit every budget. 

Next, we called on our pool of reliable parent testers and assigned each of them a pushchair to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least ten days in a variety of weather conditions and on different types of terrain. 

After this, they gave each product a rating out of five for overall performance. We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, manouevrability, functionality (how easy is it to assemble and to fold/unfold), portability (how compact it is when folded) and value for money.

 If you’re looking at other ways of transporting your baby, check out our best baby carriers guide, or our feature on the best travel strollers, if you’re planning a trip away anytime soon. If you’re thinking of buying a pram as well as a pushchair, be sure to browse our best prams guide with advice on the latest models and honest feedback about how they fare in the real world.

Just like how interactive baby toys can motivate your little one to crawl, the best baby walkers can encourage them to take their first steps. So, to help you find the most suitable option for your little walker, we've scoured the shelves and put the top-rated options to the test.

If your baby has gone from crawling to cruising, it might be time to invest in a push toy to help them put their best foot forward. Nowadays, many of the best baby walkers do more than just encourage movement. They're filled with musical features, rotating seats and contain brightly coloured blocks so little feet can stay entertained while on the go.

Every baby is different and reaches key child development stages at different times. For example, some babies might be ready to find their own two feet at around 9 months old. While others won't consider placing one foot in front of the other until they're around one. Either way, baby walkers can give them a confidence boost and help support their balance as they find their feet.

Our guide features a number of options suitable from 6m to 5 years — and they've all been tried and tested by parents. To help you find the most suitable option for you and your baby, it's worth noting push toys come in a multitude of designs. For example:

• Seated walkers hold a baby in an upright position so they can use their feet to scoot around the room.
• A-frame walkers are push-along toys that babies hold onto for support as they practice taking steps.
• Ride-on toys are a mixture of both designs; toddlers can push them or sit on them to move themselves around, building strength and balance.

The best baby walker for your baby will depend on price and how confident they are with walking. Just note, the NHS recommends using a baby walker for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

The quick list

If you want quick advice to help you pinpoint the best baby walker to buy, here's a quick summary of our findings and test results:

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The best baby walkers 2024 - tried and tested by babies

Best baby walker overall

Tested by: Charlie and her baby, Seb, aged 10 months. 

Our baby gear expert says: 'A brilliant feature of the Haus Projekt Walker is how incredibly light and easy to push it is. The clever piece of kit has been designed to encourage little ones to take their first steps and, based on our tester's experience, it really works.'

Our tester, Charlie, says: 'Until we had this walker to review, Seb wasn't really showing any interest in pulling himself up, but within a couple of days, he realised that he could hold on to the top bar of the walker, and from that moment he was off.' 

This is a seriously stylish baby walker, which design-conscious parents will appreciate, but it's also super functional. There is a vast array of activities for little ones to explore, including cogs, flaps, beads, and musical instruments. 'There's a little xylophone (although Seb mostly enjoys chewing on the stick to play it with), cogs to turn, a little door that opens and closes, a spinning bear/leaf, a small corrugated block, some abacus beads, a spinning mirror, three holes for shapes to go through, and a wooden hexagon that you can move along a track', says Charlie. 'They've all been designed to encourage babies' cognitive development, and it's great that you can leave your little one in front of it and they'll be captivated for ages - super handy if you want to have a sneaky coffee while you watch them play!'.

Verdict: While this walker isn't the cheapest option in our guide, Charlie thinks the  Haus Projekt is still a savvy purchase and we wholeheartedly agree. 'With all the activities and the option of using it as a walker, this would suit a wide age range of babies so would be a good investment as they certainly won't be bored of it after five minutes,' she adds.

Read more: Haus Projekt Baby Walker review

Best value baby walker

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Tested by: Katy Islip, mum to Thea, nine months.

Our baby gear expert says: 'This baby walker has a detachable two-mode panel with lights and sounds including a movable bird character, rotating gears, piano keys, and a toy smartphone, while the frame also houses a simple roller rattle. It’s easy to assemble and its compact size makes it easy to store at bedtime - bonus!'

Our tester, Katy, says: 'Thea was immediately interested in this walker when it arrived, getting very excited as I went through the simple process of putting it together.' She gave her baby the play panel to explore on the floor at first, which was an instant hit.

'Thea got straight into pushing the piano keys and opening and closing the central door,' Katy adds. 'There are loads of engaging toys in the play panel, which doubles up on the fun by offering a music mode and a learning mode. This effectively gives every feature a dual purpose, so there’s no danger of Thea getting bored with it - or of me getting fed up listening to the same old noises and tunes.'

Our tester also commented on the wide range of music and songs that this walker plays, with more natural voices than baby toys typically feature. 'The two-volume levels help keep the chaos to a dull roar when needed, too,' she adds.

Verdict: Babies seem to universally love this walker toy – I had one for my first child who is now nineteen years old! It offers brilliant value for money and our tester found it gave her daughter hours of fun play, as well as physical support which helped build her confidence as she moved towards more independent walking.

Read more: Vtech First Steps baby walker review

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Best longevity

Tested by: Katy Islip, mum to Thea, nine months.

Our baby gear expert says: A sweet little walker and activity toy with adjustable height settings. The musical effects and sounds are mainly cute and didn't annoy our tester, and the additional toys added to the fun. Although Katy thinks it's a shame the ball tunnel only comes with one ball, and the door unfortunately comes off very easily. 'That has become a bit of a game for Thea,' she explains.

Our tester, Katy says: 'This little car quickly became a firm favourite in our house – it was simple to put together and, with batteries included, it was immediately good to go.' They started using the sit-and-play mode while Thea explored the various features, particularly enjoying the car's cute rolling eyes and the amusing light and sound effects triggered when each one moved. 'As she's just started cruising, we soon moved the handle up to the stand-and-play setting, giving her a better grip as she used it to pull herself up and lean on,' Katy adds.

Verdict: Overall, this is a sturdy little toy with lots to discover and hold a baby's attention. 'I might not have considered buying this over a 'traditional' walker but I've been impressed by its stability and charm,' our tester explains. 'The shape sorter pieces are very firmly wedged in position so she's not able to remove them yet but - hilariously - she has tried 'latching' onto their protruding tops, which made us laugh.'

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Most versatile baby walker

Tested by: Tess Watkins, mum to ten-month-old Isla. 

Our baby gear expert says: 'The Babymoov 5-in-1 Progressive Baby Walker has two core functions – it’s a seated baby walker for babies weighing up to 12kg, and then a push toy for use up to 24 months. I love how versatile the design is and the fact that it's not redundant once the child no longer needs a seated walker.'

Our tester, Tess, says: 'I absolutely loved this walker – it’s very simple to assemble and took around 20 minutes to build – I'm not usually very confident building anything on my own, but even I found it super easy.'

The seat is height adjustable and has three different settings, while the learning tray features a music box with three tunes and toys. Our tester found her daughter got the hang of this walker straight away and was soon cruising all over the living room. 'I really love the freedom this walker toy gives her; it encourages her development and lets her move around and get used to being on her feet in a safe way,' she adds.

Verdict: The 360° rotating seat is a brilliant feature. 'Isla gets so excited spinning around to discover the different toys,' says our tester, Tess. 'The walker is exceptionally good quality and extremely stable, and the seat cover is easy to remove and wash. And, with three different height settings, I think we’ll get a great deal of use out of this walker, making it superb value for money too.'

Read more: Babymoov 5-in-1 Progessive Walker review

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Best ride-on baby walker

Tested by: Pippa Elmes, mum to Lara Elmes, 18 months.

Our baby gear expert says: This is a strong little wooden walker and ride-on toy made of solid wood with cute additional features including a shape sorter, space to hide things in underneath, and spinning picture blocks.

Our tester, Pippa, says: 'This is by far the most robust walker I’ve seen and it's great for a little one starting to toddle – I’d have been much more confident using this rather than the walker we had when my daughter was little, as this seems less likely to roll away, leaving her flat on her face.'

The shape sorter was an immediate hit – being low on the side makes for a different shape sorting angle than most top-down sorter toys, which adds to the challenge, according to Pippa. 'The two different heights for pushing/holding when riding is a great design idea too,' she says.

Verdict: This is a great walker and a great idea to transition to a ride-on. 'My little one always wants to ride things ‘backward’ and this works as a ride-on in either direction,' concludes Pippa. 'However, its weightiness made it harder for her to heft it around corners.' 

'It took 20-25 mins to build as it needs proper screwing together but it does make for a really solid toy as a result. It feels as though it will last us a really long time and could be passed on to younger friends or family members.'

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Best walker for boosting confidence

Tested by: Tess Watkins, mum to Isla, aged ten months.

Our baby gear expert says: 'The Little Tikes Fantastic Firsts 3-in-1 Activity Walker has an engaging activity centre that's designed to help develop curious minds and it's the perfect walker for encouraging little ones to take their first steps as it projects colourful lights onto the floor, motivating them to keep moving. It also folds down flat for floor-time fun and easy storage.'

Our tester, Tess, says: 'This is the best walker we've tried – it's so simple to put together as it all snaps into place, taking us about ten minutes to assemble in total, and it’s super easy to use – we loved it.' 

Tess particularly loves the light projector; she says it truly works to encourage first steps but also adds excitement and fun for babies. 'The activity centre is amazing; my daughter was still discovering new features days after it arrived, from piano keys which illuminate different colours to a spinning drum that features the alphabet,' adds Tess.

Verdict: Another huge plus is that this works as a standing toy and can be stored away easily if you're short on space. 'It’s also much sturdier than other walkers – in particular, the speed-restrictive wheels stopped it from getting away from Isla too much,' adds Tess. 'Most importantly, this walker toy kept Isla entertained for ages while encouraging her development. She gets so excited to see the lights illuminate and the music play when she takes a few steps. This walker has truly helped to build up her confidence when it comes to standing and it’s been amazing to watch her mobility develop.'

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Most robust baby walker

Tested by: Becky Barclay, mum to Charlie,14 months

Our baby gear expert says: Play value is maximised on every inch, with interactive moving parts to entertain and educate your little one. There's a shape sorter on the front, numbered tiles to spin around, colours to find, and even a chalkboard. We think it's guaranteed to provide hours of fun for babies and toddlers.

Our tester, Becky, says: 'Even Charlie's older brothers, aged seven and five, thought this walker looked exciting – I had to stop them from diving straight into the box when it arrived!' She found screwing it together a little fiddly, with minimal instructions and some concentration required to get the pieces the right way round and lined up. 'I was glad I'd chosen nap time to put it together or there might have been tears, but it's definitely worth the effort to assemble – it's sturdy and heavy enough not to tip, and you can tell it will withstand years of play,' Becky adds. 

Verdict: I've even pulled the walker alongside us during nappy changes – which have become rather wriggly recently – so Charlie can spin the numbered tiles as a distraction. He'll also push it the length of the room, and its rubber-covered wheels suit hard floors, making it both safe and quiet. It's too heavy for Charlie to turn on his own, but the play value of this toy is not only as a walker – it's an entire entertainment station.'

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Best baby walker for motor skills

Tested by: Grace Holliday and her 11-month-old daughter.

Our baby gear expert says: Colourful, attractive and classic in its design, the Rainbow Cloud Walker is a well-made wooden walker. It's not as hi-tech as other walkers, but it will help develop babies' fine motor skills as well as their walking. Finding a visually appealing toy that's also engaging for babies and young children isn't always easy but the Rainbow Cloud Walker nails it.

Our tester, Grace, says: 'My 11-month-old daughter beamed the first time she saw it. She was still finding her confidence in walking, so she sat down and got to work, lifting out every single block, one by one.' 

Grace particularly liked the narrow sizing of the walker. 'Those with less space or narrower hallways and doorways at home needn’t worry about trapped fingers or scuffed paintwork,' she explains. The walker holds 45 multi-coloured blocks of varying shapes and sizes. 'It's fantastic for her motor skills, the variety of colours means it keeps her engaged, and the different shapes are great for her development too,' Grace added. 'She enjoys knocking them together, offering them to me, and of course, putting them in her mouth, which I can let her do, thanks to the non-toxic paint. I built a few towers for her, which she gleefully knocked down. I know in time she'll love building towers - and I'll do my best not to get my revenge!'.

Verdict: A quality, wooden product comes at a price but this is well worth the money if your budget allows. 'It's dual use, as both a walker and a toy, thanks to the building blocks,' she said. 'Overall, I would definitely recommend this walker; as long as you aren't after something that is going to stay utterly pristine, it should tick all, if not most, of your boxes.'

Read our Rainbow Cloud Walker review

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Best musical baby walker

Tesed by: Becky Barclay, mum to Charlie, 14 months.

Our baby gear expert says: This walker demonstrates what Fisher-Price does really well: bright, fun, good-quality plastic toys which last. It's designed to grow with your baby from sitting up through to first steps, and it doubles as an entertainment centre as well as a walker.

Our tester, Becky, says: 'As soon as the box was open, Charlie was attracted by the bright colours of this walker and crawled over to investigate – thankfully assembly took just a few minutes, with easy-to-follow instructions and large parts to click together.' 

You’ll need a screwdriver to take off the battery cover, and two AA batteries which aren't included, so don’t forget those. The zebra’s friendly smile, flashing buttons and catchy tunes immediately won over our tester's son, who was keen to explore the different activities designed to support fine motor skills.

'His favourite is the page, which he can flip over to play a counting song on one side and an alphabet song on the other,' says Becky. 'He also likes pushing the walker around, and while its wide-set wheels make it nice and sturdy, it’s light enough for him to turn corners.'

Verdict: While Charlie’s a fan, Becky says she can’t pretend the zebra’s giggle and chatter don’t grate on her a little. Happily, there’s an easy-to-find off switch. 'Good news if you want a break from the tunes or don’t enjoy being urged, in a sing-song voice, to ‘go for a walk’ when you accidentally nudge it with your foot after bedtime,' adds Becky. 'The walker is good quality and not at all flimsy. It feels like it would survive plenty of rough play, and provide a lot of entertainment for the price.'

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How to choose the best baby walker for you

Before you choose which baby walker to buy, consider these factors:

Your baby's age - Most baby walkers are designed for babies aged six months or older. However, all babies develop at different rates so a good indicator that your little one is ready for a walker toy is when they start using the furniture to pull themselves up to a standing position. Some walkers double as activity tables or sit-and-play units so if you choose one of these types of walker toys, you can expect your baby to enjoy playing with it even if they're not yet ready to use it practicing their steps.

Wooden or plastic - Many plastic baby walker toys have battery-operated features such as games, lights, and sound effects for your baby to explore. Babies love to interact with these elements - but you might get tired of hearing the same sounds endlessly on repeat! 

Wooden walkers don't have these 'noisy' electronic elements but usually have play elements, such as stacking blocks or shape sorters, built into the design. Most baby walkers are brightly coloured to capture a baby's interest but wooden walkers in neutral, muted tones are popular with design-conscious parents.

How much room you've got: Some walkers have a very wide wheelbase which means you need a generous amount of floor space to maoeuvre them around. Your baby may get frustrated if they can't pick up much speed before crashing into a wall or piece of furniture. So if you're short on space, choose one of the walkers that we've highlighted as being practical for that scenario, such as the Rainbow Cloud Walker.

Are baby walkers good for babies?

Before they're ready to walk, babies need lots of tummy time to help strengthen the muscles they'll eventually use for rolling over, crawling, and walking. Once your baby starts pulling up to standing and holding on to the furniture to cruise around the room, a baby walker can be a useful tool to help develop those skills. The best baby walkers help build your baby's confidence, ready to take those important first steps.

Some types of baby walker toys are associated with a risk of injury, however. In particular, your baby shouldn't spend long periods in the type of seated baby walker that encourages standing on their tiptoes. You should never leave your baby unattended in a baby walker and experts recommend not using a baby walker for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time.

What age is best for a baby walker?

This depends on which type of baby walker you choose. Many baby walker toys are suitable for use from six months, but check the age recommendations for the walker you're thinking of buying, to make sure it's safe and appropriate for your baby's age and your child's stage of development.

Having a baby walker among the toys in your baby's playroom or nursery means your little one is likely to gravitate towards it when the time comes for taking those memorable first steps.

How we tested these baby walkers

Our product review testing process is fair, consistent and robust. 

Our Consumer Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of the best baby walkers based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest offering from the market-leading brands - and as a parenting journalist for 15 years and mother of three, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. She also selected products from a broad range of price points so there's a baby walker toy on this list to suit every budget. 

Next, we called on our pool of parent testers and assigned each of them a baby walker to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least a month. 

After this, they gave each product a rating out of five for overall performance. We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, functionality (how easy is it to assemble and use), portability (how easy is it to carry around the house and how compact when stored), and value for money.

If all that walking is getting a bit tiring, why not check out our round-up of the best pushchairs and best baby carriers. If you’re after other baby kit for your home, we’ve also got a guide to the best high chairs and the best baby food makers to make weaning that little bit more easier.

Comfy, easy to put together and packed full of style, the best cot beds keep your baby snug, safe and (hopefully) sleeping easily. 

Any new parent will know, there are hundreds of baby must-haves to consider. From the best newborn prams and the best sleepsuits to the best baby monitors and the best Moses baskets. And choosing between the best bed for your little one joins this list. 

First up: you might be wondering what’s the difference between the best bedside cribs and the best cot beds. Well, the former can only be used up until your baby can sit up or raise themselves up onto their hands and knees. Whereas, a cot bed lasts longer than a traditional cot which needs to be replaced with a bed once your child is around two or three years old. That’s because, as its name suggests, a cot bed converts to a first toddler bed once your baby is ready to leave the bars behind.

In today’s market, there is a never-ending amount of cot beds to choose from. Some come with clever under-the-bed storage where you can stash bedding or nighttime essentials, like nappies. While others come with an adjustable base to prevent your baby from climbing out. Then comes the overall style of the sleep solution. 

Using our more than 20 years' of knowledge in the industry, we've compiled a list of the best cot beds you can buy in 2024. So keep scrolling to find out our pick of the best tried and tested cot beds, all suitable from birth. 

The quick list

In a hurry to find the best cot bed? Here's a quick overview or you can scroll further down the page for more in-depth tried-and-tested reviews.

Best cot bed 2024 — tried and tested by parents 

Best cot bed overall

Tested by: Donna and her seven-month-old Daisy.

Our baby gear expert says: Suitable from birth to four years old, the Little Wren Cot Bed from the Great Little Trading Company is built from solid pine with a white painted finish. It has three mattress height settings, so you can lower the base as your baby gets older. This makes it easy to reach your newborn but also guards against an adventurous toddler from climbing out. The cot has fixed side panels and converts to a first bed, with a toddler rail included. The recommended mattress is sold separately (£125).

This is a timeless, stylish, and robust cot bed. It will look beautiful in any nursery, according to our tester Donna, who is mum to seven-month-old Daisy.

Our tester, Donna, says: "There is a real sense of class about it. It oozes quality and you can tell it will last many years." Donna found the instructions easy to follow when it came to assembling the cot bed. "I put it together on my own during one of Daisy’s shorter naps," she says. "After putting the base too low to start with, I had practice changing the height. It was really straightforward to adjust."

To convert the cot into a toddler bed, you simply remove one of the cot’s side panels and attach the toddler rail supplied. Under-cot storage drawers and a range of matching furniture are available to buy separately if you like the coordinated look.

Verdict: “The stand-out feature of this cot is how robust it is,” says Donna. “It's sturdy but light enough to move around when I'm changing Daisy’s cot sheets. And it really is beautiful to look at.” What more could your little sleeper need?

Read more: Great Little Trading Company Little Wren Cotbed review

Best premium cot bed

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Tested by: Gemma who is mum to Boden, 13 months.

Our baby gear expert says: This is a sturdy and stylish cot bed with three adjustable heights so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. Eventually, you can remove the bars altogether to create a bench-style bed. Our tester Gemma built the cot bed in an hour and found the instructions easy to follow. "The Willox Adjustable Cot Bed is available in two colours – off-white or green – and we opted for green as it looked very unique," she explains.

Our tester, Gemma, says: "I was curious to see the colour in real-life as colours can look different online but I wasn't disappointed. It's a beautiful shade of green. Previously, I had only ever considered a traditional white cot bed but this has totally changed my mind. And even though it's described as vintage, it's a stunning, stylish piece that would look great in a modern nursery."

At bedtime, the cot bed easily stood up to the ‘trampoline test’ inflicted on it by our little tester. "Like many other little ones, Boden loves to hold onto the frame and bounce up and down," says Gemma. "He also uses the bars to pull himself up to a standing position, so the frame takes a lot of his weight. From an online description or photo, you can't always judge how robust baby furniture will be, but the Willox seems very sturdy and well made."

Verdict: Overall, Gemma was wowed by this cot. "Boden seemed very happy and content in it – he drifted off easily and slept well," she says. "The cot is a beautiful, unique addition to our nursery. The only problem is that now we're tempted to buy all the matching furniture!"

Read more: La Redoute Willox Adjustable Cot Bed review

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Best for longevity

Tested by: Kate and her son, Blake, aged six months.

Our baby gear expert says: The SnüzKot Skandi Cot Bed is an elegant cot bed available in 16 different designs and an array of different colours. Longevity is its standout feature, as it can be used from birth up to age four, or until your child is 10 years old if you buy the extension kit (sold separately). The cot has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your little one grows.

Our tester, Kate, says: "It took a while to assemble, but it was worth the effort. It took two of us about 90 minutes to put together but now it's assembled, it goes really well in our nursery and looks amazing. 

"We're really happy with it. My baby seems to like sleeping in it. I feel she's really safe as it's so sturdy. The recommended mattress (£150) is an expensive additional expense but it is very good quality." Although this is a fairly expensive cot bed, our tester thinks it compares well with other similar designs. "It's significantly less expensive than many other similar Scandi-inspired cots, but the fact that it can be used up to age four (or even ten) makes it a true investment piece," she says.

Verdict: The finish on the wood wasn't flawless, according to Kate, but that's likely due to the fact that it's made from natural beech wood with no MDF or veneer.

 The assembled cot looks "really beautiful" and Kate feels it looks more expensive than it is. "This is the ideal cot bed for anyone who loves stylishly designed products - if you can cope with it being a little fiddly to assemble," she says.

 "And if you're looking for a contemporary cot bed that's the perfect balance of aesthetics and long-lasting functionality, this is it."

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Best quality

Tested by: Michelle and her son Finn 

Our baby gear expert says: Classic in its design, kitted out with a smart panelled look and painted in a timeless matt cream, we named the Nostalgia Cot bed as the best pick for build quality. And it's all thanks to the quality of the solid, sturdy wood materials used. 

Like many of the other cot beds in this guide, this nursery addition can be used from newborn to toddlerhood — but this cot will take sleepers right up until the age of four. To do so, you'll just have to adjust the height levels for your baby's safety and comfort and then, when they're ready, adapt into a cot bed for your toddler. 

Our tester, Michelle, says: "I would recommend the cot bed to friends who have boisterous toddlers this is a safe and sturdy cot that is immovable by toddlers who might grab the sides and try to rock it."

Another plus point was the assembly process. "It came with a bespoke Allen key which was really handy for the trickier-to-reach corner screws," Michelle explains. With clear instructions and a simple build, the cot was built in just twelve minutes. "I like that the slats for the mattress are fixed, that gives it a quality feel and it wasn't fiddly to line them up or secure them in place," she adds. 

However, our tester found one fault with this product and that's the extensive packaging. "The cot arrived in two tall and heavy cardboard boxes which had everything we needed to build the item," Michelle told us. 

Verdict: "The cot bed is sturdy and feels solid which is comforting to know that there is no way my toddler could tip it or rock it," Michelle says. "We were impressed by the overall finish." It comes with a £650 RRP, so it's an expensive addition to any nursery. But this is a price our tester thought was 'good value for money' when you factor in the years that it will be in use for. "Knowing it could take your baby from newborn to four years old makes it an investment piece of nursery furniture that can evolve with your family needs," she says. "Overall it is so smart and elegant to look at and I was excited for my son to get cosy and comfortable in his new bed," Michelle adds. 

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Best Budget

Tested by: Emma and her one-year-old son Charlie.

Our baby gear expert says: This simple but stylish solid pine cot bed is suitable from birth to three years. It comes with a mattress included and has an in-built storage drawer. In terms of value for money, this is one of the best cot beds you could buy.

Our tester wasn't expecting this to be a premium product. However, she was pleasantly surprised when she put it to the test with her one-year-old son, Charlie. 

Our tester, Emma, says: "The quality was beyond what I expected for the price," she says. "It's a lovely, simple design that looks great in my son's room."

The cot bed was easy to assemble, although the instructions are a little complicated. However, adjusting the base height and converting the cot to a toddler bed is very straightforward.

But the large storage drawer and adjustable base are what make this one of the best cot beds if you're on a budget. "A storage drawer is a feature I'd expect on a premium cot bed, not a budget model – it's so useful and helps make a busy toddler's mess a bit more manageable," she says. "I felt confident loading it with blankets, toys and all sorts of things I want hide neatly out of sight. I really like that there's an extra base panel for when the mattress position is higher, too. This keeps the contents of the drawer covered, so the sleek, minimal design isn't spoiled."

Emma found the cot rattled when her toddler shook the sides. The finish is also a little less luxurious than other cots – something we'd expect, given that this cot bed costs less than £150. "The screws that hold the bed together are visible on the edges of the wood, which detracts a little from the overall minimal, stylish look," she says. "The edge of the toddler bed guard also seems a little sharp on the corners."

Verdict: That said, if you're buying a cot bed on a budget and want more than the basics in terms of style and design without spending more, this is definitely one of the best cot beds for you.

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Best for assembly

Tested by: Annie and her 12-week-old Leo.

Our baby gear expert says: Mamas & Papas Franklin Cot Bed is available in white or grey. It has an under-bed storage drawer to help stash away bedding and a handy hanging rail for storing muslins or blankets. It's suitable from birth to four years, and the adjustable base has two height positions. Teething rails are included.

Our tester, Annie, says: "My first impressions were that it looked very stylish and the drawer would come in very handy. The whole process from delivery to assembly couldn't have been easier. This is a beautiful, stylish cot bed that will save you money and a lot of hassle in the long run."

Happily, putting the cot together was a doddle. "We've put together many many flat packs in the past, but none of those compares to how easy this was to assemble," Annie says. "The instructions were so easy to read and every element was labelled alphabetically, making it foolproof - even for those who've never put together flat-pack furniture!"

Our tester's favourite feature is the storage drawer. "This may seem like a minor detail, but when you have limited storage space in your home, a drawer beneath the cot is a major help. I keep bed sheets, blankets, swaddles and towels in it."

Verdict: Overall, Annie feels this is a classy and well-made cot bed. "At first glance, this seems a bit pricey, especially if you're on a budget," she says. "But you can see the quality and craftsmanship the moment you look at it. It's a real statement piece. I haven't stopped talking about it or taking photos of it. I am genuinely so happy with this cot bed and would recommend it to anyone."

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Best budget buy

Tested by: Gabrielle and her daughter Milla, aged two.

Our baby gear expert says: The Midi Cot Bed from Mokee impressed us with its longevity – it's suitable from birth up to age five. Highly affordable, it comes in four colours with lots of matching accessories available to buy separately. That's handy if you're kitting out a nursery and want to coordinate your look to match your cot. It's made from high-quality beechwood with a removable panel to transform the cot into a toddler bed. It also has an impressive range of mattress base positions (seven in total), depending on the age and size of your baby.

Our tester, Gabrielle, says:  "The open, slatted design makes it easy to check on your sleeping child, and the mattress seems very good quality and comfortable. We tested this as a toddler bed by removing the panel, and our daughter took to it really well. I think she likes the feeling of being in a cot whilst having the accessibility of a bed. She's now had six nights' undisturbed sleep, which is a miracle!"

There are times when a budget buy can be a false economy. There's little point in buying a cheaper model if you'll only end up replacing it because it doesn't stand the test of time. But that's not an issue with this cot bed. Whether you're kitting out the nursery on a budget or just don't want to spend over the odds on the cot, this is the ideal cot bed solution for saving money.

Verdict: When it comes to value for money, Gabrielle was particularly impressed with this cot bed. "It combines affordability with style and safety, which is obviously so important with baby products. It's excellent value for money but it looks great in our baby's room," she told us. 

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Best cot with wheels

Tested by: Jill who is mum to Grace, aged six months.

Our baby gear expert says: The Oasis Oval Cot by Boori is a distinctive, curved cot bed made from sustainable solid wood. It has two base heights; a high setting for babies and a lower level for pre-toddlers. It converts easily from a cot to a stylish toddler bed or sofa. Unlike any of the other cot beds we tested, this has lockable castors. This means it's easy to move between rooms. Alternatively, you can position it close to your bed at night instead of using a Moses basket or bedside crib.

Our tester, Jill, says she found the cot "exceedingly easy" to put together. "That's a real bonus for a time-stretched parent," she says. The oval design was a particular hit. "When Grace rolls around in the cot, she doesn't get stuck in a corner as she might in a rectangular cot," she says.

"The shape also means the cot bed can take centre stage in a child's bedroom, rather than being shoved up against a wall. It's also smaller than many cots, so it's good for a smaller nursery. Also, the fact that it's suitable from birth is a huge selling point. Since it's so compact, it doesn't feel too overbearing next to the bed. This means you could realistically use it instead of a bedside crib."

Another advantage of the size and shape of this cot is the fact that it fits through standard door frames. This means it's super easy to move into a nursery or toddler bedroom when the time comes for your little one to sleep in their own room.

And when your child becomes a toddler, one end can be removed and you can add a foot bar so the child can climb in and out. Later on, you'll also have the option of removing the side to turn the bed into a child's sofa. "I am a little nervous that entry via the foot of the bed may be slightly bizarre for a toddler," says Jill. "Also, it may be tricky when she needs to get out of bed quickly. However, it's great that you don't have to worry about little ones falling out of bed, or buy a separate bed guard."

Verdict: Thanks to its compact design, this Oasis Oval Cot by Boori is a great fit for those short on space and love the look of something a bit different. It will also suit little sleepers who tend to move around in their sleep, as the oval design means they won't get 'stuck'. 

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Best for small rooms

Tested by: Catherine and her son Robin, aged 19 months.

Our baby gear expert says: This 'mini' model is smaller than standard cot beds, so it's ideal for smaller bedrooms. It's also a good choice if you're looking for a neutral cot bed that will look good alongside existing nursery decor or furniture.

The Coleby Mini Cotbed is designed for use up to around four years of age. It has three mattress positions, meaning you can lower the base to prevent your little one from climbing out. When it's time to move on from a cot, it's easy to convert to a toddler bed. For extra storage, an under drawer is sold separately. A cot top changer is also available in the same range.

Our tester, Catherine liked the compact design and neutral colour. In addition, she found it easy to assemble. 

Our tester, Catherine, says: "It's a sleek and stylish cot bed that would look good in any nursery. It's also narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway without needing to be taken apart and reassembled. That means it's handy if you plan to move it into another bedroom in future.

"However, one of the screw holes hadn't been drilled all the way through and the paint finish was a little patchy in places, but I had this assembled by myself in less than 50 minutes."

If you're looking for a cot bed that's robust enough to suit an energetic toddler, this is one of the best cot beds you could go for. "It feels very solid and well built, with very little 'give' in the structure," says Catherine. "My 'wriggle bum toddler puts it through its paces by thrashing about at night and trying to wobble the sides when he wakes up. So far, it has coped with everything he's thrown at it."

Verdict: Overall, this is a good choice if you have a small nursery or bedroom. It's impressively sturdy and built to last, yet super affordable.

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10. Best sleigh bed design

Tested by: Vicky and her six-month-old baby, Alicia.

Our baby gear expert says: The Snowdon is a sleigh bed in style, but it doesn't have the bulky, chunky feel that you usually get from this type of cot bed. Instead, it has a slim, streamlined aesthetic but it doesn't skimp on space-saving storage which is neatly tucked away under the bed with a wheel-out storage drawer. 

This cot bed is also easy to assemble and it has a bed base that's adjustable through three different settings as your child grows.

Our tester, Vicky, says: "The Snowdon is a sleigh bed that doesn't take up the entire room. And it's great that it adapts to become a toddler bed, so we'll get years of use out of it. 

"My son has just turned three and is still in the bed part of his old cot, so a cot bed is a good investment for several years. I also really like the look of the Snowdon Classic when it's set up as a toddler bed."

The under-bed storage drawer also makes it a good option if you're battling with a smaller space. "Babies need so much stuff that you end up having to pack things under their cot," our tester says. "Having the drawer means you can put it away neatly and roll it back out for access, rather than scrabbling around under the cot to find things stored there."

While the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Cotbed is on the pricier side, its value comes in the years of use you'll get from it. "It's not cheap," says Vicky. "But it has a simple, stylish design, and the storage drawer is genuinely useful, particularly if you need a cot bed for a small nursery."

Verdict: The higher price point wouldn't put Vicky off from recommending it to friends: "It's stylish but not too bulky, and overall it looks and feels of good quality. It will last for years so it's good value." 

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11. Best Scandi style

Tested by: Charlie and her 13 month old, Seb.

Our baby gear expert says: Stokke is a premium brand for children's products such as high chairs and nursery equipment and the Stokke Sleepi Cot Bed is another great example of this quality-led Scandi business. 

Made from 100% beech wood and coming with a smooth oval finish, this is a premium product. Stokke produces the 'Mini' cot, which is suitable from birth. The Sleepi is the next size up, and is suitable for children up to five years old. Our tester particularly liked the look of this cot bed and also the way it can 'grow' with the child - as the side can be removed to turn it into a toddler bed.

Our tester, Charlie, says: "Once put together, the design was very stylish — the natural colourway looked great in Seb's room, and I think it would work well with most nursery palettes. The quality of the mattress felt really good - it was firm, and even withstood a few bouncing sessions from Seb!".

"The quality of the wood was also really good - again, with a toddler who has a tendency to chew on things, it retained its freshness while we were reviewing it and didn't come away with too many scratches and dents."

Verdict: This is perfect for someone who is happy to spend a little bit more on a premium product that's stylish and a long-term investment. "I have - friends who are expecting I've suggested getting the Mini and then expanding it to the Sleepi so that they have a product that'll last their little one for years and they're not spending out on multiple cots like many of us do," Charlie says. "It's more expensive than some other cots but lasts a long time and is really good quality."

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12. Best for storage

Tested by: Grace and her 11 month old daughter. 

Our baby gear expert says: It's important to note that this cot bed is very large in size. So if you have a small nursery, this might not be the best cot bed for you. Size aside,  this roomy cot bed has an impressive (and traditional) sleigh design. We love the fact that it comes with plenty of great extras like a gigantic storage drawer, a teething rail and three adjustable heights. This means it grows with your child up to the age of four.

Our tester, Grace, says: "We knew the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cot Bed was going to be generously sized by looking at the measurements online before its arrival, but we were still surprised to see it arrived in three separate, and very large, boxes."

Despite its bulky size, Grace found the cot bed easy to assemble. "All the pieces were well packaged, with no damage or dents. It took us about ten minutes to unpack everything, and take all the empty boxes outside," she said. 

"It only took 20-30 minutes to put together, as each side piece and base can be reassembled. There were no slats to put into place ourselves. Everything we needed, aside from a screwdriver, was in the box, including an Allen key. The drawer was also easy to put together."

Grace liked the subtle teething rail - essential when little ones start gnawing on everything in sight. "On this top bar comes a plastic rail, which was already attached, and is especially made to be safe for baby or child to chew on while they're teething. This means that their teeth are protected, and the wood of the cot is protected too!" 

Verdict: It's worth noting that, while you get everything you need with this large cot, you don't need it all at the same time and there will be parts that you'll have to store away.  

Therefore, due to its relatively large size, it would be better for someone who has a larger nursery and plenty of space. Grace thought that the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed would also suit 'someone who is looking for a long-lasting cotbed that doesn't scrimp on appearance or bonus features.'

• Read more: Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cot Bed Review 

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5 things to consider before buying a cot bed

1. A cot bed saves you money
The benefit of a cot bed is obvious; it converts from a cot to a bed. This means you won't need to buy a toddler bed when your baby outgrows the cot and is ready to start sleeping in a big bed. In other words, you'll save money. And who doesn't like doing that?!

2. A cot bed helps your child cope with change
But the other advantage of a cot bed is that it can help your little one to make the transition from sleeping in a cot to moving into a bed. It's a big change for a little one, and the familiarity of going to sleep in the same piece of furniture can help to smooth this important transition.

3. Check the cot bed dimensions before you buy
Before you decide which is the best cot bed, remember that your baby should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months of life. That means it's important to check the dimensions of the cot bed to ensure it will fit in your bedroom if you plan to use if from birth. Some cot beds are bulkier than others so if you're short on space in your room, choose one of the more compact models. Alternatively, you could use a Moses basket beside your bed for the first six months and then move your baby into a cot bed in the nursery.

4. Don't forget to think about the visuals
It's easy to get caught up in the spec or the safety features when you're shopping for the best cot bed but don't forget to consider the design and style of your baby's room. Since a cot bed will be in use for longer than a standard cot, choose one that will suit the look and feel of your little one's first bedroom.

5. Location, location, location
Also, think about where you plan to position your baby's cot or toddler's cot bed. A cot or cot bed should be kept well away from radiators to reduce the risk of your baby overheating. Never place a cot near windows or looped window blind cords either if you have them, as these are a safety risk.

How to choose the best cot bed

There are three factors to take into consideration when deciding which is the best cot bed for you:

• Price - Work out your budget, taking into account that you won't need to fork out for a toddler bed at a later date if you choose a cot bed.
• Size - Measure the space where you'll be using the cot. The safest place for your baby to sleep during the first six months is in a bed of their own in same room as you, but after six months your baby can sleep in a cot in a room of their own. Don't forget to check it fits both rooms!
• Functionality - Decide which features are essentials and which you can live without. A storage drawer is handy for keeping spare bedding, nappies and sleepsuits, especially if you're short on storage space, but think carefully about this is an important design feature that you're willing to pay more for. 

Cot bed safety

• Cot bars: These should be vertical, with a distance of no more than 6.5cm between the bars. This is to ensure your baby's limbs don't get stuck between the bars.
• Depth and space: The distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the cot sides should be at least 50cm, to help prevent your baby from climbing out of the cot.
• Circulation: Some experts recommend cots with four sides that have bars (instead of just two and two enclosed sides) to allow air to circulate freely around your baby.

Not only does the cotbed need to comply with a variety of rules and regulations; the mattress does too.

• New is best: Buying a new mattress is strongly recommended. It must be clean, dry, free from cracks and tears with no sagging.
• Firm: Choose a firm mattress rather than a soft one, and make sure it's no thinner than 8cm.
• Size matters: There are two sizes of cot mattresses – standard and continental. Check which one will fit the cotbed you choose.
• Hygiene: It’s a good idea to choose a mattress with a removable, machine-washable cover. We hate to mention it, but nappies sometimes leak! A mattress protector is also a good idea for the same reason.

Our review process

Our Deputy Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of cot beds based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest offering from the market-leading brands - and as a mum of three and a parenting journalist for 15 years, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. 

Next, she selected the final product line-up from a broad range of price points to ensure there's a best cot bed recommendation here to suit all budgets. Then, we called on our pool of reliable parent testers and assigned them each a cot bed to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least two weeks but often much longer.

After this, our parent testers gave each product a rating out of five for overall performance. We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, functionality, sturdiness, value for money, and how easy each cot bed was to assemble and convert to a toddler bed. We used all of this feedback to create this best cot bed buying guide and the accompanying in-depth product reviews.

Read more about how we test to see why you can rely on our guidance. 

Once you've settled on the best cot bed, take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress. If you're not convinced a cot bed is right for you, read about the best Moses baskets and the best bedside cribs instead. And to prep for some seriously sound sleeping, check out the best baby monitors and the best baby sleeping bags.

The best babywearing coats are multi-tasking wardrobe buys designed to keep you, your bump and your baby cosy, no matter the weather.

Babywearing coats come in a variety of lengths, colours, fabrics and styles, and solve the sartorial dilemma of how to keep warm while babywearing in the colder months, and on wet, windy days.

The best babywearing coats will also help keep your baby comfortable, toasty and dry when you’re babywearing. (As anyone who’s ever gotten drenched when out and about with their baby in a carrier will tell you, this is a very good thing.)

Babywearing coats are designed to be adaptable and adjustable. Plus, they come in timeless, classic silhouettes that won’t go out of style, so these wardrobe buys translate into “everyday outerwear” long after the pregnancy and babywearing stages have come and gone.

Babywearing allows parents to go hands-free when out and about, and researchers suggest babywearing may have myriad additional benefits – both physical and emotional – for parents and their little ones.

Babywearing coats and jackets accommodate a body’s changes through pregnancy. Many feature adjustable details like drawstring ties and empire waists to fit comfortably over a growing bump. Thanks to a detachable kangaroo panel which provides warmth and waterproofing for your baby, babywearing coats then shift easily from maternity staple to postpartum essential.

Some babywearing coats will accommodate front as well as back-wearing – suitable for older babies – and they’re roomy enough to fit over slings and wraps, as well as carriers.

As your child grows out of the babywearing stage, the coat becomes everyday outerwear, keeping you cosy as you chase your toddler around the playground. Pretty nifty, huh?

Best babywearing coats 2024: quick list

Babywearing coats may be versatile when it comes to seeing you through the maternity days, newborn months, and well beyond. But with prices typically ranging from £150-£250, they’re still an investment piece, available from brands including Seraphine and Wombat & Co. Consider your personal style and weather needs when choosing the right babywearing coat for you.

Babywearing coats can be winter-warmers in padded down, parka and puffer styles, or shorter teddy jackets, fleeces and hoodies designed to fit over baby carriers. For spring and autumn, or to keep you and little one dry on wet days, lightweight shells and babywearing trench coats are also available. Something to keep in mind: babywearing coats DON’T include baby carriers, which will need to be purchased separately. (Check out our top picks of best baby carriers 2024 for inspo.)

Here’s what our reviewer, Goodto editor in chief, Anna Bailey, and her 18-month-old daughter, Freddie, thought about the comfort, ease and practicality of the best babywearing coats of 2024 …

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The best babywearing coats we recommend in 2024

The best babywearing coat overall

Our baby gear expert says: Wombat & Co is a dedicated babywearing coat specialist brand, with six babywearing coat styles to choose from, including a version designed for babywearing dads.

The Kowari wins points for versatility, since it effectively gives the wearer two jackets in one, which allows for multiple styling options. (And yes, each coat comes with its own detachable baby carrier extension panel.)

Anna says: “This coat is amazing – and incredibly well designed. It’s like a group of mums wrote out a dream wishlist for a maternity and babywearing coat and this is the result – Wombat have thought of everything. All of the coats on this list have their benefits, but this one pretty much covers them all. There’s very little to compromise on.”

The 3-in-1 wind-resistant and water-repellent design can be used for maternity, baby-wearing, and afterwards, allowing new parents to wear their baby at the front, or a toddler on the back.

Featuring a padded outer layer and a detachable thinner one inside, the coats can be worn separately or buttoned together, depending on the season and temperature. (There’s a detachable hood, too.)

The lightweight coat features a high-quality lining, zipped-up inside pocket and toggles, so you can loosen or cinch the sides to accommodate a growing/shrinking bump and growing baby.

The outer padded coat is “like a body warmer with long arms,” Anna notes. It offers a cosy, snug fit, closures around the wrist to help keep out drafts and zipped pockets.

“I’ve been wearing this in spring, and the weather has been so unpredictable. It’s really come in handy a few times when I’ve been caught in the rain. I’ve actually ended up wearing the inner one on the outside – it feels like there are so many combinations. I’ve never heard of a more versatile coat before,” Anna says.

Verdict: Though the price point may be this coat’s biggest downside, if you’re looking for style, comfort, quality and longevity, this coat ticks all the boxes and makes a brilliant investment piece for anyone expecting their first baby. (Or the parent having number two or three, who wishes they’d had something this useful the first time around.)

It’s a high-quality piece that will last for years, and the best part is, you don’t even need to be pregnant or babywearing to enjoy its benefits.

As Anna points out: “Without the extra panels you’d never know it was a maternity coat. I’m really impressed.”

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The best luxury babywearing coat

Our baby gear expert says: Seraphine is a go-to brand for high-quality maternity wear that makes a person feel chic (yes, even at nine months’ pregnant) and like a proper, “grown-up mum.” The retailer has several fashion-forward babywearing coat designs to suit a range of tastes, which work across the seasons.

Anna says: "This feather and down padded coat is just 'like wearing a big hug'. Puffy but not too long or overwhelming, and fitted quite closely to the body." In particular, Anna was impressed by the well-hidden, fitted side panels and zippers, which allow you to widen the coat and make room for your growing child.

“This was perfect for carrying Freddie; she was a late walker and I’ve carried her in this on holiday along the beach at 18 months old, and we had plenty of room," she added.

Seraphine is always good at adding luxe touches that make all the difference.

See: two, generous, fleece-lined side pockets to keep mum’s hands warm. The fleece-lined kangaroo pouch for baby (“Freddie definitely seemed to sink a bit cosier into this coat than the others. Having the slightly shorter length made it easier to work around her and zip up the coat at the bottom,” Anna explains). The high neck and modest (removable) hood. An additional button over the front zip for added wind-resistance.

Verdict: At £209, this is another spenny option, but one you’d never know was a maternity coat. Thanks to its timeless mid-thigh length puffer style and dark colour, it won’t go out of fashion or look too worn out, even after seasons of wear. This coat can easily transition from maternity to carrying jacket to “normal” puffer jacket for years to come. Bonus: for first orders, Seraphine offers a 10% discount via their website.

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The best budget babywearing coat

Our baby gear expert says: Weighing only 500g, Wombat & Co’s Numbat Go is an ultra-light babywearing coat that comes in a range of muted, bright and neutral colours (from pale pink and mint green to bright yellow, navy and black).

The fabric is breathable – great for keeping babywearing parents from feeling overheated – and it’s a particularly useful piece of kit in those pesky transitional weather months when you’re always adding or shedding layers.

Do avoid serious showers in this one – the outer fabric is “water-repellent” as opposed to completely “waterproof.”

Anna says: “This coat is genius. The perfect option if you’re looking for something lightweight, that you can fold away and carry for unexpected showers or a drop in temperature. I’ve kept mine in the base of our buggy, it takes up very little room – and I’ve felt very smug about having it there in times of need.”

A great option for travel, this clever piece of kit will see the wearer through pregnancy, babywearing, beyond… and bonus, it has a detachable strap so it can be folded into a shoulder bag. We’re seriously impressed.

Other highlights include zips at the front and back for carrying on either side – though Anna points out that getting Freddie onto her back was a two-person job. The lack of padding in this babywearing coat made soothing the baby, while babywearing, a breeze.

Verdict: “I’ve loved carrying Freddie while wearing this, and found it a bit easier to comfort her – as the material is so light, it’s been easier to pat her back and stroke her without so much padding between us,” says Anna.

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The best babywearing coat for length

Our baby gear expert says: High street favourites like River Island and H&M also have babywearing styles available, like this snazzy hooded puffer from River Island which gives off designer vibes with its luxe details like a cinched waist belt, velvety high-neck collar, gold-tone hardware and detachable fur trim on the generously-sized hood.

Anna says: “I’ve seen a lot of people wearing this style of coat, but I’ve never really thought it was my kind of look – but, oh my goodness, it’s so unbelievably cosy! Once I tried it on, I didn’t want to take it off. It feels like wearing a sleeping bag, it’s so warm and comfortable.”

Anna praised the coat’s length (even for taller women; she’s 5’9”), high neck, deep pockets with invisible zips and elasticated cuffs – no chance drafts were getting through those. She was able to carry Freddie with ease, and found the style cosy and chic enough to work beautifully as an everyday coat (without the kangaroo panel).

As for its downsides? “With the middle action attached, it does feel quite an overwhelming size – a bit like a tent (although you could say that about a lot of maternity clothes!),” Anna points out. If anyone from the RI design team happens to be reading this, Anna would love to see a version of this style in a matte instead of a shiny finish…

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The best babywearing coat for all year long

Our baby gear expert says: This cotton parka falls squarely in the middle of the Venn diagram of babywearing coats, managing to be both warm and lightweight, so it’s a good choice for warmer as well as colder months.

The neutral khaki hue works with denim or workwear, and the details – faux-leather quilting on the sleeves and pockets, a detachable fur trim – look luxe.

Anna says: “I was very happy to see the extra zips on the front pockets, as I thought these might provide more secure places to store keys – but unfortunately, they’re just for show,” Anna explains.

(Same goes for the buttons on the sleeves.) The zip pulls are also plastic, so don’t feel very secure – and, since the zip on the kangaroo panels curves, it tends to stick, which isn’t ideal when you need to make a speedy exit with a crying baby.

Verdict: “Unfortunately, I don’t think this offers the same level of quality and luxury as other babywearing coats that are on this list at the same price point, or lower,” Anna concludes.

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The best babywearing coat for spring

Our baby gear expert says: Designed to fit women's sizes XS to XL, this cosy jacket features a plush teddy exterior and a soft fleece lining, making it the perfect layer for those days when there's a nip in the air, whether you’re pregnant, carrying your baby, or just out and about. We love that it comes with a neck warmer - and you can buy an extra baby neck warmer too!

Anna says: "This coat also feels very stylish and I love the fabric. It has a teddy material on the outside and soft, fleece lining, making it incredibly cosy. I’m conscious this makes it sound like a winter coat, but I’ve found it perfect for spring mornings and those cold summer nights. It’s a great balance between keeping you warm yet being much more lightweight than a full-on coat - it’s much easier to throw on or carry around when you don’t need it. Another plus is that it’s machine washable. Baby-wearing can be a messy business, so this has been very useful."

On the downside, the fabric isn’t breathable - so Anna recommends thinking carefully about what you wear underneath - lightweight layers are a good idea to avoid overheating. "Also, the cord around the coat is quite long and ended up trailing on the floor a few times while I was adjusting Freddie or was preoccupied with her," Anna adds. "Once I got used to it, I managed to avoid it happening again - but that's something to bear in mind if you’re walking in the mud or through puddles."

Verdict: “The wrap-around design makes it really flexible and easy to adjust, so I was really happy with the fit around my body. I also love how you can pull it in tighter - making it cosier around Freddie on colder and windier days," Anna says.

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What is the best babywearing coat for winter?

In the colder months, babywearing coats with padding, hoods and even additional/removable inner layers can all be useful when it comes to wrapping up warmly.

These babywearing coats often feature extra comfort details, too – fleece-lined pockets and kangaroo panels, for example – as well as cuffed wrists and inner pocket zips to keep you cosy, no matter the weather.

Is it worth getting a babywearing coat?

The perennial question when it comes to investing in maternity and baby gear is “Do I need this… and will it make my life easier if I get it?”

When it comes to babywearing coats, we believe they offer more than initially meets the eye – and more than their names suggest.

Typically, these styles will work throughout nine months of pregnancy, then adapt to the baby-carrying stage. Some designs, like those from Wombat & Co, also allow you to carry your toddler on your back, so that stage lasts even longer. When you’re done babywearing, these coats can be worn as everyday outerwear for as long as you enjoy them.

How to dress when babywearing?

Even on colder days, layering up when babywearing can prove tricky because you’re carrying an infant on you – as Anna says, it can feel like “having a hot water bottle strapped to me at times.”

Babywearing coats help avoid this discomfort and simplify you babywearing wardrobe. Since they’re multitasking pieces, you don’t need to worry about additional winter layers and accessories – most have everything you’ll need right in the coat. Play it by ear depending on the day: detach the hood if it’s not raining or snowing, only wear an inner or outer layer on warmer days, don’t layer up too much underneath a padded parka, etc.

Can a baby wear a coat in a carrier?

While your baby can wear some kind of outerwear — a coat, jacket, or snowsuit, for example — in a baby carrier, keeping them in indoor clothes can minimise the risk of body temperature dysregulation.

This is where babywearing coats come in: kangaroo panels pretty much double as outerwear for your little one.

Depending on which babywearing coat you choose, this can look like a snug winter warmer or a rainproof shell.

As Consumer Editor at GoodtoKnow, I have tested more prams, pushchairs and strollers than I've had hot dinners over the years so I was itching to get my hands on the new Joie Pact Pro stroller. 

Parents know and trust Joie, and it's easy to see why. From the Joie Versatrax - which features in our guide to buying the best pushchair - to the Joie i-Spin 360 - which we named the best one-handed rotating seat in our best car seats buying guide - Joie is a brand that consistently delivers high-quality items of baby gear that don't cost a fortune but do help to make life with little ones easier.

Joie has branched out beyond car seats, prams and pushchairs too, with their portfolio of parent-friendly products including everything from high chairs, swings and bouncers to cots, cribs and baby carriers.

The Joie Pact Pro is the brand's very latest offering in the lightweight and compact travel stroller category and it's one of the best travel strollers we've tested. A petite pushchair package, the Pact Pro was designed to make light work of any journey, no matter whether your passenger is a delicate newborn that needs to lie flat or a toddler straining at the straps to see the world. Lightweight and compact, the Pact Pro is the ideal travel companion if you're planning a family holiday - but it's also robust enough to handle daily life at home.

For this review, GoodtoKnow turned to our parent tester, Holly Upton, to put Joie's newest lightweight stroller to the test with her 19-month-old son, Remy. She used the pushchair daily, for both quick trips to the supermarket and longer walks to parks and playgroups, testing its manoeuvrability on different types of terrain and seeing how easy it was to push, fold and carry in all sorts of everyday situations with a busy toddler. Here’s everything you need to know about how the Joie Pact Pro fared during testing.

Price and availability

The Joie Pact Pro is priced at £200 from Mamas and Papas, and available to purchase directly from Joie at the same price. 

This is a mid-range price for a lightweight pushchair from a reliable, trusted baby gear brand. It's good value for money when you consider that it's one of the lightest strollers you can buy, plus it's impressively compact when folded. 

However, factor in that you'll be spending considerably more if you choose to buy the compatible Joie Ramble carrycot and/or car seat too.

VIEW AT MAMAS & PAPAS

Design and features

Weight: 6.3kg | Age: Birth-approx. 4 years | Price: £200 | Included: Rain cover, carry bag, adapters and bumper bar

The Joie Pact Pro is a 3in1 stroller, meaning you can use it in three different modes: (1) as a forward-facing pushchair, (2) with the Joie Ramble carrycot - brilliant for babies who need to lie flat in a pram until six months - and (3) with selected Joie infant carrier car seats if you want to create a travel system. The carrycot and car seat have to be purchased separately which is an extra expense, but if you just want a light and compact stroller, this is a practical choice. A rain cover and a bag for storing the stroller are included in the price, as are adaptors to hold the car seat or carrycot safely in place on the frame.

For me, the standout feature of the Joie Pact Pro is how remarkably compact it is when folded. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's not much bigger than a large laptop. It's perfect for popping in the car boot but still plenty of space for all the family's luggage, and ideal for stashing neatly out of the way at playgroup or if you don't want a tank of a pushchair taking up space in your hallway.

One of my favourite design features of the Joie Pact Pro is the custom recline button which lets you adjust the backrest from upright to fully flat and everything in between. As any parent knows, the ability to ever-so-gently recline your child's seat when they doze off in the stroller is a game-changer. I've bought myself half an hour's peace in a cafe numerous times by mastering this trick. 

However, some pushchairs make reclining the seat virtually impossible - you either jolt the child awake due to a less-than-smooth design or the process is so noisy not even the heaviest of snoozers could sleep through the racket. Top marks to Joie for making this feature as smooth and quiet as can be.

Another noteworthy feature of the Joie Pact Pro is the adjustable leg rest. This isn't something many parents usually prioritise when shopping for a stroller, especially for a newborn, as it's difficult to imagine your tiny bundle ever being big enough to need a leg rest! 

But babies grow fast and toddlers tend to love getting out of the stroller for short walks, which can lead to little legs getting tired. At that stage, a leg rest can make a huge difference to how comfy the stroller is for little explorers. Even better if it's adjustable so that tired little legs can recover between adventures, even after an overnight growth spurt. 

Well-designed brakes are another design element that parents often overlook when shopping for a stroller but they can make a huge difference to the whole experience of getting out and about with your baby. If you risk breaking a toe every time you want to apply the brake, you're not likely to enjoy using the stroller. 

Efficient brakes are especially important with a lightweight stroller because they tend to tip up more easily than heavier designs. Joie has this covered with the One-touch shoe saver™ braking system which makes it easy to put the stroller into stationary mode and just as easy to get moving again.

For me, the most important design feature of any pram or pushchair is how easy it is to fold. That's especially true with a lightweight stroller because you're more likely to use one for travelling, when it's essential that you can fold it quickly and easily. It's not much help having a light and compact stroller if you end up sweating and having to wrestle it into submission every time you want to fold it.

Joie claims the Pact Pro is so easy to fold that you can do it with one hand so we set out to see if that's true. The press release promised: 'When your hands are full and space is limited, Pact Pro easily collapses into a tiny package to make it easy for you to carry it around or tuck it away into small spaces.'

Is it that easy to fold? Yes and, better still, the Joie Pact Pro is also freestanding when folded. This means you can fold it up and pop it to one side without worrying that it's going to fall on top of a toddler or spring open and bash you on the shin every time you squeeze past it in the hallway. If you're likely to collapse the stroller to pop it in and out of your car boot, then an easy-to-fold design should be top of your list. And if folding it up to store it out of the way between uses appeals to you, a freestanding fold is a dream design feature.

'The stroller is very simple to assemble and fold down and is possible to do this with one hand which is handy when holding a toddler; it is also lightweight to lift and carry, which helps when getting it in and out of the boot,' says our parent tester, Holly.  

'We keep the stroller in the boot of the car, which I found didn’t take up too much space and I could still fit a 'big food shop' amount of shopping bags in the boot alongside the stroller. If you did want to store it in the house, it is compact and could easily fit in an understairs cupboard or even in a narrow hallway – it does stand on its own. I'm not sure how sturdy it would be to stay standing if my toddler started climbing on it though, which he no doubt would!'

We can't mention how easy it is to fold the Pact Pro without also drawing attention to the fact that it comes with a storage bag so it's easy to transport. That's a little extra that you'd normally only get on a much more expensive stroller, and you'd often expect to pay extra for it. Once again, Joie has proven its commitment to making travel hassle-free for families.

How we tested

• Our tester used the Joie Pact Pro both indoors in shops/supermarkets, and also outside when walking in the park and on gravel and grass. 'I found that the wheels coped well regardless of the terrain and it hasn't felt stuck at any point,' she says. 

Things you wouldn’t find on the box

Designers often have to make compromises to produce a very lightweight stroller. That can mean using lighter materials that aren't as robust as heavier alternatives or reducing the size of the seat unit to lighten the load. In particular, manoeuvrability often gets sacrificed because small wheels help to reduce the overall weight but that can mean certain types of terrain are a bit of struggle. 

However, if you're in the market for a lightweight stroller that can also tackle tough terrain, whether that's a cobbled street in Greece or a muddy walk at your local park, the Joie Pact Pro is designed to handle it. The front wheels can be locked in place or set to swivel, so you can get the best out of it by adjusting them to suit different environments as needed. 

Beneath the seat unit, there's a ventilated storage basket which is a genius feature for a travel-friendly stroller. You can pop anything in there from wet clothes after a day at the beach to washable nappies after use, without worrying about the basket getting soggy or smelly. 

While we're on the subject of airflow, I like the inclusion of a peekaboo window in the hood of the pushchair, making it easy to see if your baby has nodded off in the pushchair. 

'In terms of comfort, my son seems to really enjoy sitting in the Joie Pact Pro and I particularly like how straight he can sit when the seat it set to fully upright,' says our tester, Holly. 'With other strollers, he has always wanted to sit more upright than the seat would allow, which would cause the straps to pull on him. He has also taken a nap in the stroller, which reclines to almost fully flat – he fell asleep within a few minutes when reclined which is a big win for us! The hood is a good size and covers most sunlight when pulled all the way down.'

Who is it best for?

The Joie Pact Pro is a brilliant buy for anyone on the hunt for light and compact stroller for holiday use. We love that it's suitable from birth right through to toddlerhood and beyond, and it's also sturdy enough to be suitable for daily use at home.

'Overall, the stroller is smart to look at, looks sleek in design and is really easy to manoeuvre,' adds our tester. 'It is far less bulky than other strollers we’ve had, but still offers the same level of comfort which is a big bonus. 

'We are going on holiday soon and will be using this stroller whilst we are away, which I think will be perfect for travel, however this has also now taken over as our go-to stroller on a day-to-day basis at home too. The basket underneath is a decent size and could easily fit a changing bag, along with a couple of toys and a coat – everything you’d need for a trip out with a little one.' 

Need an alternative?

The Joie Pact Pro is a little less expensive than the RRP of many similar lightweight strollers such as the Joolz Aer, the Silver Cross Clic and the Babyzen YoYo2 but these pushchairs are older models and sometimes available at discounted prices. The Pact Pro, in contrast, is a brand-new release from Joie and not likely to be discounted by retailers. 

Looking for more advice on the best baby gear to buy for your baby? Check out our buying guide on the best travel strollers or the best newborn prams. Alternatively, check out our features on what is a travel system and why do babies need to lie flat in a pram. 

A sleeping bag is an essential bit of kit for your nursery, and can be used from the time your baby is a newborn well into childhood or even adulthood. The best baby sleeping bags help to ensure your child stays at the perfect temperature no matter what the weather, as well as keeping them cosy. 

The Ickle Bubba Sleep Bag is a well-priced, comfortable and versatile sleeping bag that's available in a range of designs, prices and togs. 

We asked parent tester Charlie to test the Ickle Bubba Sleep Bag alongside her son Seb. So what did they think?

• VIEW AT ICKLE BUBBA

Design

Weighs: Not provided | Age: 6 - 18 months

We've long been fans of the affordable but high-quality products from British baby brand Ickle Bubba, and the sleeping bag is no exception.

Available in a variety of cute designs such as rabbits, stars, mountains and rainbows, the sleeping bag comes in 1 tog or 2.5 tog, and is available in two sizes, 0-6 months and 6-18 months.

The sleeping bag is easy to put on and off, with a handy side zip and simple shoulder poppers.

Charlie loved the design of the sleeping bag, as well as the longevity it offers.

"The Ickle Bubba sleeping bag is a really lovely sleeping bag designed for babies aged 6-18 months," she explained. "The design I tested was the 'rustic safari' - a mustard yellow sleeping bag with yellow dots, which I think is a perfect neutral design.

"The thing I liked the most about this sleeping bag, and the thing I think sets it apart from others we've used, is the broad age and size range of it.

"This is suitable for babies aged 6-18 months which means once you've invested, you won't need to replace it for a long time. Often you only get a 6-month window in which to use a sleeping bag before you have to move up to the next size, which can get expensive when you're buying lots of different sizes and tog ratings. 

"With this one, it'll see Seb through the colder autumn and winter nights and right into next year which I really like - it feels like really good value for money. I also don't think it looked too big on him at 10 months - there's still plenty of growing room but I wasn't worried about lots of excess material."

Comfort and features

Made from cotton jersey, the sleeping bag feels really soft to the touch, and it's generously sized too. It's easy to imagine how comfy little ones are when wrapped up in its cosy layers.

It's also super easy to use with its handy zipper, a fact that Charlie liked when using it for Seb's naps. She also loved the fact that it washed well and that it came with a guide to which tog to use.

"This sleeping bag was really easy to use - it just fastens over the shoulders with poppers, and has a zip down one side, so even with a wriggly 10-month-old it was easy to get him into it," she added.

"The fabric is soft and I felt like Seb was very comfortable in it, plus knowing it's 100% cotton is reassuring as you know it's breathable.

"I washed the sleeping bag on a gentle baby wash cycle and it washed really well - the colour stayed intact and the fabric still felt very soft. 

"This particular sleeping bag is a 2.5 tog so it's suitable for cooler nights - Ickle Bubba includes a guide with it to give you some idea of how to dress your baby in different room temperatures, which is really handy and I've kept it for future reference."

• VIEW AT ICKLE BUBBA

Value for money

At just £22, the Ickle Bubba Sleep Bag is on the more affordable end of the spectrum, but there's no compromising on quality despite the price.

Charlie was really impressed with the generous sizing and quality fabrics used and felt it would make a great recommendation to family and friends with infants.

"This is a really good quality sleeping bag that'll last babies for ages," she added.

"This feels like a really good investment to me because of the wide age range it offers, so I've suggested it to friends who are looking for a sleeping bag that'll last a bit longer.

"Overall, I've been very impressed with this sleeping bag - I hadn't tried anything by Ickle Bubba before, but they'll definitely be a brand I'd consider in the future.

"This is great for parents who like stylish and functional products that last their babies a long time."

Who should buy the Ickle Bubba Sleep Bag?

The Ickle Bubba Sleep Bag ticks lots of boxes. It's affordable, comfortable and comes in a huge variety of designs. For these reasons, it will appeal to many parents with children under three. It's a perfect buy if you're looking for a good quality sleeping bag that doesn't break the bank - and that still looks good too.

A stylish, award-winning baby travel crib changing bag that's been hailed as the must-have product for busy parents on the go, the Bizzi Growin Pod is the world's first 2-in-1 travel bag and baby crib — but is it really something you can't live without? We found out!

We asked our parent tester, Loren, to try out the Bizzi Growin POD with her 12-week-old son, Sam, and judging from her feedback, we'd have to say she's one smitten kitten! If you don't want to cart one of the best travel cots with you wherever you go (even the most compact ones can still be bulky) and you're looking to tick several baby product boxes, the Bizzi Growin POD is well worth considering.

Ensuring nap time is convenient and stress-free wherever you may be, the Bizzi Growin POD is both functional and fashionable, with a unique fold-out crib section that's easy to use and can be assembled in minutes. We also love the durable and easy to clean fabric which means you can weather all those messy parenting storms with ease.

We immediately fell in love with the design of this baby travel crib changing bag, but we were keen to find out more about exactly how it can add value to your life as a new parent. Does it take up lots of space? Is it comfortable to wear and easy to transport? And how durable and easy to clean is it? All of these things are important when you're considering a purchase of this nature and as you'll soon discover, Loren felt it ticked all those boxes beautifully.

Price and availability

At £58, we feel the Bizzi Growin POD is a mid-range product, however, when you consider that it doubles up as both a travel bag and a baby crib, we feel it blows it's pricier competitors (who offer either a changing bag or a crib) out of the water.

"It’s more expensive than a basic changing bag," agrees Loren, adding, "but you get two products in one: a transportable daytime cot and a changing/weekend bag."

Is it a luxury product rather than an essential one? Absolutely. As Loren says, "you don’t really need it, but it’s lovely to have it!"

Still, if you're pitting this against other changing bags, Loren feels it's absolutely a best buy. However, she goes on to say that "if it’s in a category with other travel cots then no, [it's not a best buy] as you can’t leave the baby to sleep in it unsupervised (meaning it’s not really suitable for use at night)."

Design and features

Weighs: 1.2kgs | Age: From newborn up to when baby can push themselves up on their hands
Folded size (Bag): W48cm x H35cm x D14cm Unfolded size (Crib): W48cm x H35cm x D77cm

When it comes to the overall design, features and comfort, the Bizzi Growin POD is pretty darn hard to fault. There's definitely no need for bulky, heavy travel cots when you have this little beauty in the house — simply grab your travel bag and off you go!

But, what exactly was it that our tester loved so much? Well, according to Loren, the first big plus is just how flexible it is. "The fact it’s also a travel cot gives it the edge over other bags. If you want to use it as just a bag, this essentially doubles its internal capacity, so it’s very practical," she says.

At 1.2kgs, Loren was also impressed by how easy it was to carry this bag about, stating that, "it’s well made from soft-touch vegan leather and feels super sturdy yet surprisingly lightweight considering it’s also a cot."

Even though Bizzi Growin state that the POD is only recommended for babies who can't yet sit up unaided, Loren felt it would still offer her excellent longevity as she can use it as a changing/travel bag for Sam when he gets older. "I love the sleek design too – I’d be happy to use it as a weekend bag for myself!," she told us.

As for the interior space, Loren describes it as being "really roomy — much bigger than other changing bags I have — so it had enough space to fit Sam's clothes, muslins and other bits and bobs for a week away. It’s also well thought out, with two main compartments (one of which houses the fold-out crib) and internal and external pockets. The insulated bottle pocket is a particularly handy touch."

Loren also really liked the removable cross-body strap that comes with the POD, as well as the two top handles as this allowed her to sling it across her body while she was running errands with Sam. The one downside? "The mattress crinkles a little which can make a sound when you’re laying baby down. It woke Sam up a couple of times when I was moving him from sleeping in my arms to the cot," Loren said.

All in all, the Bizzi Growin POD has an incredibly well thought out design that makes nap time and changing time incredibly convenient and stress-free. Oh, and as an extra bonus, the POD is simple to wipe down and clean when those inevitable parenting messes occur and it comes in four classy colours — black, porcini, whisper grey and windsor grey — with a beautifully patterned interior.

How we tested

• The Bizzi Growin POD was put to the test on a regular basis by our parent tester and her 12-week-old son
• Was put through its paces on a trip to Cornwall as well as around the house and at picnics in the park
• Our parent tester dove deep into all the facets of this POD, considering things like flexibility, versatility, longevity, quality, how easy it was to use and assemble, and how comfortable it was to carry around

Things you won't find on the box

One of the things our parent tester absolutely loved about the Bizzi Growin POD was all the useful additions that you may not pick up on just by skimming the product spec on the website.

"I love all the thoughtful details, such as that it comes with a mosquito net for naps outdoors," Loren told us. "Sam was bitten by a tick recently, which ended up in a couple of hospital visits, so I’m really conscious about keeping insects away from him when we’re outside now."

Also, if you're anything like us and aren't always the best with putting things together, you'll be relieved to learn that this product is a piece of cake to assemble.

"The crib itself is super easy to put together — all you have to do is unzip the back of the bag, extend it, insert the poles and roll out the padded mattress. Takes less than a minute. I used it as a safe place for Sam to lie in while awake as well as for nap times (instead of risking spit-up getting on the holiday cottage’s beds/sofas!)," Loren said.

Who's it best for

After putting the Bizzi Growin POD through its paces in a variety of different situations and settings, Loren felt that it's a product that would benefit a wide range of parents — including those who often rely on their feet to get around!

"It’s excellent for non-drivers," she said. "I travel by public transport to stay at my mother’s home regularly, so this bag has been really handy on those occasions."

Loren says she also feels it would suit anyone who likes beautifully designed products — "I have the black version but the porcini colour is especially stylish."

Her overall verdict? "I recommended this bag to friends because the idea sounds a little gimmicky but it’s been far more useful than I thought it would be."

Need an alternative?

With the Bizzi Growin POD being the world's first 2-in-1 travel bag and baby crib, finding an alternative is somewhat tricky. However, if you're happy to keep your changing bag and your crib as two separate items, why not consider a Moses basket?

One of our personal favourites is the Mokee Wool Nest Moses Basket which retails on the brand's website for £149. It offers a stylish and contemporary twist on the traditional Moses basket and is made from high-quality blended wool felt. Easily flat packed for travel and storage, it comes with a mattress, liner and fitted sheet — plus there's the option of purchasing a separate stand for extra stability.

Shopping for more baby equipment? Check out our guides to the best Moses baskets and the best travel cots.

SnüzPod Studio has been years in the making so nobody was more excited than us to secure an early sample to review.

With a reputation for bringing parents and babies together through better sleep, Snüz has always prided itself on supporting safe and cosy sleep right beside you. So how does their newest creation stack up against their other award-winning designs?

When it comes to the best bedside cribs to buy, Snüz is a firm favourite amongst the GoodtoKnow team — and the new SnüzPod Studio is no exception. This striking,  minimalist bedside crib is both super stylish and highly practical. Effortlessly agile thanks to its lightweight design and wheeled legs, it's an absolute dream to move around the room, plus it can be set at an incline which is brilliant if your little one struggles with reflux.

Suitable from birth to six months, SnüzPod Studio has six different height settings and is designed to fit divan, ottoman, and framed bed bases and comes with bed attachment straps included. It's available in 7 contemporary colours and has a breathable mattress to boost the chances of your baby getting the deep and settled rest they need.

• View now at Snüz

Price and availability

SnüzPod Studio has just come on the market and is currently retailing for £149, making it an excellent budget bedside crib given the features it offers.

"This model is cheaper than other SnüzPod cribs, yet features some updated touches," Liv said. "The crib will see your baby through the first six months in style and comfort."

While Liv would definitely class this crib as one of the best bedside cribs you can buy, the lack of a rocking motion is something she misses.

Design and features

Weighs: 6kg | Age: Birth to six months | Size: L99 x W59 x H79 (maximum height) 

SnüzPod Studio is a beautiful bedside crib designed to see your baby through their first few months. It’s easily the sleekest design yet from the Snüz team — produced in a variety of tasteful urban-inspired colours, from Paris White and Brooklyn Graphite to Stockholm Natural and Rome Burgundy. If you're looking for a lifestyle crib to compliment your grown-up interior, this one is a real winner. And the best part? It's super lightweight - and has wheels!

"Contrary to previous SnüzPod designs, Studio is a much lighter model, composed with one single frame rather than the traditional two-piece system the brand is known for," said Liv. "The crib can either be assembled to a static specification or mounted onto a set of wheels to be easily shifted around a room. While the frame is wider than other SnüzPod models I’ve seen, the overall effect is a much lighter, less cumbersome crib."

We particularly love that the crib can be mounted on wheels as this gives you the freedom to move it around the room - something Liv described as working "particularly well for city life when space is at a premium and the baby could be sleeping in front of the wardrobe or blocking a door". The legs are also height adjustable, making it easy to create the perfect side-by-side sleeping arrangement.

The fact that the legs can be affixed on an incline is also a huge plus — particularly if your baby is struggling with reflux, as this can help to aid digestion. However, Liv felt this feature also had the potential to be beneficial in other ways. "I imagine it would also be welcomed by mums who are recovering from c-sections, as the baby could be placed at a height that's easier to reach after surgery," she told us.

We breathed a huge sigh of relief when the SnüzPod Studio turned up and we saw that it came with the same drop-down wall that the original SnüzPod features — because, let's face it, having that easy access makes checking on baby during the night that much easier. Liv was also a fan of the mesh sides.

"While previous SnuzPods have just one or two mesh sides, the SnuzPod Studio has a full mesh finish, which helps you check on the baby from all angles, no matter which way they’re facing. This is an improvement and helps parents looking for a way to subtly check on their baby at night or during naps."

The only downside? The fact that this crib doesn't have a rocking motion. "The Studio sits on four individual legs, and the bassinet is fully static. Liv felt she'd prefer to invest in the SnüzPod4  because of its rocking functionality. "For my partner and I, rocking our baby in the crib each night was the only way we could get her to sleep in the first few weeks," she explains. "Now she’s nine weeks old that's less important, but it’s hard to imagine how we would have coped without that rocking functionality on day one."

"The design is sleek, and the lightweight frame certainly looks the part," Liv told us. "In short: it’s the crib you want to have, and can get away with after the first six or  so weeks — but before that, you may be reaching for one with a rocking motion to guarantee some sleep in those early days."

How we tested

• Our parent tester, Liv, tried out this crib with her nine-week-old daughter, Juliette
• The crib was used in the bedroom of a small city home where space is limited
• As well as looking at how easy this crib was to assemble, our parent tester also assessed the various features and how they could make a parent's life easier and potentially help a baby sleep better.
• Our test also rated the overall style of the crib and how easy it was to move around.

Things you won't find on the box

Unlike other SnüzPod designs, it's not possible to lift off the top half of the Studio for travel use, which many parents make use of — particularly if the journey to the destination can be made in the car, and the crib easily popped into the boot. "You’d have to invest in a separate travel cot if you were looking to travel in those first six months," Liv explained.

The Studio comes with a lightweight mattress that lends itself to a comfortable and cosy night's sleep, but it does require you to purchase a separate waterproof layer, plus all the usual sheets and bedding. "While the outer layer of the mattress can be removed for washing, the added protection is necessary to help offset the inevitable ‘poonamis’ and possets," explained Liv, when discussing the lack of a waterproof layer. "The mattress appears comfortable and breathable, helping babies to have the deep sleep they need for sufficient rest. The mattress is quite light, however, so it is hard to tuck in a blanket tightly enough to last a night, and they can be quite easily kicked off."

Who's it best for?

Striking yet refined, the SnüzPod Studio is the perfect bedside crib for contemporary living and ideal if you're short on space. Managing to both look the part and comprise all of the practical features you'd want in a crib (ok, except for rocking...), this newest creation from one of the most trusted baby brands certainly has a lot going for it.

Having explored every facet of this crib, Liv feels it's best for "style-oriented parents looking for a crib which will be as aesthetically pleasing as it is safe and practical". She also feels it sits at a highly affordable price point given the style and functionality it offers, so if you're looking for a budget-friendly bedside crib suitable from birth, you might just have found it.

Need an alternative?

The SnüzPod Studio has such a lot going for it, but the lack of a rocking motion might put some parents off. "It might seem like a small feature," Liv told us, "but when you're desperate for some shut-eye in the middle of the night, it's vital you can soothe the baby with some motion, without having to hold them."

If you're like Liv and feel that you'd struggle to be without the rocking motion that most cribs offer, the original SnüzPod4 may be a better buy. Or check out our review of the Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper as it's also practical, stylish, and portable - and, yes, rockable!

Looking for more? Discover our range of baby gear buying guides covering everything from the best prams to the best Moses baskets.

A popular choice for active parents who plan to run or jog with their child, the Summit X3 is a sleek and sporty pushchair with air-filled rubber tyres and all-wheel suspension. We put it to the test.

Stylish as well as practical, the Summit X3 was designed for Baby Jogger in partnership with female marathon runner Robin Arzón. And you can certainly tell - classy gold stitching and detailing on the wheel rims and seat put this running buggy in a class of its own - and, in our eyes, make it one of the best pushchairs you can buy. 

GoodtoKnow parent tester Lizzy told us she found the Summit X3 "fairly straightforward" to set up from unboxing to first use, and described it as offering "a comfortable running setup" with plenty of space behind the seat for your running stride. "The handle is comfortable to hold, and has both a wrist strap and a hand brake, which is nice for added security and reassurance when running, especially on downhill stretches," Lizzy added. 

"Other standout features include a swivel lock for the front wheel (which you control via the handlebar), ample storage space in the basket beneath the seat, and comfortable, secure seating for the baby."

The Baby Jogger Summit X3 is suitable for babies aged six months and older or, when used for running, for babies over the age of nine months. It's currently available to buy from Baby Jogger (£569) and Amazon.

• VIEW AT AMAZON

The three-wheel design (with a lockable swivel wheel at the front) makes this pushchair highly manoeuvrable - even when you encounter a sudden change in terrain. No matter whether you're popping out for a gentle stroll or trying to beat your PB, the all-wheel suspension system ensures your child will enjoy a smooth ride.

A hand-operated deceleration brake and tether strap make it easy to maintain control of the pushchair at all times, whether you're on a downhill slope or just slowing your pace for a well-earned breather. 

Price and availability

A running buggy is never going to be a 'cheap' option because of all the extra craftsmanship that goes into building a stroller that's robust and manoeuverable enough to take on a run with a little one on board. 

The Summit X3 is priced at £569 which reflects the fact that it's essentially a specialist product but, based on our parent tester's experience of trying it out, we think the price is good value for a high-performance buggy that can help you to maintain an active lifestyle after having a baby.

With an upper weight limit of 22kg, it's also worth noting that you could continue to use the Summit X3 until your child is around six years old. That's a considerably longer period of use than a standard pushchair so although this costs more than many, it also has the potential to last for many more years than a cheaper alternative. 

And if you're concerned about wear and tear and whether the Summit X3 is robust enough to withstand years of running with an ever-growing passenger, you'll be glad to know that there's a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty on the frame.

Design and features

Age: 6m (9m running) - 22kg | Weight: 12.8kg | Dimensions: 86.5 x 66.5 x 35 cm

You could be forgiven for thinking that a running stroller is going to be all substance and not much style. Functionality is, after all, what matters most with a buggy designed to carry your child comfortably while you pound the pavements. But the Summit X3 Jogging Stroller is just as stylish as it's practical - maybe even more so. The interior of the canopy features a striking gold pattern designed by an artist from New York City and inspired by the streets of NYC, and there's a gold-stitched safety tether and gold accents on the wheel rims and seat back. See? Stylish. 

The front wheel has a locking mechanism that can be activated from the handlebar without slowing your pace or stopping - a feature GoodtoKnow tester Lizzy found useful for greater stability when running on flat, smooth surfaces. And if you want to set the wheel to swivel for better maneuverability while out walking, it's just as easy to do so without breaking your stride.

The seat unit has a five-point harness system to keep your child safely in place and an adjustable recline feature so your child can lie back in comfort. GoodtoKnow parent tester Lizzy found the seat was secure and comfortable enough for her daughter Niamh to nap happily while Lizzy was out for a run. She also remarked on the "excellent" number of mesh panels that create airflow around the seat to keep little ones cool. 

The Baby Jogger Summit X3 also has a UV 50+ canopy to keep your child shaded and protected from UV rays plus a peek-a-boo window that makes it easy to keep an eye on your child as you walk or run.

Having somewhere to stash your phone and other essentials when you're out for a run is a must, as any runner knows, and the Summit X3 has that covered too. There is a large under-seat basket that's easy to access but also a handy storage pouch in the seat unit. "We had lots of storage space in the basket when we went shopping after a run and there's extra storage in the mesh pocket on the back of the seat," Lizzy said.

How we tested

• Used the Summit X3 for both walking and running on different types of terrain
• Thoroughly tested the claim that it can be folded with one hand - it can!
• Reviewed the stroller's overall performance, taking into account the comfort it provided for the baby along with how stylish it looks, how easy it is to use, and whether it folds easily.

Things you won't find on the box

A standout feature of the Summit X3 is its patented fold mechanism - it's designed so that you can fold it with one hand, thanks to Quick-Fold Technology. Lizzy confirmed - to her surprise - that it does indeed live up to that claim. "The one-handed fold was surprisingly easy to execute after a bit of practice although some upper body strength was required," she said. "It's great that this feature has been included." 

On the downside, the handlebar isn't height-adjustable. This wasn't an issue for our tester but she felt it could be problematic for others, particularly if two partners of different heights plan to use the pushchair. "It's not an issue for me at 5'4" but it might impact someone taller," Lizzy said.

Another small drawback to note is how heavy the Summit X3 is. For comparison, consider that a lightweight travel stroller typically weighs less than 6kg and this is twice that weight at more than 12kg. The weightiness is a benefit because it helps add stability and robustness to the pushchair frame and Lizzy says she wouldn't be put off buying the Summit X3 because of the weight, but feels it's something some parents will want to consider because lighter alternatives do exist.

Who's it best for?

GoodtoKnow tester Lizzy feels the Summit X3 is best summed up as a running stroller with a "premium feel" which is "also nice to look at and has a well-thought-out design". She would recommend it to parents who enjoy running and who would like to invest "in a stylish and functional running buggy that is comfortable to use for both baby and parents".

Lizzy listed 'ease of use' as a reason to buy this pushchair, adding that it delivered "a comfortable and efficient run" and she praised the design for keeping her baby comfortable enough to nap during Lizzy's run.

If you're looking for a stylish pushchair that will support an active lifestyle, the Summit X3 is well worth your consideration. While there's no guarantee that your baby will nap while you run, we love the fact that this pushchair offers that possibility. 

If you're not a runner, the Summit X3 will appeal to anyone who loves the idea of squeezing in a daily walk while your baby naps in comfort. If you've enjoyed an active lifestyle pre-parenthood and want to make it as easy as possible to continue that once your baby is here, the Baby Jogger X3 just might be the perfect pushchair for you.

Need an alternative?

If a running buggy isn't quite what you need and you just want a pushchair that's sturdy enough to tackle off-road walks without breaking a sweat, there are plenty of other all-terrain pushchairs to choose from. Check out our Bugaboo Fox 3 review for the lowdown on an all-terrain pram with advanced suspension that handled all terrains well when we put it to the test. 

Or for another running buggy to compare the Baby Jogger Summit X3 with, have a read of our Cybex Zeno review - you can use it to run with your baby using ‘push-mode’ or switch to ‘hands-free’ and it's also suitable for use when cycling or even skiing.

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The Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow features a revolutionary and versatile design that combines ergonomic shaping with luxurious breathable materials to provide the ultimate in pregnancy and nursing comfort. 

A worthy new contender for a spot in our best nursing pillows guide, the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow is the ultimate multi-purpose superstar — with options to use it for sleep support at night, back support during the day, a feeding cushion once baby has arrived and a support cushion for tummy time. Now that's one impressive pillow! 

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Designed to provide complete support and comfort for a more restful night's sleep during pregnancy, this pillow follows the natural shape of your body and cradles your head, hips, knees and ankles. Particularly beneficial to C-section mums, the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow removes the painful pressure on your stomach and back, and it's also brilliant for providing much-needed support during the feeding process. 

Price and availability

In terms of budget, we'd class the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow as a middle of the range product, but we feel you're getting great value for money with this product, something our parent tester agrees with. 

"Its mid-range price point and multiple uses mean it's a solid investment for someone who likes a firm pillow and is looking to breastfeed," says Emily. 

However, Emily did feel that while this pillow has some fantastic features (which we'll get to below) and would suit a lot of mums, it may not be the right choice for everyone. 

"Your body is constantly changing during pregnancy, and my sleeping position has changed an awful lot between each trimester therefore a more flexible construction would offer the user a pregnancy pillow that will support them through every stage. Without this, I would find myself buying a different pregnancy pillow to support me at different stages of pregnancy," Emily explains.

Design and features

Dimensions: 43cm x 116cm | Age: Pregnancy and beyond |Material: 100% cotton cover, 100% polyester mesh

When it comes to talking about the design and features of the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow, it's a case of where to start! We're really impressed with what this little beauty has to offer on both of those fronts and it has some unique selling points that set it apart from its competitors.

Firstly, rather than the traditional sausage construction that you'll find most pregnancy and nursing pillows opt for, the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow features the brand's signature 3D spacer mesh and super soft interlock jersey cotton. This enables the pillow to offer full breathability around the bump area and creates a level of versatility that allows the pillow to be used as a back support, feeding cushion, and baby support cushion. 

Because the spacer mesh follows the natural shape of an expectant mum, the pillow also offers an outstanding level of support to the head, hips, knees, and ankles, plus, when used regularly from the second trimester, it can also help encourage baby to get into the optimum position for birth. 

The support and breathability offered by the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow is something our parent tester, Emily, was particularly impressed with.

"Before falling pregnant I was a back sleeper, so I was anxious about having to sleep on my side. This pillow provided great support during the night and fitted comfortably around my growing bump without causing the overheating I'd suffered from previously," she told GoodtoKnow. 

It's also worth noting that the cover of the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow can be removed and machine-washed at 40 degrees on a gentle wash and tumble-dried on low heat. The inner can also be washed on a lower setting of 30 degrees. So you can breathe easy knowing that this durable pillow will be with you for years to come. 

How we tested

• Used the pillow during the seventh month of pregnancy
• Put the pillow to good use while sleeping
• Along with looking at the overall comfort and support the pillow offered, our tester also considered the construction, how well it regulated body heat during the night, and whether it would be suitable for nursing and tummy time

Things you won't find on the box

Available in two designs — minimal grey (for those who prefer a more neutral look) and botanical (for those wanting a bit more colour) — the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow beautifully combines both style and substance. 

It's worth mentioning that this pillow has been designed and tested by safe sleep baby product experts, so you can rest easy knowing it adheres to safe sleep guidelines. Plus, it's made from hypoallergenic materials, so it's a great choice if you or your baby suffer from allergies.

This pillow is surprisingly firm, which is not what we were expecting. However while some people may benefit from a slightly more flexible construction, our tester felt it had enough give in it to fit comfortably around her growing bump. The firmness is also nicely offset by the softness of the material, so you'll still find this pillow delightful to snuggle into. 

Who's it best for?

Emily felt this pillow offered excellent support during the night and she would also recommend it to anyone who's nursing. However, given the firmness, she's not sure how comfortable she'd be using the pillow for tummy time. 

Although Purflo do state that the pillow can be used for this purpose, we agree with our tester that both the firmness and the height of the pillow makes it unsuitable for tummy time use during the first few months of a baby's life. However, once baby is a bit older, it could well be useful for this purpose. 

If you're looking for a pregnancy pillow that will help you get into the optimal sleeping position and a robust nursing pillow that offers a great deal of support, the Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow is well worth considering. 

Need an alternative?

If a firm pregnancy and nursing pillow just isn't what you're looking for, you'll be relieved to know that there are ton of softer and more malleable options on the market. 

One that fits this bill nicely is the Mamas & Papas Pregnancy and Nursing Pillow (£45 from Mamas & Papas). With a boomerang design that supports your bump, back, and knees while you sleep, this pillow moulds to your shape and makes for the comfiest companion. 

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The Silentnight Body Support Pillow is a versatile pillow that can be used in a variety of positions during pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. While a tad on the bulky side, it's been designed by the sleep experts at Silentnight to be cosy, comfortable and offer complete body support. 

Whether sleeping or relaxing, this medium-firm pillow can be used in lots of different ways and that flexibility is one of the things we love most about it. From relieving pregnancy-related pain in your hips, neck and stomach to supporting you while nursing or resting in bed, this pillow will keep you supported and comfortable. 

While we don't consider it to be one of the best nursing pillows you can buy (that's because it hasn't been designed solely with that in mind), we do feel it provides a good amount of comfort for expectant mothers and can be used to give you additional support when feeding. 

Price and availability

"This pillow is there for the long haul so it's a really worthwhile investment for the price," says Victoria. And we have to say, we couldn't agree more. Given that you'll be able to continue to use this pillow well past pregnancy and nursing, it's incredibly budget-friendly and the medium firmness it offers is going to be just right for most people. 

Silentnight is renowned for making products to suit all kinds of sleepers, and this full-body size pillow is just the right length for mid to late pregnancy — plus if you're after ongoing support for your back and neck postpartum, you'll find this pillow does that job nicely. 

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Design and features

Dimensions: 147 x 48cm | Age: Pregnancy and beyond | Material: Microfibre outer and hollowfibre inner

First things first — we love the simple and supersized design of this pillow which enables it to be used in a multitude of ways. Offering support for your back, hips, neck and stomach, it helps to relieve the pain commonly associated with pregnancy, and it can also be used for nursing or watching TV on the sofa or in bed.

We're also huge fans of how huggable this pillow is! Give it a squeeze and you'll be amazed at how much it relieves the pressure on your shoulders, or place it between your knees to aid spinal alignment and relieve lower back pain. 

The pillow comes with a machine-washable, fitted soft-touch microfibre pillowcase for extra protection, so keeping it clean and fresh is super easy. "You don't have to wrestle to get a cover on if you're heavily pregnant or postpartum and feeling a bit sore or holding a baby," explains Victoria.

However, there's no getting around the fact that this is one big pillow! Large and bulky, it's not the easiest to store away and it takes up a lot of space on the bed. Plus, we won't lie, at 4ft 8in in length, it almost feels like you have an extra person in bed with you and at 3.5kg, it's quite heavy to carry around.

But, while it is quite mammoth, you do need the extra support when you're pregnant — particularly towards the end — so from that perspective (and given it can serve an array of different uses postpartum) you may well find it earns the space it takes up in your bedroom. 

"It's a bit unwieldy in size compared to most pillows on the market, but the support it provides is well worth it for being so comfortable and its neutral design means you'll want one for every room in the house," says Victoria.

How we tested

• Used the pillow on an ongoing basis postpartum
• Put the pillow to good use in a variety of situations, including sleeping, relaxing and nursing
• As well as considering things like comfort and support, our tester also looked at the versatility of the pillow, including its look and feel, and how easy it was to keep clean

Things you won't find on the box

Crafted from soft quilted microfibre and filled with squishy hollowfibre, the Silentnight Body Support Pillow comes with a dreamy microfibre pillowcase resulting in a pillow that leaves you feeling like you're snoozing on a cloud. 

One thing that's really worth highlighting is the versatility of this pillow. Yes, it's great for pregnancy and postpartum nursing and relaxing, but its use extends well beyond that. 

Keep this pillow on hand well beyond pregnancy and birth and you'll find that it can provide anyone in your family with huggable sleep support and extra comfort when sitting up in bed. 

Ideal for helping to relieve aches and pains, you'll find the multiple uses it offers (not to mention its dreamy hotel-like feel) make this pillow an outstanding budget buy. 

Who's it best for

The wonderful thing about this multi-purpose pillow is that it's suitable for just about everyone — which means you'll get a ton of use out of it that extends well beyond pregnancy and feeding. 

In terms of pregnancy, you'll find that this pillow gives a good amount of comfort and support for your knees and bump, and because it's squishy and flexible, you'll find it easy to switch sleeping positions during the night. 

When it comes to nursing we feel that the bulky size of the Silentnight Body Support Pillow makes it more suitable for use behind your back to help you sit in a comfortable position, with a traditional curved pillow used for the actual feeding itself.

This pillow is also a real superstar when it comes to relieving aches and pains, so once you're done using it, you may find other family members can reap the benefits of it too!

Need an alternative?

The Silentnight Body Support Pillow has a whole lot going for it — it's affordable, offers excellent support for your back, neck, hips and stomach, and can relieve pressure on the shoulders, aid spinal alignment and and relieve lower back pain. However, it's also large and bulky, and you may find it doesn't quite do the job when it comes to nursing your baby.

If you'd rather avoid having to buy two separate pillows and opt for something that ticks both boxes, the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow (£49.99 from Dreamgenii) is a worthy contender. It moulds comfortably around your bump, supporting your back and knees to leave you feeling like you're sleeping in a cozy and snuggly cocoon. Plus, when it's time to nurse, it easily converts into a feeding support pillow. 

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There's no denying it — despite its high price point, the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow is hands-down one of the most outstanding pregnancy pillows money can buy.

Designed by three female Norwegian chiropractors, this pillow is filled with tiny beads that cradle your growing belly, lower back, pelvis, knees, and ankles, and its unique adjustability and five-point support will ensure you sleep comfortably. Given that bbhugme also happens to be the makers of one of the best nursing pillows, it's no surprise that their pregnancy pillow has that same high quality we've come to know and love.

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Designed to help you sleep comfortably throughout your pregnancy — whatever your body needs, whatever stage you're at, and whatever your personal sleeping preferences are from the first trimester and beyond — our parent tester Kate took this celeb fave for a spin and found it to be well worth its high price tag. 

Price and availability

We're not going to lie — our eyes did water when we saw the price tag on the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow so we want to be upfront and say that this is a considered purchase that will be out of budget for some mums-to-be. 

However, Kate makes a good point when she says "a good night's sleep is priceless and I'd rather spend on this than a few extra items of maternity clothing".

So yes, it is a big decision, but as you'll soon see this pillow has a lot going for it. If you're looking for a body pillow that will improve pregnancy sleep and relieve tension, this one is well worth considering.

Design and features

Created by chiropractors to help you sleep comfortably with unique adjustability and five-point support, the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow has been designed to adjust to your body — giving you the exact level of firmness and support your unique body shape and bump needs from the first trimester and beyond - something that our tester Kate absolutely loved.

"The best feature is that you can adjust the amount of filling in the pillow by moving the adjustable 'pebble' clips at either side so you can have as much or as little support as needed - and it's so uncomplicated to do," she explains. 

Filled with tiny BPA-free silicone pebbles, the pressure-relieving filling supports your legs, pelvis, belly, lower back, and ankles, and the jersey spandex outer works to keep you cool at night. 

"The cotton and spandex blend is soft without causing night sweats, thanks to its breathability," says Kate, adding that "the pillow is very long so can use it to support the whole of your body".

Aside from the incredible level of support and customisation this pillow offers, Kate was thrilled with how easy it was to keep clean. "You can throw the outer cover in the washing machine and the pebbles in the dishwasher," she says. 

Plus, if all of that has yet to win you over, the pillow comes with a travel bag, something that sounds like a small thing but can make your life a whole lot easier if you're going to be on the move a bit during your pregnancy or just want to keep your home clutter-free.

"I like the case, because it kept everything fresh when I travelled to my mother-in-law's for a visit and means that, when I'm finished using it for breastfeeding or supporting my baby, I can pack it neatly away and keep it looking good," Kate told Goodto. 

How we tested

• We tested the pillow for several weeks during the fifth month of pregnancy
• The pillow was put to good use during the night while sleeping and Kate now uses it postpartum to breastfeed her baby
• As well as looking at the overall support this pillow offers, Kate also looked at how easy it was to adjust, its portability, and ease of cleaning

Things you won't find on the box

Unlike most pregnancy pillows where there isn't an awful lot of additional things to say, we really could talk for hours about the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow — and we're fairly certain there'd still be more to say after that! 

One thing that isn't mentioned on the box is just how useful other members of your family may find this pillow. Now, we understand you're not going to want people stealing it while you're pregnant or nursing, but once you're out of those stages you may well want to hang onto it. It makes for a really wonderful travel pillow and if you have elderly relatives that visit often (or anyone with joint pain), the pillow can provide extra comfort and support when they're sitting on the sofa. 

It's also worth noting that this pillow is quite weighty, tipping the scales at 2.1kgs. But, the stylish design and beautiful colours on offer (think dusty blues, pinks, and olives) mean you can proudly display this pillow on your bed or sofa without it looking bulky. 

Who's it best for

We feel that the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow is ideal for any expectant mum looking for a pillow that offers adjustable firmness and unique shape versatility (it can be configured into C, U, I or L-shapes). Oh and did we mention how eco-friendly it is? It's true!

Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex Class 1 Certified (this means the materials are free from harmful substances), the raw materials are CO2 neutral and non-hazardous, plus they're also odor-free and have antibacterial and antifungal properties. If you want to ensure you and baby stay as healthy as possible during pregnancy, the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow gets a big tick on that front.

Finally, it's just a brilliant choice for side-sleeping and resting, relieving pressure on your back, belly, pelvis, knees and ankles so that you can get the comfy and restorative sleep that you need. 

Need an alternative?

Although the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow has so much going for it, we're fully aware that in today's climate it's just not going to be a manageable purchase for so many of us. The great news is that for those of us who can't justify a £153 spend, there are so many other brilliant pregnancy pillows on the market that are cosy and comfortable.

And our top pick? The Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow (£49.99 at Dreamgenii). This dual-function pillow will support you through your pregnancy and beyond, moulding gently around your bump to create a snuggly cocoon that will give you the ultimate night-time comfort. Plus, when the baby arrives, use this 2-in-1 pillow to create a supportive feeding experience for you and your little one. All of that for less than £50? Now that's a pillow we can sleep easy with! 

If you're looking for a pillow that offers excellent value for money and will serve you well during both pregnancy and while you're nursing, the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow is a little powerhouse that's well worth considering.

One of our personal top picks in our guide to the best nursing pillows, the UK-midwife recommended Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow has a unique and patented design that moulds around your bump to create a snuggly and cozy cocoon that will ensure you sleep comfortably. Plus, once baby arrives, this dual-function pillow offers excellent support while nursing. 

• VIEW AT MAMAS & PAPAS

With a dreamy jersey cover that's a delight to snuggle up into, this pillow is guaranteed to become your new best friend. And while it's not quite perfect (what pregnancy and nursing pillow is?), it has so many great features to promote night-time comfort. 

Price and availability

"It's not the cheapest pillow on the market but I feel that if you were to use it for feeding then it's well worth the price as a multitasker," says Jamie. And she's right. Yes, you can certainly pick up a cheaper pillow than the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow, however, when you start to take into account its dual-function, this little gem suddenly becomes very appealing indeed. 

If you're like most parents, baby and kiddie clutter is likely something you're going to want to try to cut down on (or avoid altogether) and this pillow will definitely help you do that. Supporting your back and knees as your pregnancy progresses and sleep becomes more difficult, you'll also find it really helps to take the pressure off your neck, shoulders and back when you're breast or bottle feeding.

Design and features

Dimensions: H15 x W45 x D44cm| Material: 100% jersey cotton outer, 100% polyester inner

Whether you're after that all-important restorative night time sleep or you're looking for some extra support during the day, the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow has got you covered on the comfort front — both before and after the birth of your baby. 

Specifically shaped to encourage left lateral sleeping (the optimal foetal position), this pillow will support the health of both you and your baby. But that's not the only thing the team at Dreamgenii have considered when creating this pillow.

We love the lightweight design, which makes carrying this pillow around the house or transporting it from A to B that much easier — after all, if you have a baby on board or you're carrying a little one about, the last thing you want is to be trying to cart a heavy pillow around the house as well. 

Our tester Jamie specifically commented on the lightness and how much she loved it, while also highlighting the impressive back support. "It didn't feel like I had to wrestle it if I wanted to shift slightly in the night and the dipped centre panel prompted me to stay on my side as I slept prevented me rolling back," she explains. 

And while we're on the subject of support, we find it really helpful to think of this pillow as being made up of three parts. There's the part of the pillow that sits behind your back and cradles the curve of your spine, the well at the front that moulds around your bump, and the long tube that goes between your legs. 

Theoretically, this should offer equal support to all parts of your body, however Jamie did note that for her personally, her back felt more supported than her front. "While it was light and I loved the cocoon shape and soft, jersey - I need something that offers more support on the front of my body and between my knees."

It's worth pointing out that everyone carries differently during pregnancy, so if you find that you're like Jamie and need a lot more support at the front, you'll find an excellent option for that at the end of this review. 

Finally, you'll be relieved to learn that the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow has a 100% machine washable jersey cotton fabric cover — a real lifesaver if you're going to be using this pillow for those unavoidably messy feeding sessions! 

How we tested

• Used the pillow during the sixth month of pregnancy
• Put the pillow to good use each night while sleeping
• Along with looking at the level of support the pillow offered, our tester also reviewed things like lightness, firmness, and how helpful it was in preventing backrolling 

Things you won't find on the box

While there's not a lot of additional information to provide about the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow (there are only so many features a pillow can have!), it's worth noting that alongside the standard white version, the pillow also comes in two other colour options — grey marl and beige marl — so if you're a fan of neutral and soothing tones, this pillow definitely ticks the box.

Also, we absolutely love that you can buy additional covers that have been specifically made for this pillow, something that so many other pregnancy and feeding pillows on the market don't offer. Spare covers are available in a range of different colours and patterns, which not only allows you to personalise your pillow, but it means you always have a fresh cover on hand if the other one gets dirty. 

Who's it best for?

If you're after a multi-purpose pillow that will serve you well during pregnancy and postpartum, the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow is a great choice. Getting comfortable in bed can be really challenging during pregnancy, especially as you move in to the second and third trimesters, so having a supportive pillow that moulds to your bump can help you get that all-important restorative shut-eye. 

Then, when the baby arrives and it comes time to nurse, this 2-in-1 pillow can give you the feeding support you need and take the pressure off your back, neck and shoulders. 

Our tester's only note of caution would be that this pillow may not be suitable for those that prefer a thicker and heavier layer of support. "The only thing I didn't like was that it was on the thinner side and I am used to using a very thick U-shaped maternity pillow. I felt as if it wasn't offering my back the same alignment as other, thicker pillows," Jamie explains.

However, that one issue aside, Jamie felt that this pillow was a fantastic multi-tasker and would suit anyone after something soft and cozy to snuggle up to. 

Need an alternative?

As we've mentioned above, there's so much to love about the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow — we mean really, who doesn't want to feel they're snoozing the night away in a soft and snuggly cocoon?! But we understand that the thinness may be an issue for those of you in need of some extra support, which is why we we've found an outstanding alternative we know you'll love.

While it's not cheap, the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow has been designed by three female Norwegian chiropractors and is filled with tiny beads that work overtime to snuggle your bump and create a cooling affect at the same time — which is great if you're a hot sleeper or carrying during the summer months. Thick and snuggly, the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow is available from Mamas & Papas for £137.70. 

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The Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow is a lifesaver for new parents looking to provide themselves and their baby with a comfortable and supportive feeding experience. 

Our overall winner in our guide to the best nursing pillows, the Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow, lets parents maintain the correct position while feeding and nursing. Offering maximum comfort, you'll be impressed by how easily and calmly it allows your baby to feed, plus it can be used in a variety of different ways throughout the first year of your little one's life — so it offers great value for money. 

• VIEW AT KIDDIES KINGDOM

We really love the support this pillow offers both parent and baby, with the consistency of the padding enabling you to maintain a comfortable and relaxed position that reduces muscle tension in the arms, shoulders and neck. 

It's not an item you have to have but with a plethora of uses ranging from feeding, relaxing, and developmental training, the Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow will definitely make your life easier. "I wish I'd got my hands on this sooner after my c-section," says Sophie. "I think it would really have assisted with holding my baby comfortably at the time."

Price and availability

"The Chicco Boppy is a reasonable price compared to other similar products you can buy but it isn't a necessary product so I feel it's a bit of a luxury purchase," says Sophie. "But its price point is great for someone that wants to buy products that last beyond the newborn stage."

As Sophie rightly points out, this is not an item you MUST have in order to be able to feed your baby, but given the amount of time you'll spend holding them while they're at the breast or bottle, it's worth weighing the almost £40 price tag against the level of comfort this pillow offers both you and your baby — which is considerable. 

Plus, with so many of us wanting to invest in products for our children that are multi-purpose and suitable for use at various stages of their development, the multiple uses for the Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow make the cost feel a little more justifiable.

Design and features

Dimensions: H48 x W15 x D53cm | Age: From birth | Material: 100% cotton

We have to say, we're big fans of the Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow's versatile design, which offers parents a huge amount of flexibility. 

In the first few months of your baby's life, it allows you to position them at the correct height for breast or bottle feeding and reduces the pressure on your abdomen. As they get older, the Boppy Pillow becomes a comfortable space for them to relax with their head slightly raised to aid digestion and it's also brilliant for tummy time and the development of motor coordination.

The level of padding on the Boppy Pillow is impressive and allows you to maintain that all-important comfortable feeding position while reducing muscle tension. Because it moulds so beautifully to your body without losing its shape, you'll find it reduces neck pain when bottle feeding and breast pain when nursing by allowing you to correctly and naturally position your baby. 

Our tester Sophie was also really impressed by the size and feel of this pillow. "Some feeding pillows I’ve tried before have been quite small which has meant it hasn’t quite fitted around me comfortably or worked with a wiggly baby," she says. "It is also quite firm which I like. It will soften his fall should he topple over but it’s also firm enough to provide enough support to keep him upright."

And if you're worried about keeping this pillow clean, don't be — the cotton slipcover comes off easily and both that and the pillow itself are machine-washable and drier-friendly, which makes life a whole lot easier. It also won't lose its shape or consistency, no matter how many times you wash it. "It's especially useful when using it with a weaning and reflux baby!" says Sophie.

How we tested

• Used the pillow for several weeks with a seven-month old baby
• Put the pillow through its paces, using it for feeding, tummy time and assisted sitting
• Along with looking at comfort and support, our parent tester also assessed how easy to clean the pillow was, and its size and firmness 

Things you won't find on the box

As you'd expect with a nursing pillow, there aren't a whole lot of hidden bells and whistles and all of the main product information is clearly displayed on the box. That being said, there are a few things we feel are worth highlighting.

Firstly, unlike some nursing pillows that come in one or two colours, we love that the Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow offers four different designs from the adorable modern woodland to the chic Rosa with its delicate shade of baby pink. If you're someone who isn't a fan of neutral tones or plain fabric, we feel you'll love the whimsical designs on offer here. 

Secondly, we like that it's crafted from high-quality cotton and is soft and breathable, as this ensures the pillow is gentle on a baby's sensitive skin. At the same time, it doesn't compromise on cushioning, which provides optimal comfort and as we mentioned earlier (but feel it's worth repeating) because it grows with your baby, it's suitable for all stages of their development. 

Who's it best for?

The Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow is ideal for any parent looking to create a comfortable and supportive feeding experience for themself and their baby. The Boppy Pillow has an ergonomic shape that provides a snug and secure fit and will allow you to sit upright when feeding without having to bend over or lean forward, both of which can lead to muscle aches and pains. 

It's also a great choice if you're looking for a pillow that will grow with your baby. You can use it to help you correctly position yourself in those first few weeks of your baby's life as you get used to breast or bottle feeding and when your baby gets to three months of age it's fantastic for creating an elevated resting spot that aids digestion. Plus, it's brilliant for tummy time and super useful when your baby hits the nine-month mark and you want to help them learn to safely balance and sit on their own. 

Need an alternative?

The Chicco Boppy Nursing Pillow is a flexible and versatile pillow at a really affordable price, but we understand it may not be for everyone — especially if you're looking for something with a few more bells and whistles.

And if that's the case, don't worry because the My Breast Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow (£117 at Amazon) has got you covered. It doesn't come cheap, but this award-winning pillow has plenty of features to keep you comfy, including a built-in backrest, storage pocket, and an adjustable strap to help keep your baby in place and take the strain off your shoulders, neck, and back. 

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Looking for more stylish baby and pregnancy kit? Check out a selection of our other buying guides.

The Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow from Mamas & Papas is one of those deceptively simple-looking pieces of baby gear.

It may not look particularly innovative when you first unbox it but delve a little deeper, and what you'll find is a pillow that manages to provide five-point support and a range of flexible usage options all packaged up into one beautifully uncomplicated design — and that's exactly why we love it. 

If you're looking for the best nursing pillow that can be used during pregnancy and while you're feeding your baby, the Mamas & Papas Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow is well worth considering. Designed to support the pelvis, lower back, abdomen, knees, and ankles, it moulds to your shape with a narrow design that makes for the comfiest companion. 

• VIEW AT SAMUEL JOHNSTON   

With five uses, this superstar of a pillow can be used for sleeping, resting, bottle-feeding, breastfeeding or just a little more comfort when you need it most pre- or postpartum. Yes, it has a super simple design compared to some other pillows you'll see on sale, but when a product manages to so effortlessly combine comfort and value for money, who needs additional bells and whistles? Not us!

Price and availability

At £45 this is a relatively low-priced pillow and Joanna feels it's worth the money, especially since she found it more effective than several other more expensive pillows she has tried. 

"This one would be the one I'd recommend to friends and family — no matter their budget," she enthuses. Given its multi-functional design, investing in it means you won't have to worry about having to buy and store a range of additional products either. 

Joanna agrees, saying she'd recommend it to someone who's not only looking to get a comfortable night's sleep but who has a smaller home and is struggling for bed and storage space. "A good night's sleep is priceless," she says, and that's exactly what this pillow will help you achieve. 

Design and features

Dimensions: H19 x W19 x D143cm approx
Composition: 100% cotton outer, 100% polyester inner

If you're currently pregnant or nursing, then you don't need us to tell you that both of these stages have the potential to bring with them a great deal of discomfort. Carrying a baby during pregnancy puts a lot of new pressure on your joints, plus as you grow bigger, things start to get a bit cramped in there, which can make trying to find a comfortable sleeping position much more difficult. 

Thankfully, with the Mamas & Papas Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow, relief is close at hand. With a boomerang design that supports your bump, back, knees, and ankles while you sleep, the pillow's soft fabric moulds to your shape to ensure you get the rest you need. The design isn't particularly innovative, but as Joanna found out, it more than gets the job done. 

"This is a simply designed product - but that's what I like about it," says Joanna. "What I like most is the fact that, unlike more expensive and 'luxurious' versions I've tried, the pillow isn't too wide and thick, which means I can sleep with it between my knees without discomfort in my hips or knees and without encroaching on my husband's side of the bed!"

It's also likely to become your new best friend while you're nursing too, as it will enable you to support yourself and your baby while you breast or bottle feed. We like the addition of the integrated carry handle and reusable zip-up bag as this will make it easy for you to move it around the house, take it with you to the hospital, or pack it away to take with you on holiday. 

And if you're worried about keeping this little gem clean (yes, we're thinking about all that baby sick!) don't be — the removable cover can be thrown into the washing machine at 40°C, making it a piece of cake to keep it clean and hygienic.

Finally, we'd be remiss not to mention how this pillow looks. The slim design and soft grey shade mean it will blend beautifully into any home decor. "Lots of pregnancy pillows stick out like a sore thumb," says Joanna, but with the Mamas & Papas Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow, that's one thing you definitely won't have to worry about. 

How we tested

• Tested the pillow during the first trimester of pregnancy
• Put the pillow to good use at night, assessing how easy it was to get into a comfortable sleeping position and the level of support offered
• Along with looking at the design and support level, our tester also considered factors  such as portability and ease of cleaning

Things you won't find on the box

There isn't a lot of information available on the Mamas & Papas website regarding this pillow, but to be honest, there isn't a lot to be said. All the important information is outlined upfront.

However, a couple of things are worth noting. This pillow only comes in one shade — grey. So to call your colour choices limited would be a kind understatement. 

Secondly, while they do mention on the website that this pillow is easy to clean, you'll be really happy to learn that not only is the cover machine-washable but it washes up well with no fading or bobbling. 

It's a shame you can't buy more than one cover as this would mean you could continue to use it while the other one is getting cleaned, but that's a minor inconvenience that in no way detracts from the overall usefulness and quality of this pillow. 

Who's it best for?

Whether you're pre- or postpartum, this pillow is going to help make your life a whole lot more comfortable. During pregnancy it can help you get the quality of sleep that you need by relieving some of the pain and pressure on your joints that carrying a baby can cause. 

After pregnancy, it's wonderful for making breast and bottle feeding easier, and can also be used when you and baby are relaxing on the couch or while you're travelling.

'It's not particularly innovative, but it is very good value and comfortable,' says Joanna. 'Having tried three bulkier and more luxurious pillows previously, this simple design is the one I'd recommend to friends and family.'

Need an alternative?

While we feel the Mamas & Papas Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow offers a high level of comfort and support, we understand that the narrow shape and slimline design may not suit someone looking for a more substantial pillow. And the good news is, if you're after a pillow with additional length and girth, there are plenty to choose from.

Our pick of the bunch would be the Dreamgenii Pregnancy and Support Feeding Pillow currently retailing at Dreamgenii for £49.99. This pillow features a unique and patented shape that really moulds around your bump while supporting the rest of your body as your pregnancy progresses and sleep becomes more difficult. The long tail will also sit comfortably between your legs, helping to align your hips. 

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We put the La Maman Wedge Nursing Pillow from DockATot to the test to see if it's as practical and functional as it is striking and stylish.

We didn't have to say the words 'would you like to review a William Morris nursing pillow' twice to our Editor, Anna Bailey, when she went off on maternity leave earlier this year. A fan of stylish design and a resident of Walthamstow (birthplace of Morris), she jumped at the chance to put such a classy item of baby gear to the test.

The La Maman Wedge Nursing Pillow from DockATot is no ordinary nursing pillow. Available in a wide variety of designs from vintage-inspired designs to modern geometric prints, this pillow is designed to be supportive for mums, with a curved design that fits around the body while taking the strain off your arms, neck, and shoulders during feeding time with your baby 

If you're looking for the best nursing or maternity pillow to buy and like the idea of something timeless that you won't want to part with when your baby stops nursing, this is a serious contender. 

• VIEW AT DOCKATOT

Anna was already a big fan of William Morris before she tested out the La Maman Wedge Nursing Pillow from DockATot.

"I live in Walthamstow, the birthplace of William Morris, so I have many of his designs in my home - and this fits in perfectly," she said. "The Strawberry Thief print is a classic floral design and one of his most popular."

As well as the fabulous print, this pillow has a curved shape that tucks neatly around whoever is holding the baby. Whether you're using it as support for breastfeeding or as a helping hand when giving your baby a bottle, the pillow is a lifesaver. 

And while there's no denying that it's a pricey buy, there's value for money hidden in the fact that it can be used around the house as a classic pillow or cushion, long after your baby's finished nursing or bottle feeding. 

Price and availability

DockATot nursing pillows are currently on offer at John Lewis for just £56. They usually retail at £80 and the William Morris designs are always popular options that tend to sell out quickly.  

So, is the La Maman Wedge Nursing Pillow from DockATot worth its price tag? Absolutely, according to our tester. "Although it is a premium product, I’d consider it really good value for money due to its lasting appeal," said Anna.

While breastfeeding her newborn, Anna loved how good the pillow looked. But she can't see herself parting with it any time soon and not even when Freddie no longer needs to be nursed. 

"It just looks so good on the sofa," she added. "It’s great quality and perfectly functional but the design and fabric give it an additional luxurious feel."

Design and features

Dimensions: 57 x 34 x 17cm | Age: Birth - six months

The DockATot La Maman Wedge Nursing Pillow has been designed in collaboration with Morris & Co. It has a stunning William Morris print and a luxurious velvety fabric. 

Anna loved the vintage feel of this piece and how it fitted in seamlessly with her home decor. "This pillow would probably look best in a more traditional home, or one with an eclectic or bohemian decor," she said. "It’s so great to see a nursing pillow (or any baby product) with a more grown-up and unique design - so many pregnancy or nursing pillows seem to be covered in babyish animals, polka dots, stripes, and stars, which all feel a bit clichéd."

"It doesn’t look out of place on the sofa at all. I’ve offered the nursing pillow to guests when they’ve held Freddie and they’ve said, ‘Oh, I didn’t realise that’s what it was for - I just thought it was a cushion.’" 

As well as its grown-up good looks, Anna thought the design was well-thought-out. "I love how compact it is, unlike a lot of the nursing pillows that can take up so much space," she said. "It also had a handy fabric loop, which is sewn so well into the pillow it’s almost invisible. This has been really helpful for carrying it around."

How we tested

• Tested the nursing pillow during breastfeeding and bottle-feeding for several weeks.
• Noted how supportive the pillow was for both baby and parent.
• Rated how easy the pillow was to clean.

Things you won't find on the box

There's much more to the DockATot La Maman Wedge nursing pillow than just a pretty design. "This nursing pillow curves around my body perfectly when I’m holding Freddie; she feels very comfortable and secure while feeding," said Anna. "But the pillow has also been really helpful for protecting my C-section scar - I reposition it after nursing around my tummy, and this stops Freddie kicking this sensitive area when I’m burping her or when she’s wriggling around."

Inevitably with newborns, you'll likely need to clean this pillow at some point, and Anna highlighted this as another reason to buy this nursing pillow over others. "It seems to spot clean really well - Freddie threw up all over it (and herself, and me...) recently - but it wiped away easily with no problems." 

Who's it best for

Since the DockATot La Maman Wedge nursing pillow is very aesthetically pleasing, it's no surprise that Anna thinks it would suit "someone who is style-conscious, loves home decor and quality designs". But she'd also recommend it to her friends as "they all love William Morris".

Anna thinks this design would work particularly well in a home with a traditional decor. "They perfect buyer for this is also someone happy to spend more on a premium product with lasting appeal - and keen to avoid the childish nursery designs you often see on baby products."

Need an alternative?

While Anna found the DockATot nursing pillow helped her tummy scar, we named the Lansinoh Nursing Pillow the best to use after a C-section. Alternatively, the Widgey Feeding Pillow is a great budget buy. 

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British brand Joie is a household name when it comes to the baby world. Its car seats — including the Joie i-Spin 360 — are a true testament to that. We put this one to the test for our guide to the best car seats for babies. Here's the tester's in-depth review so you can see for yourself if it's the right car seat for your needs and budget.

• VIEW NOW | JOHN LEWIS - £230

This is a worthy contender if you're looking for a super comfortable car seat that you can use from birth until your child is four years old, and which prioritises the safety of your baby, along with their comfort.

Grace mentioned that her daughter hated being in a car seat prior to reviewing this one. "For a little while we thought the crying was because she was a newborn, and that's what newborns do," she explained. "But after some time we realised it was because she was uncomfortable in the position the seat forced her into. She was desperate to lean or sit forward, but unable to do so, she would get cranky and frustrated quickly.

"Unpacking the Joie i-Spin 360, in our living room, we could see immediately that it was going to suit her demands better. It has padding and cushioning in every nook and cranny, including a memory foam headrest, padded shoulder straps, and infant inserts that can be removed individually. The latter is a particularly clever offering, as you can adjust things little by little, as opposed to removing the baby insert all in one."

To put this seat to the test, Grace used it for a six-hour trip from Yorkshire to Devon with her daughter — and the outcome?

"She even fell asleep at one point on the way there, and for a couple of hours (with a stop off) on the way back. There was no squirming or straining."

Price and availability

At £230, this car seat sits in the middle of the pricing spectrum, but considering its brilliant safety features, rotating function, numerous recline functions, high-quality materials, and ease of use, it represents fair value for money.

Grace also believes this ticks all the boxes you would expect a premium car seat to have, just minus the price.

"Despite its cost, it's worth the investment when you factor in that it can be used for several years, has a generously sized seat, is comfortable, and has reliable safety features," Grace told us. "Plus it's ISOFIX compatible. It has everything I would expect for the price and a little more, like being able to tilt the car seat from the back seat while in motion, which I wouldn't have thought you'd be able to do."

Design and features

Weighs: 13.9 | Age: Birth to 4 years old

Along with the 360° rotating seat, which makes offloading and unloading your little traveller easier, it also has Guard Surround Safety panels that automatically extend when your baby is placed into the seat to provide all the cushioning and security they need.

Couple this with the clever memory foam Tri-Protect headrest and six recline positions and you can rest assured your precious cargo will travel safely and comfortably.  

It's important to note that not all car seats rotate for easy access and it's not essential for them to do so. But for Grace, having a 360° spin function was crucial and for good reason.

"I have chronic back pain and scoliosis which have gotten worse since pregnancy, and I am still recovering from symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) brought on by the pregnancy (thanks for sitting on my ribs for three months, my darling!).

"Lifting our daughter both in and out of the seat caused pain, and the prospect of having to repeat the motion for years to come was unappealing, to say the least. That being said, my husband and mum, the latter of whom we gratefully welcome as a babysitter once a week, really appreciate the spin function too. I will say, however, that while you can spin it one-handed, it isn't quite as smooth or light as the adverts or demos make it look. This isn't much of an issue, as it's still possible to do easily, but it would be remiss not to mention that it does need a bit of a tug to rotate."

Another design feature Grace praised was the clever tilting function, which enables little travellers to nap comfortably on the go.

"Once on its base, and even when the car is in motion, the car seat can be tilted backwards and forwards, with a total of six different recline settings," Grace explained. "We strapped our daughter in and went out for a little test drive, with my husband driving and me in the back. With a bit of practise, I figured out how to lean over with my seatbelt still on and lay her backwards and forwards. The buttons are a little stiff, and the motion is pretty jolty, so a very light touch and careful movements would be needed to lay baby back once they had fallen asleep, so as not to disturb them."

"That being said, our daughter looks more comfortable and settled than she ever has in her previous seat. She is also higher up, so can gaze out of the window. When she turns her head and the strap pads brush against her face, we can see they are soft and do not bother her."

How we tested

To test out this car seat, Grace used it as her main means of transporting her daughter for several weeks, using it daily as follows:

• Transported a seven-month-old baby in a standard family car using this seat, installed via ISOFIX anchor points according to manufacturer's guidelines.
• Used the seat for a minimum of two weeks for everyday transportation, which included a six-hour drive to from Yorkshire to Devon.
• Tested the seat rotation functionality, in particular, to see how easy it is to place the baby in and out of the car compared to a fixed seat.

Things you wouldn't find on the box

ISOFIX bases are often believed to be a bit of a faff to sort out. But Grace confirmed that the Joie i-Spin 360 is straightforward to set up and it took just ten minutes to do so. Despite the car seat looking huge in her living room when unboxing it and taking up a fair amount of space in the car, she said it's well worth the effort required.

"The Guard Surround Safety™ panels auto-engage when the harness is tightened," Grace told us. "All the padding, and the design of the seat, feel like she is truly cocooned, without being squashed or uncomfortable." But better yet? "It doesn't encroach into the middle seat or look like an eyesore. It looks great."

Grace did however find the straps a little tricky to loosen.

"It is simple to tighten them - just pull at the single strap at the bottom, centre edge," Grace said. "But initially we could not for the life of us figure out how to loosen them again."

With the manual in the house, the pair tugged away for five minutes, growing more and more frustrated. Eventually, Google helped to save the day.

"To loosen the straps, you must insert your fingers into the hole in the bottom centre of the car seat," Grace explained. "With your other hand, you must pull the straps, but importantly not by the padded section." This is where Grace was going wrong, as the seat pads don't move - only the actual straps underneath do. She added: "Once we figured this out, it is very easy to do, which is a relief."

Who's it best for?

Overall, this is for someone looking for comfort and safety for baby. But, as Grace tells us, it's also best for someone who's looking for back and arm care for themselves.

Grace adds: "Yes, I'd recommend this car seat to a friend, absolutely. It lasts for long enough to justify the cost, and you won't need to replace it at 12 months or four years, plus my daughter is far comfier and happier in it than she ever was in her old seat. I would buy this again, rather than looking for other options, if we got a second car, for example."

Need an alternative?

Luckily, there are loads of other 360° rotating seat options to choose from although the Joie i-Spin 360 is much more affordable than the Be Safe iZi Twist B-E iSize car seat, yet it doesn't feel like a budget buy. However for a more affordable car seat, check out the UPPAbaby Mesa i-Size Infant Car Seat which we also reviewed.

Looking for more options to help your precious cargo travel safely and securely? Discover the best convertible car seats for your baby, the best pram we've tried and tested this year or the best baby carrier to keep little ones close to you while on the go.

The Maxi Cosi Titan Pro i-Size featured in our guide to the best car seats based on our consumer tests - find out what our reviewer thought of it

• VIEW NOW | AMAZON - £269.99

From Side Impact Protection to its five-point safety harness with a magnetic buckle, the Maxi Cosi Titan Pro i-Size is a long-lasting car seat that's packed full of safety features.

Buy it if you want a convertible car seat you can use from toddlerhood to pre-teen that won't take up any more space than it needs to, thanks to its streamlined design.

The car seat offers clever safety features, longevity, and a smart look to boot. Lasting from 15 months to 12 years, the car seat offers G-CELL 2.0 Side Impact Protection to increase security in the event of a side impact, while breathable fabrics and additional ClimaFlow panels encourage airflow and circulation.

There are also AirProtect Safety Cushions on the headrest which not only bring additional comfort to your child but also reduce the risk of head injury by up to 20%. So it's fair to say that this seat is built with your child's safety in mind.

Price and availability

With a RRP of £269.99, this multi-stage car seat sits on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but considering its longevity, high-quality materials, ease of use and the fact that it meets the latest iSizei regulations, it represents fair value for money.

Our tester, Elisa, praised numerous aspects of the car seat, saying that although it’s a pricier option, it’s a “well-designed product” that “feels safe and sturdy and is easy to use”. 

“The seat is sturdy yet narrower than other seats that offer a similar level of protection for the same age group, and this means it fits more comfortably into smaller cars, or cars carrying multiple travellers,” she added.

“The materials are high quality and the seat is very well made - it is very sturdy. The seat is ergonomic and easy to use and children of all ages are comfortable. The recline feature provides further comfort for your child and aids in sleeping during travel. I also like the design: the seat looks very smart.”

Design and features

Weighs: 12.5 kg | Age: 15 months to 12 years

Available in grey or black, the Titan Pro i-Size has a simple, streamlined and sleek look. In addition to its ClimaFlow panels to encourage airflow and its comfy, headrest AirProtect Safety Cushions, the seat also offers four different recline positions for kids under four, plus an easy five-point safety harness with a magnetic buckle and Isofix installation for ease of use.

Elisa found the car seat easy to use and appreciated its additional safety features and high-quality materials.

“Subtle features like the smart design, the luxe feel of the fabric, and the sturdiness of the seat imply that it is built using premium materials and to an overall high standard,” she told us.

“The G-CELL 2.0 side impact protection, a safety feature using new technology, is the main draw for buying the Maxi-Cosi Titan Pro i-size," Elisa added. "The ease of use is another draw, especially when caring for small children. Isofix clips can sometimes be very fiddly and difficult to detach, but not with this car seat. The Isofix clips attach and detach easily; there is a particular method with the clips, but once you have that worked out it’s very easy to unclip them."

Another selling point for Elisa was how comfortable both of her children felt in the Maxi-Cosi Titan Pro i-Size. She also noted that the seat isn’t too bulky, making it suitable for families with smaller cars.

“The four recline positions are very slight, but when it's reclined fully the child is in an ideal and comfortable sleeping position for a short nap,” she explained.

“Our 15-month-old was very snug and secure, the shoulder pads were appropriately wide and the five-point harness waist belts fitted perfectly. Similarly, our seven-year-old daughter was very secure and comfortable in the seat. The headrest is designed in a way that holds a child’s head securely with a suitable degree of restraint in the centre."

How we tested

To put this car seat to the test, Elisa used it as her main means of transporting her two children for a minimum of three weeks, using it daily in her family vehicle for all the usual trips out of the house in the car.

Things you won't find on the box

As many parents will agree, safety will most likely be at the top of the list when it comes to deciding which car seat to choose. But it's one area the Maxi Cosi Titan Pro i-Size Car Seat certainly doesn't skimp on. Better yet, securing your little one into this seat - and making sure they stay there safely - is easy.

Elisa tells us: “The five-point harness is very easy to adjust and fasten, and is designed in a way that would make it very hard for younger children to slip their arms out of." While if you are changing the seat from toddler to child setup, Elisa said it was "very straightforward" and took "just a couple of minutes.”

Who's it best for?

Got a small car? Or if your vehicle always full? This could be the perfect car seat for you.

“Another plus is the narrower width of the seat," Elisa tells us. "Comparing it to other similar seats, it fits more comfortably into smaller cars, or in cars carrying multiple travellers. At its widest point of 47cm, it's several centimetres narrower than other brands.”

Need an alternative?

In our guide to the best convertible car seats, we reviewed options that are priced at just under £150 to around £500. So, standing at just under £300, this puts the Maxi Cosi Titan on the more expensive side of car seats. However when compared to the Silver Cross Rise by Tinie Motion All Size Car Seat, it's much more affordable — but it certainly doesn't feel like a cheap option.

If you'd like to spend a little less, the Ickle Bubba Radial Group 0+/1/2 360 Spin Isofix Car Seat, which came top in our guide, is worth considering.

Looking for more options to help your precious cargo travel safely and securely? Discover the best car seats for your baby, the best pram we've tried and tested this year or the best baby carrier to keep little ones close to you while on the go.

We tested the newest model of the Snuzpod4 bedside crib to see how it compares to its predecessors and other competitors in the cotbed market. 

The SnuzPod4 is a 3-in-1 sleep station and can be used as a bedside crib, a standalone cot or a bassinet that can easily be lifted off the base and used around the house, like a Moses basket. It's suitable from birth and comes with a 'reflux leg', which helps suffering newborns lie inclined for short periods. This model differs from previous SnuzPods, as it features a new ComfortAir system.

It's a great option for parents who expect a lot from their cot as it can work in several ways. It's also handy if you've a baby suffering from reflux or one that likes to be rocked. 

If you're looking for the best cotbed for your baby or toddler, the Snuzpod4 is a worthy contender.

• VIEW NOW AT AMAZON

The latest version of the SnuzPod4 features a new ComfortAir system. This is a combination of new air-flow vents, an air-permeable mesh liner, and better ventilation underneath the bassinet to allow more airflow around your baby. It also includes a breathable mattress. The result is a breathable and super-soft sleeping space that you can be confident meets new bedside crib safety standards.

The latest model has also been upgraded so that it fits to more beds than any other bedside crib. "I had Freddie beside me in the SnuzPod until she was around three months old, but then I decided to reposition it further away from the bed as a standalone crib," said Anna. "It’s super-easy to convert."

"I love that you can rock the SnuzPod4. We’ve done this a few times, and it’s had the desired effect by helping Freddie nod off when she was on the very edge of falling asleep. We’ve also used it when she looked like she was starting to stir, and it gave us just a few more minutes of peace."  

Price and availability

The SnuzPod4 retails at £199 on the likes of Amazon. As it's the latest model, you'll find it difficult to find it on offer anywhere. 

While it's not cheap, it can be used in three different configurations, meaning you will make good use out of it. "It's a big initial outlay but it's been designed so that you can use it all around the house," said Anna. "I think the rocking motion and new innovations that they've added make it worth the price tag."

Design and features

Weighs: 11.5kg | Age: Birth - six months

The SnuzPod4 cuts an impressive figure when it comes to design. "The SnuzPod4 frame feels very solid and secure, and it’s reassuring to know the bassinet has great airflow, with a breathable liner, mesh sides, and mattress," said Anna.  

"To meet new safety standards, the zip-down mesh on the side of the crib no longer comes all the way down (as it does with the SnuzPod3) - it stops halfway. But, as the top of the zip should be level with the mattress it doesn’t make much difference - I could still see and reach out to my baby, she's just a bit lower."

While the safety advice states the zip-up should be closed when your baby is asleep or unsupervised, Anna found she kept it up most of the time, "as I was worried my dog might try and get in (turned out he wasn’t that interested). But even closed, I could still see my baby through the mesh".

The SnuzPod4 comes in various different colours, including natural wood, white, black and navy blue. Anna tested out the light grey option (or ‘Dove’ as it’s properly named). 

"I love the modern and sleek look of the crib. Although solid, the frame doesn’t feel too bulky - and, overall it feels compact but spacious enough for my daughter." 

The SnuzPod4 comes with four straps, but you don’t need them all. The two longer ones are for attaching to a divan bed, and the other two shorter ones are for securing to a bed frame. 

"We have the latter. We positioned a strap in each corner of the side facing the bed, and simply looped around the bed frame and clipped," said Anna. "Be careful not to pull it too tight, as you don’t want it to tilt towards the bed. Note that when the SnuzPod4 is attached to your bed, you can’t rock it. But you can still remove the bassinet." 

How we tested

• Assembled it from scratch to see how easy it is to put together.
• Used the SnuzPod4 for three months, for both naps and night-time sleep.
• Tested out all the features inc. djusting the height and using the storage canopy.

Things you won't find on the box

Assembling the SnuzPod4 took Anna about an hour but it was just a case of following the instructions. 

"It comes with step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. It wasn’t difficult to assemble, but it did require concentration. There are around 30 pieces, and everything comes in one box. You don’t need any extra screws or even a screwdriver, as the bolts and an Allen key are included."

As her baby has got bigger, Anna has adapted how she uses the SnuzPod4. "Recently, we moved the SnuzPod4 away from the bed and now use it as a standalone crib. I loved having this option once she started needing fewer feeds in the nights - and we all began sleeping for longer stretches. Although it was great having her next to me to begin with, I’m now enjoying being able to get out of bed more easily." 

In terms of negatives, Anna found it difficult to think of anything. "The only thing I’d improve would be the bottom storage canopy, which is very flimsy. If you put anything heavier on it than a few blankets, it dips down to the floor."

Who's it best for

Anna thought that the SnuzPod4 would suit tired parents who were anxious to keep their babies safe and close by at night. 

"The new advances with this latest model are really impressive, and make me feel like Snuz are always trying to improve and offer babies (and parents) the best-quality," she said. 

The SnuzPod4's stylish aesthetics also make it a hit for those who want a bedside crib that isn't going to detract from the rest of their decor. Its high price point means it's not really a budget buy. 

Need an alternative?

If you're after a more contemporary style of cot bed, you might find our review of La Redoute's Willox Cotbed useful.

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

We tested out the Stokke Tripp Trapp newborn set to see what it offered that was different to similar highchair designs on the market. 

The big selling point of this newborn set is that it's been designed so that newborns can sit up at the table with their parents and other siblings. It has a supportive design and five-point harness to ensure that they are safe at all times. Like all Tripp Trapp designs, it also grows with your baby, so you'll get plenty of use out of it. 

If you're looking for the best highchair for your baby, this product is a worthy contender. But if you're really after something a little cheaper, you may prefer the Mamas & Papas Juice highchair.

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The Tripp Trapp newborn set is a new version of Stokke's famous highchair. 

"I’ve always loved the Tripp Trapp - it’s such a classic and iconic design. I love how it grows with your child and can be used literally from birth to adulthood. It's been so ahead of the times for sustainability," said Anna. 

The newborn Tripp Trapp allows you to sit your baby up at the table, via a clever five-point harness. 

"The seat needs to be completely flat for babies aged 0 months - but can easily be inclined when they reach two months. You just squeeze the lever, which is positioned behind the foot-rest," added Anna.  

"Freddie is our only child, but I can imagine this would be even more useful if you had other children and wanted to keep up any routine you might have with sitting around the table," added Anna.  

Price and availability

Stokke's Tripp Trapp newborn set is currently selling on Amazon for its RRP of £348. This is a premium product and it doesn't come cheap but is it worth the investment? Anna thought so. 

"You're paying for years of use," she said. "Stokke has designed this highchair so it can be used from birth through toddlerhood and even into adulthood. It's a steep initial layout but then you'll never have to buy another chair ever again."

It's also a stylish, well-made piece of wooden furniture that complements most decors and colour palettes. "This is a beautifully crafted piece of baby kit," added Anna.

Design and features

Weighs: 6.47kg | Age: Birth - adulthood

The Tripp Trapp newborn set consists of the classic Tripp Trapp chair with a newborn insert seat. "I was a bit nervous about using this when Freddie was very tiny and worried about fitting it safely - but it couldn’t be easier. It just slots on the back of the chair and handy colour indicators on both sides let you know if it's positioned correctly (green) or not (red)," said Anna. 

"The five-way harness (with two adjustable shoulder straps, two around the hips and one between the legs) makes her feel very safe and secure."

Once she'd got over her initial reservations, Anna found she even missed the chair when she didn't have it. "When we visited people and we didn’t have this with us, Freddie sat on my lap - which is fine, but not ideal, or, on the floor in her car seat - so she felt really excluded and I didn’t want to leave her there for too long, especially if she dozed off," said Anna. "But she’s very happy and safe sitting and sleeping in the newborn set (especially as it reclines for naps)." 

How we tested

• Tested the Tripp Trapp and newborn set for several weeks with a newborn.
• Tried out all the features to see what set this product apart from others.
• Noted how easy it was to assemble, clean and move.

Things you won't find on the box

Anna found that Stokke has added some nice little additions to the Tripp Trapp newborn set.  "The attachment for toys has also been really useful, and has helped keep Freddie entertained while we’ve been busy eating (and chatting). Having the mobile above her is genius, as any other toys we’ve given her have ended up on the floor in seconds - so this ensured she’s always got something to play with right in front of her," said Anna. 

As newborns aren't the neatest of creatures, Anna also found the fact that the newborn set is washable really useful. "It’s also so handy that the liner and the straps can all be removed and washed at 40 C."

In terms of negatives, Anna could only think of one (minor) thing: "I struggled to think of a downside," she said. "The only problem I could think of was storing it for another baby - as it’s a pretty awkward size and shape to box up. It would be great if it came with a storage bag and/or a carry bag in case you wanted to visit someone else with a Tripp Trapp."

Who's it best for

Anna thought that this newborn set would suit someone who wasn't on a budget and wanted "a chic design that would blend in with their adult furniture".

It is also a useful highchair if you have older children and want your newborn to be included at mealtimes. "As this high chair can be adapted as your baby grows, this chair would also suit someone looking for longevity from their highchair design."

Need an alternative?

The Stokke Tripp Trapp might get the thumbs up from our reviewer but it doesn't come cheap. For a more reasonably priced highchair, check out the Mamas & Papas' Juice. 

Looking for more baby equipment? Check out our buying guides for the best convertible car seats or the best Moses baskets.

We tested out the Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin to see how it compared to others available and to ascertain whether it was a genuinely useful piece of baby kit. 

The Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin promises to lock away nasty odours and germs using a clever twist and click lid mechanism. It's a popular nappy bin amongst new parents and especially suits those who live in flats and don't want to be taking nappies up and down stairs to dustbins - or those with pets who need nappies safely locked away.  

This nappy bin is certainly a newborn essential for many parents, but check out what else is on the list. 

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The Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin has been designed to help parents who don't want to be constantly running out to a dustbin to dispose of soiled nappies. 

It uses a clever twist-and-click system so that the nappies are twisted into a plastic lining and stored like sausages, locking the nappies and any smells away, underneath its lid. 

Once the nappy bin is full, the lining is ripped off and the used nappies can be disposed of in one go in a dustbin. The new plastic lining is then fed into the system and the bin is ready to be used again. 

Price and availability

The Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin is currently being sold as a starter set with six cassettes on Amazon for £28.66, a discount of 33% on its usual RRP of £42.99.

Anna had no qualms over the price. "It’s the must-have item of its kind and has a better design and price point than other competitor products," she said. 

As well as the initial outlay, it's important to remember that you will need to buy replacement cartridges which work out at about £15 for three. 

"It’s an added expense having to keep buying replacement cartridges," admitted Anna.

While she thought you could buy nappy bins that were cheaper, she thought that this Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin deserved our 'best buy' award for its design appeal and clever functionality.

Design and features

Weighs: 2.5kg | Age: Birth to 3 years (or when out of nappies)

The Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin has a sleek look and comes in both standard and extra-large sizes. 

"I like the modern, minimalist, and functional design," said Anna. "It's great if you want to avoid a cluttered look and it doesn’t look like your typical bathroom bin - so it wouldn’t look out of place in a nursery or bedroom. We had the white version, which suited our decor - but it comes in a range of colours." 

This is a manual bin that locks nappies away with a simple turn-and-click system. You just open the lid, pop the nappy inside the basket and turn the cartridge around (there’s a little handle), which twists the nappy bag to seal in germs and odours. 

"When you close the lid, the plunger pushes the nappy down and out of sight. When you empty it, you’ll find a row of nappies - a bit like a string of sausages - all attached but twisted up between," added Anna.

"When I heard it had cartridges, I thought it would have some kind of electrical element - but it doesn’t. No main power or batteries needed."

The nappy bin is a decent size so you don't have to be constantly emptying it - plus, as it locks away the smell, you can leave it for several days.

How we tested

• Tested out the nappy bin for several weeks of naily (and nightly) nappy changes
• Noted how easy it was to use and how often we needed to empty it
• Tested how easy the cartridges were to replace

Things you won't find on the box

Anna found the nappy bin "really easy to use" and said it easily lived up to its promise of locking up odours after nappy changes. 

"We have ours upstairs, and only use it a couple of times at night as we mostly change Freddie downstairs during the day," she added.  

"Leaving nappies around (even for a few minutes) isn’t an option for us, as we have a very nosy dog who has free rein of the house 24/7 and is interested in everything. The nappy bin has saved so many trips downstairs in the night."

While Anna found a lot to recommend this bin, she did find the lid could be irritating. 

"The only inconvenience is the lid, which can be quite tricky to open - especially one-handed," she said. "In an ideal world, it would be great if you could somehow open it hands-free."

Who's it best for

Anna said she'd definitely recommend this nappy bin to friends for its stylish look and how effective it was at locking away odours. 

"This nappy bin is suitable for anyone who loves a clean and clutter-free home and is looking to make life easier with a baby," she added. "It’s especially useful if you live in a flat and not on the ground floor, or you often change your little one upstairs, as it saves endless trips outside to the dustbin after every single nappy change."

Need an alternative?

If you prefer a more environmentally friendly option than disposable nappies, check out our Reusable Nappies Buying Guide.

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

We tested the Joie Roomie Glide to see how it compared in terms of value, design and functionality with other bedside cribs. 

The Joie Roomie Glide next-to-me crib is a stylish and secure sleeping option for your baby. It's suitable from 0-6 months and is designed to facilitate beside-bed sleeping, so that your baby is within easy reach and yet has their own sleeping space. If you're looking for the best bedside crib for your baby, this product is a worthy contender.

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The core feature of the Joie Roomie Glide is its smooth, gliding motion that helps lull your baby back to sleep. 

"The gliding motion makes this a brilliant buy in my opinion," said Roanna. "It's also roomy and well built so you feel totally secure leaving your baby to sleep in it."

As it's designed to stand next to your bed, it also has useful features such as an adjustable height and a side that can easily be lowered in the middle of the night. This design does mean that, while brilliant for newborns, once your baby turns six months, you'll need to move them into a bigger cot. 

Price & availability

The Joie Roomie Glide is currently for sale at John Lewis for its RRP of £160, a good price for a cotbed with several innovative features. 

"[It's] definitely one of the more affordable options," says Roanna. "I think, for its quality and ease of use, it makes a brilliant budget buy."

Roanna also thought it was well priced for its stylish good looks and gliding features. 

One issue that's worth flagging is, while the Joie Roomie Glide is great for newborns, once a baby turns six months, usually around the time that they move into their own room, you'll need to invest in a second cotbed, making it not quite as good value as cotbeds that can be adapted to older babies and even toddlers. 

Design & features

Weighs: 8.6kg | Age: Birth - six months

The Joie Roomie Glide cotbed won Roanna over straight away with its good looks. 

"The cot's design is hugely appealing as its stylish, grey, minimalist look will suit most modern homes and won't look too garish in your bedroom," she said.

"The cot has two buttons which when pressed release the cot to glide safely from side to side. This smooth rocking motion is a brilliant aid in soothing your baby back to sleep."

Other innovations include its height adjustable legs that "suit the height of a wide range of beds" and "mean you can line up the cot's mattress with your own". 

The Joie Roomie Glide also has an easily collapsible side: "Simply press one button to slide down the cot side, making it very easy to pick up your baby in the night or soothe them by reaching in," said Roanna. 

How we tested

• Tested how easy the cotbed was to assemble.
• Used the cotbed for two weeks, for both naps and night-times.
• Tested out the different features to see which were genuinely useful and which were gimmicks. 

Things you won't find on the box

Roanna liked all the innovations that came with the Roomie Glide and found no problems assembling it and then making use of its many innovations.  

"Everything about the Joie cot was easy to figure out and simple to use," she said.  

"The intuitive design has clearly taken tired parents into account and everything from lowering the slide to gliding the cot is really easy."

The only issue she did have with this cotbed was with disassembling it and found it "tricky to take down". 

Who's it best for

Roanna thought that this cot was best suited to "a style-conscious parent, looking for a good, affordable buy."

As it's a next-to-me cotbed, it would also suit parents keen to have easy access to their little ones in the night. 

The Joie Roomie Glide has a limited lifespan of six months, so it would also be a good buy if you planned to invest in a second cot as your baby gets bigger.

Need an alternative?

If you're after a more traditional-style cotbed, read our review of La Redoute's Willox Cotbed.

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

We tested the BabyBjorn Harmony carrier to see how it compared with similar products on the market and whether it justified its £200-plus price tag. 

BabyBjorn is renowned for its carriers so when the brand launches a new model, parents sit up and take notice. The Harmony certainly doesn't disappoint. With a mesh lining to prevent overheating and numerous adjustable straps, giving parents the ability to carry newborns and toddlers, it certainly seems good on paper.  

If you're looking for the best baby carrier, then the Harmony is a serious option. Alternatively, you might prefer a less-bulky sling, in which case, read our review of the Dreamgenii Snuggleroo Baby Carrier.

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Newborns might be tiny at first but they grow exceptionally quickly and this is what the BabyBjorn Harmony Carrier has been designed for. It comes with multiple straps that can all be adjusted so, as your baby puts on weight, they remain comfortable and supported, as does your back. 

"It's a really comfortable design so you don't feel the full weight of your baby at all, so can carry them for long periods," said our tester Yvette. 

The carrier has been created to hold both tiny babies and larger toddlers - it's just a case of adjusting the straps in the right places, something that, admittedly, took Yvette some time to work out.

"The carrier is lightweight and, while an expensive model, I believe is really good value for money if using from newborn."

Price & availability

The BabyBjorn Harmony Carrier retails at just over £200 on Amazon, making it a pricey piece of kit. Yvette felt like this price tag was justified, however, because you can use it for several years as your baby grows.   

"If you want to take a baby out for walks without the pram then this is an excellent carrier," she said. "Also, you can use it from newborn to toddler, meaning you can really get good use out of it!"

"This is not a budget-buy product, it is a premium design, though you could get good wear out of it," she said. "It's probably one of the more expensive carriers out there but it could see you through a really long time with your baby/child with just a few simple adjustments."

Design & features

Weighs: 3.2 kg | Age: From birth to 15 kgs  

It's obvious from first inspection that the Baby Bjorn Harmony Carrier boasts a really good quality design. Yvette tested the navy colourway which she thought was "chic" but the carrier also comes in black or grey.

"The breathable mesh material means neither you or baby get overheated, which is ideal especially in the summer months," said Yvette.  

This mesh lining also means that the carrier is incredibly lightweight (in fact it weighs just over 3 kg) so, unless you're carrying a brand new baby, the majority of the weight comes from the child themselves. 

The standout design feature for Yvette were the clips that you use to position your baby before carrying them. You can carry them front or forward-facing, as well as on your back. 

"The secure clips are brilliant. There's not a risk of nipping any fingers, like traditional clips, and, while they feel secure, they can be easily hooked off which is particularly ideal for transferring a sleeping baby out!" 

That said, Yvette did find it all initially a bit confusing. "[It] has quite a few clips to secure baby in compared to other carriers so you need to understand how the carrier works before trying to put you baby in it."

How we tested

• Used the carrier for two weeks for sustained and shorter periods of time.
• Tested the carrier out on several people, so we could see how easy it was to adjust to different body shapes. 
• Noted down all the features and decided which were genuinely useful and which were gimmicks. 

Things you won't find on the box

So what was the BabyBjorn Harmony Carrier like to use in practice? 

"While the adjustments can be a bit confusing initially, once you've set up the carrier to fit to you and your baby it is really easy to use," said Yvette.

"There are so many different adjustments you can make, like the waist support, shoulder support, baby leg support, as well as being front facing, forward facing, or on the back. That means this carrier can be used from newborn up until toddler age, and you don't feel like it is a chore to carry your little one around, even for long periods of time."

When asked to think of a negative for the carrier, Yvette admitted it was "hard to think" of one.  

"It might feel bulky if you wanted to use it around the house. [I'd] opt for a simpler design or sling," she admitted. 

Who's it best for

Yvette thought that this baby carrier would suit "someone active, who is looking to invest in a functional carrier that will see them through their baby's first couple of years". 

She thought the design was better off for long, country walks than using around the house as it was a little on the bulky, padded side. For the latter, she thought a sling might work better.

The Harmony doesn't come cheap so if you're on a budget or don't plan to use it very often, you might be better suited to a different, less expensive model. 

Need an alternative?

If you're after a baby carrier that's a little less expensive, read our review of the Nuna Cudl, which we named our Best Buy in our Best Baby Carriers Buyers Guide. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a sling, take a look at the Dreamgenii Snuggleroo. 

Looking for more baby kit? Get expert advice and see real-life reviews of the best convertible car seats or the best cot beds.

Featuring award-winning designs that grow as your child does, plus customisable features and clever Isofix technology for easy installation, the Nuna AACE lx is one car seat parents need to have on their radar. It also features in our guide to the best convertible car seats based on feedback from our parent tester.

• VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £269.99

If your kids have passed the baby stage and you’re looking for a car seat to suit older children, step in the AACE lx from trusted baby brand Nuna. Designed to fit children between 100 and 150cm tall, the car seat offers plenty of adaptability and customisation to make life both easier for parents and more comfortable for children. 

The Nuna Aace lx is a versatile, sturdy, and stylish car seat suitable right up until they reach 12 years old. It's customisable and puts your little one's safety first thanks to the clever Isofix technology which tells you when the seat is properly secured.

This includes a custom recline adjustable to your child and vehicle seat, a one-hand, 17-position height adjustment headrest, and three depth settings to give growing legs plenty of support and space. There are lots of other aspects to like about it too, from its cosy natural cotton blend fabric to keep kids comfy, to its detachable side impact protection pod for extra safety. 

Price and availability

At £200, we agree with our tester that this car seat offers excellent value for money, especially considering how many more years she can expect to continue using it. "Based on the design, safety elements, and comfort for children, the £200 price point is very competitive and certainly great value," Helen told us.

"With child safety as a priority, this seat would appeal to every parent or carer," she adds. "The fact you can use the seat from pre-school to pre-teen makes the price point great value - and means you'll never have to shop for a car seat again."

"If aesthetics is of importance, the design of the Nuna Aace lx with its slimline look would be attractive. Both children loved the seat and it will be great to use it for each of them."

Helen adds: "The fact the Nuna Aace lx can be used from Isobel’s height now to when she is 12, means this is an excellent value seat."

Design and features

Weighs: 6.7 kg | Age: Four to 12 years old 

Available in four smart colourways (Ocean, Frost, Caviar and Coral), the Nuna Aace lx has a simple but sleek look. Helen was impressed not just by the attractive design of the seat, but by how easy it is to install too. 

"I really like the look of the Nuna Aace lx," Helen told us. "The brand uses a herringbone material on the side, giving the seat a premium appearance, and the slimline design ensures it doesn’t look too cumbersome in the car." In addition, Helen said it looked comfortable for the children to sit in, which, of course, is the priority.

She added: "The Nuna Aace lx uses Isofix technology which I definitely feel more comfortable with using than a seatbelt-secured car seat. The connector on the Isofix turns green to show it is properly secured. This puts my mind at rest that the seat is positioned safely."

Helen has a mid-size SUV and said the Nuna Aace lx easily fits into the car’s built-in ISOFIX connectors. "The seat didn’t require any assembly," she told us. "The Iso connector is already fixed to the seat and it took less than a minute to secure the seat in the car."

It is worth noting that you can still use the seat without Isofix, using the car seatbelt instead. Which, Helen said: "That's useful to know when traveling in a different vehicle, such as a rental car or with a grandparent or other carer."

With two children of different ages and sizes between the recommended 100cm and 150cm, Helen was curious to know if the seat would be easily adaptable for each of her kids’ needs and was pleased to find that it was simple to use, as well as comfortable for her little ones.

"The USP of this car seat is the award-winning 3D growth™ system technology,' she told us. 'It’s a simple, yet innovative design which we fully put to the test using both our children, aged two and five."

The seat adjusts as your child gets older and taller, with a height-adjustable headrest that can be set to 17 positions. The seat’s shoulder system is connected to the headrest and works simultaneously as you adjust the height to fit your child.

"I was impressed that there are three depths to the seat, providing plenty of support beneath the legs," Helen says. "Finn measures 127cm in height and he said it was very comfortable. The seat bed extends out to just behind his knees, which is ideal for good support."

How we tested

To put this car seat to the test, Helen used it as her main means of transporting her two children for at least two weeks, using it daily as follows:

• Separately transported a two-year-old and five-year-old in a standard SUV family car using this seat and used the ISOFIX anchor points according to manufacturer's guidelines.
• Used the seat for a minimum of two weeks for everyday transportation, which included driving everywhere from the school run to trips to see friends and family.
• Tested the seat's customisability, testing for how easy it is to adjust the product from one child's level of comfort to the other.

Things you wouldn't find on the box

Having used this car seat for two solid weeks on both her two-year-old daughter Isobel and five-year-old son, Finn, Helen found that this car seat excelled in many aspects.

For starters, its customisable design meant it could be adjusted for both her children. She also highly rated the safety.

"Because the seat itself is not overly chunky, this means there is still enough leg room for Finn to move and stretch his legs behind the passenger seat in front," Helen said. "The seat of the Nuna Aace lx sits flush with the car seat cushion, which also means it feels very secure once fixed in place."

Helen also liked the fact that the seat reclines, which gave Finn the option to nap on long car journeys. However, note that our tester used this in an SUV and said the car seat might be too clunky to recline in smaller cars.

"Something our previous car seat lacked was the ability to recline, but the Nuna Aace lx has a slight reclining function, which is a definite plus for long car journeys," she adds.

"The recline isn’t huge, but Finn has been able to sleep in the car. The ability to lean back, even a little bit, has made a big difference. The headrest is large enough to act as a pillow without being so big that Finn can’t easily look out of the window."

Who's it best for?

Suitable for children from the age of four to 12 years old, or taller children who are between 100cm to 150cm in length, our tester would happily buy this seat and recommends it to parents who are looking for a safe, sturdy and reliable convertible car seat for those who match the suitability criteria.

If we had to pin down some negatives, we'd say that this car seat can be tricky to fit using a seatbelt. So if your car hasn't got ISOFIX anchor points this might not be the best convertible car seat for you. Its recline is also not suitable for smaller cars.

Need an alternative?

In the world of convertible car seats, the Nuna Aace lx ranks as a mid-priced option. In our guide to the best convertible car seats, we reviewed options that are priced at just under £150 to almost £500.

So in the grand scheme of things, the Nuna Aace lx is cheap compared to the Silver Cross Motion All Size i-Size Car Seat but it certainly doesn't feel like a budget buy. If you're after a car seat that rotates, the Joie i-Spin XL car seat is a good option for you to consider. Along with spinning 360°, the car seat can be used from birth right up to the age of 12.

Looking for more options to help your precious cargo travel safely and securely? Discover the best car seats for your baby, the best pram we've tried and tested this year or the best baby carrier to keep little ones close to you while on the go.

We tested out the Haus Projekt Baby Walker to see how it starts babies walking and keeps them entertained. 

This attractive, pastel-hued toy will appeal to parents who prefer plastic-free alternatives that still engage. It's a great way of encouraging your child to stand up but it also offers a collection of toys for them to enjoy when they're not trying to walk. 

If you're looking for the Best Baby Walker out there, we think the Haus Projekt is a worthy contender. However, for more interactive features, you might prefer the Vtech First Steps Baby Walker, which we named our Best Buy.

The first thing you notice about the Haus Projekt Walker is how incredibly light and easy to push it is. It's been designed to encourage little ones into taking their first steps towards their first steps - and it really works. 

"Until we had this walker to review, Seb wasn't really showing any interest in pulling himself up, but within a couple of days, he realised that he could hold on to the top bar of the walker, and from that moment he was off," said Charlie. 

While its price tag isn't cheap, Charlie thought the Haus Projekt was a savvy purchase.

"With all the activities and the option of using it as a walker, this would suit a wide age range of babies so would be a good investment as they won't be bored of it after five minutes," she said. 

Price & availability

The RRP of the Haus Projekt Walker is £60 which is more than some other walkers on the market. The likes of Amazon and Kidly stock the walker but it's rarely on offer. 

Charlie thought it was worth its price tag. "I think the design and all the features it has make it well worth the money - it would be a lovely gift for someone too," she said. 

She thought that its range of toys and the fact it could be used with both younger babies and older toddlers added to its value. "It's quite pricey for a walker but it's made to a really high standard and would last a baby a long time, as there's so many different things to use and to play with, so I think it works out to be good value."

Design & features

Weighs: 2.98kg | Age: 1-3 years

The Haus Projekt Walker has been created in a typically stylish, Scandi design. 

"Aesthetically, it looks really lovely with pastel shades and natural wood," said Charlie. "So many baby toys are bright, plasticky and primary colours and, while I have a lot of these toys and have nothing against them, it was refreshing to have something that not only was really enjoyable for babies but I also enjoyed looking at!".

These good looks were backed up with functionality as there is a vast array of activities for little ones, including cogs, flaps, beads and musical instruments. 

"There's a little xylophone (although Seb mostly enjoys chewing on the stick to play it with), cogs to turn, a little door that opens and closes, a spinning bear/leaf, a small corrugated block, some abacus beads, a spinning mirror, three holes for shapes to go through, and a wooden hexagon that you can move along a 'track'," said Charlie. 

"They've all been designed to encourage babies' cognitive development, and it's great that you can leave your little one in front of it and they'll be captivated for ages - super handy if you want to have a sneaky coffee while they play!" 

Charlie has really noticed the effects of having the Haus Projekt around and credits it with helping Seb towards walking. 

"I love how much this walker has helped his development in such a short space of time, and it's great for pre-walkers who might just need a little bit of encouragement to understand that they can use their weight to pull themselves up." 

How we tested

• Tested out the product with a baby for two weeks.
• Assembled the product, noting how easy this was and how long it took.
• Made use of all the product's features and tested to see which were genuinely useful, and which were gimmicks.

Things you won't find on the box

When the Haus Projekt Walker arrived, Charlie had absolutely no problem in assembling it. 

"It was really easy to put together and comes equipped with a pretty good little screwdriver and Allen key, so I was able to assemble it all in about five minutes, and then we were ready to go!"

She found the walker light compared to others and, while this meant it was easier for Seb to push, it also meant that there was a chance that the baby could pull it over once they got bigger and stronger. 

"The walker is quite lightweight so it's easy for a baby to push along once they're standing with it. For us, we hold onto it so Seb can practise walking but we don't let go."

Who's it best for?

Charlie thought the Haus Projekt Walker would suit "someone who likes functionality but also appreciates stylish aesthetics and wants something a little bit different to the plastic walkers on the market".

And she's already recommended it to friends. "Seb learned to pull himself up using this walker, so for friends with babies of a similar age I've recommended it as a way to encourage their babies' development," she said. "It looks great, has lots to keep babies (and parents!) occupied and is suitable for pre-walkers and walkers alike, so it's a toy that'll last a long time."

This one is also great if you're not a fan of noisy toys - it has no musical features to annoy you and doesn't require batteries.

Need an alternative?

If you'd prefer a walker with lights and sound, read our review of the Babymoov 5-in1 Progressive Walker, or Vtech's First Steps Walker is a slightly cheaper option and was named the Best Buy in our Best Baby Walkers Buying Guide.

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We tested the Rainbow Cloud Walker by Le Toy Van to see how appealing it was as a walker to both parents and babies. 

This is a bright, colourful wooden toy is filled with wooden bricks that can be taken out and played with or, alternatively, used to steady and weigh down the walker. It's an aesthetically pleasing toy that will appeal to style-conscious parents, but there's plenty for babies too. They'll love the interactive element of this walker, taking the bricks in and out, and then using them to build towers, helping their imaginations and fine motor skills flourish. 

If you're looking for the best baby walker, the Rainbow Cloud Walker is a serious contender. However, for more interactive features, you might prefer the Vtech First Steps Baby Walker, which we named our Best Buy.

Beautiful and engaging toys for babies and young children aren't always easy to come by, especially those that eschew plastic frames or parts entirely. 

The Petilou Wooden Educational Rainbow Cloud Walker Toy, from Le Toy Van, however, ticks all of these boxes and is absolutely lovely to look at too! 

"My 11-month-old daughter beams the first time she sees it," said Grace. 

"As she is still finding her confidence in walking, she gets to work sat down, lifting out every single block, one by one."

Price & availability

The Rainbow Cloud Walker is available to buy from Le Toy Van's own website, as well as retailers such as Amazon and Selfridge's. As you'd expect from a quality, wooden product, it's not a budget buy and retails at between £70-£80. So is it worth its price tag? 

Grace thought so. "It's dual use, as both a walker and a toy, thanks to the building blocks," she said. "Overall, I would definitely recommend this walker; as long as you aren't after something that is going to stay utterly pristine, it should tick all, if your not most, of your boxes." 

Design & features

Weighs: 4.07kg | Age: 1-5 years  

Made up of a narrow white wooden frame with four wooden wheels, the central base of the Rainbow Cloud Walker holds 45 multi-coloured blocks of varying shapes and sizes.

This is a colourful piece of kit but it manages to be fun and bright, without being too garish. "There is also the reassurance of non-toxic paints, and sustainable materials for eco-conscious parents," added Grace.  

Grace thought "combining the blocks with the walker was a smart move (if you'll forgive the pun!) on Le Toy Van's part. Not only does it make it a dual-use product, the blocks themselves steady the walker and make it heavier," she said. "It's important to note, however, then even when they are all removed, it does not tip easily."

She found the walker easy to manoeuvre and a neater, smaller size than many others on the market: "I also liked how narrow and compact the walker is; those with less space or narrower hallways and doorways at home needn’t worry about trapped fingers or scuffed paint work! There are also no sharp edges thanks to various curved pieces, including the frame and the cloud design along the top of the tray." 

"It's fantastic for her motor skills, the variety of colours means it keeps her engaged, and the different shapes are great for her development too. She enjoys knocking them together, offering them to me, and of course putting them in her mouth, which thanks to the non-toxic paint I can let her do. I build a few towers for her, which she gleefully knocks down. I know in time she'll love building her own towers- and I'll do my best not to get my revenge!"

There was a little downside that Grace noted: "I do notice that her banging the blocks against the wooden frame and base dints it almost instantly, and there is some colour transfer between blocks, particularly the darker colours against the lighter ones. Of course, this is the nature of wooden toys, and it doesn't affect usability. However, I will be interested to see if it becomes a little tatty quickly. I hope not."

How we tested

• Tested out the product with a baby for two weeks.
• Assembled the product, noting how easy this was and how long it took.
• Made use of all the product's features and tested to see which were genuinely useful, and which were gimmicks. 

Things you won't find on the box

Grace found the Rainbow Cloud Walker relatively simple to put together. "The walker arrived in a compact cardboard box, and, while we had to put it together ourselves, it took no more than 5-10 minutes," she said. "It came with an Allen key for the wheels, and all we needed was a screwdriver for two screws (which were included), to fix the handle in place. None of it was heavy or cumbersome to lift or manoeuvre and one person could put it together no problem."

Once assembled, Grace was pleased with how the walker functioned.  

"There are a number of features that demonstrate a nod towards usability that I really appreciate. On the base there is an outline to guide you in putting the blocks back in place, and another feature I like is the ability to tighten and loosen the wheel screws, in turn making it run faster or slower. As such, setting them to as tight as possible if your baby is still learning to walk, and loosening them once they've found their confidence might be wise!" 

Who's it best for?

Grace thought that the Rainbow Cloud Walker would be best for style-conscious parents who preferred wooden toys to plastic. "Someone looking for a plastic-free walker in a classic, simple design with the bonus of added toys," she said. She would recommend it to friends "given that it's a simple but classic design and does the job with added extras". 

This is also a suitable choice if you aren't a fan of noisy toys - this one offers plenty of  imaginative play without any extra sound effects that could be annoying to those who are sensitive to noise.

Need an alternative?

If you'd prefer a walker with lights and sound, read our review of the Babymoov 5-in1 Progressive Walker, or Vtech's First Steps Walker is a slightly cheaper option and was named the best buy in our best baby walkers guide.

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We tested the Nuna Leaf Grow Bouncer to determine if it is worth its high price tag and to find out whether it's a genuinely useful buy for parents and their little ones. 

If you're looking for a baby bouncer with longevity, the Nuna Leaf Grow is a great option. Designed to be more toddler-friendly than the original Nuna Leaf, the Nuna Leaf Grow has a removable harness and three recline positions, compared to just one on the Leaf.

The infant insert also has individual cushions for the head and body, as opposed to the single insert included with the original model. However, they can both hold the same weight (up to 130 pounds or 9kg with the harness and up to 60kg without) and both are suitable from birth. The fact that you can use this bouncer for newborns and toddlers alike is a major selling point and is sure to make this an appealing buy for parents who want their money's worth and prefer products that last a long time. 

• VIEW AT MAMAS AND PAPAS

The Nuna Leaf Grow bouncer is available in three stylish  neutral colourways: Granite, a mid-grey; Biscotti, a neutral beige; and Charcoal, which is a mixture of black and grey.

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, this manual bouncer can hold a child up to the weight of 90kg with the harness removed. A toddler will also be able to 'bounce' themselves once seated - something that's especially useful as this product isn't electric. This has its pros and cons: it's a nice quiet gadget to have in the home but it also means that when babies are very little, you'll need to bounce it every so often to keep the motion going. 

Price and availability

At the time of writing, Mamas & Papas is selling the Nuna Leaf Grow with £51 off for £199. This is a pricey item so it's worth shopping around and bagging a discount when you see one. 

While the price tag might be steep, Grace reckons this is a good value piece of baby kit because you'll be able to use it for several years, unlike many other bouncers which are only suitable for use up to the age of six months. "It is premium buy but it lasts for years and adjusts as your child grows," she said. "Plus its design is gorgeous and it does what it promises!"

Grace also liked that many things that would be 'extras' with other bouncers are included in the price of the Nuna Leaf Grow. "The toy bar, which features a knitted bird, rabbit, and cloud, is included and not an extra cost, whereas with some baby bouncers, you have to pay extra if you want the toy bar."

Grace felt that this bouncer wasn't quite worthy of our 'best buy' award but says it's "just shy of this, given three-to-four oversights in design/functionality. A few small tweaks and it would be, though," she added. 

Grace said: "The longevity of the product really appealed to me, as many bouncers and rockers can only be used until a child can sit up unaided. For this reason, you can go some way to justifying the price, which is definitely at the top end of the scale." 

Design and features

Weighs: 7.47kg | Age: Birth - 60kg

In terms of design, Grace couldn't fault the look of the Nuna Leaf Grow and loved the neutral colours it comes in. "All are extremely visually appealing, and blend into adult rooms and decor seamlessly," she said. 

The bouncer is made from an organic material called Oeko-tex® fabric and it is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified. Various parts are machine washable for little accidents, while the back panel is mesh and helps to keep your baby cool in the warmer months. 

"Unsurprisingly, it all feels very soft to the touch, and I’m not concerned about anything rough rubbing against my 10-month-old daughter's face while she spends time in this," explained Grace. "I’m also pleased the mesh is there, so she doesn’t get too warm or sweaty."

Something that makes the Leaf Grow stand out is that it is electric-free, which also means no wires to worry about and no plug sockets to find. As such, it means that there is no buzzing or vibrating mode, just a simple swaying from side to side motion that you set off by pushing (or gently knocking it with your foot). 

"Its limited movement may not be entertaining enough for some babies, but my daughter was suitably soothed by the motion," Grace told us. "This also means it is entirely silent, which I appreciated as there is already enough stuff making noise in the average family household! Handily, there is a lever under the base, at the front, which makes it stay stationary. At a younger age, this is useful for feeding, and, as the baby becomes a toddler, it will also be useful for reading and resting time."

How we tested

• Assembled the baby bouncer and noted how easy it was to put together and use
• Tested out the baby bouncer for several weeks
• Used all the different features to see how this bouncer compares with others

Things you won't find on the box

One slightly irritating element of the Nuna Leaf Grow was its toy bar and the fact that the toys on it couldn't be taken off and used elsewhere. 

"The toy bar is very easily removed, which means once little one can reach and grab it, they will most likely yank it off! As such, the toy bar has a very short lifespan, and it's a shame that the three lovely toys on it can't be removed." 

There are a couple more downsides to the seat, first and foremost the fact that the strap to secure the child is made from Velcro. 

"As there is no real way to undo Velcro quietly, if you want to take a snoozing baby out, you may need to put on some white noise nearby before taking off the strap to disguise the noise somewhat," said Grace. "There is also the fact that because it isn’t powered by batteries or electrics, until your child has legs long enough to sway it themselves, you have to keep knocking it gently to keep it in motion." 

It's also worth mentioning that the trade-off for its stability and ability to hold a heavy toddler is that the bouncer itself is pretty heavy. It’s also quite large, and while that means great comfort for the baby or child, it means that moving it around the house isn’t the easiest. So you’ll probably want to pick one room, or at least one floor of your home, to keep it on. 

Grace said: "For now, we have decided to keep it in our living room, but when our daughter is old enough to get in and out without our help, we’ll likely move it to her bedroom. You can, however, detach the seat from the base for storage or travel."

"Overall, and despite the downsides, we all really love the seat. As our girl will never snooze in it, the Velcro doesn't bother us, and she doesn't squawk in protest if it stops rocking for a few minutes." 

Who's it best for

Grace said she would definitely recommend this seat to friends, adding: "All the many positives far outweigh any potential inconvenience the small niggles may cause."

She liked that it was capable of holding a large toddler - and even a young child - safely. Grace thought this would best suit "someone looking for a cord-free bouncer that transitions into a child seat that won’t look out of place amongst adult decor".

Need an alternative?

If you want something a little more affordable, we named the Babymoov Graphik Bouncer our best overall buy. Alternatively, the Joie Sansa 2-in-1 rocker has a self-rocking motion that many other parents are thankful for. 

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

We put the ErgoBaby Evolve Bouncer to the test to see how it compares with other similar bouncers.

If you're looking for a baby bouncer with longevity, the ErgoBaby Evolve is a great option. It has a clever, sophisticated design with a neutral colour palette that will blend perfectly into most interiors. As well as getting the thumbs up from style-conscious parents, it has great functionality and can be used from birth, thanks to a padded head support, and up until babies are over a year old.  

• VIEW AT AMAZON

The ErgoBaby 3-in-1 Evolve is a manual bouncer with a chic, neutral design, dynamic bouncing motion, and a comfortable seat. It has a neck support for newborns but - unlike many other bouncers - can also be used until your baby is at least one. The toy bar needs to be purchased separately but adds extra entertainment for babies as they get older. 

This bouncer has been designed so that, as the baby shifts in their seat, they bounce themselves. While it might not be as hi-tech as other baby bouncer seats, this mechanism seems sufficient to soothe babies and means that you don't constantly have to 'bounce' them yourself. 

"It makes my baby very happy and that makes me very happy," said our tester, Alice, who also liked the Evolve's neutral aesthetic and curvy shape. "My husband quickly deemed the bouncer 'the Rolls-Royce of baby bouncers'." 

Price and availability

The ErgoBaby Evolve Bouncer usually retails at £189.99, but if you're quick Amazon is currently selling for £153, which gives you 16% off the RRP. 

Alice felt that it was well-priced, even though it's slightly more expensive than others you can currently buy. She said: "In terms of price point, it’s not much more expensive than other bouncers but I think it's more aesthetically pleasing and it looks much more comfortable, plus it bounces better with more support for my baby’s head and neck."

One thing to note is that the toy bar isn't included in the price. "You need to also buy the toy bar for the full benefits," added Alice.

In general terms, Alice felt that it was a 'luxurious-feeling product that functions very well' and was a good buy that parents wouldn't regret.

Design and features

Weighs: 5.4kg | Age: Birth - 29lbs

Having a baby inevitably means a lot of extra kit in your home and Alice appreciates that the Evolve is an attractive piece of baby gear to have around. 

"As soon as the bouncer arrived, it was very clear my excitement for it was warranted," she said. "Admittedly, I am very into how things look, particularly when it comes to interiors and toys, and the bouncer is gorgeous, as is the toy bar that you can buy as an added extra."

She noticed that Clara used the bouncer differently as the weeks went on and that new things interested her as she became more aware of her surroundings. 

"As she has got older, she has become more interested in going in the bouncer and playing with the added toys," said Alice. "As she has gotten bigger, we’ve slightly adjusted the bouncer and she’s just as comfortable as she’s ever been."

Alice found that Clara was always happy for a bounce in the Ergobaby Evolve and it genuinely kept her entertained: "It is a true lifesaver, sometimes giving me invaluable 'hands-free' moments to eat, wash or go to the bathroom! As a new, first-time mum anything that can do that for me is a prized possession." 

While Clara is still small, Alice has already tested it out on an older child and was impressed by the results: "I really feel we’ll be able to use it for a long time - my friend successfully used it for her one-year-old when she came to visit us."

How we tested

• Assembled the baby bouncer and noted how easy it is to put together
• Tested out the baby bouncer for several weeks
• Used all the different features including adjusting the harness to see how it operates

Things you won't find on the box

When the ErgoBaby Evolve first arrived, Alice immediately noticed the difference between it and the bouncer they had been using previously. "We had borrowed another very popular bouncer brand from a friend, which our baby had been using up until that point, and she was much happier in the ErgoBaby bouncer," she said.

As Alice tested the Evolve over several weeks, as Clara grew, she was able to adjust the settings accordingly. "Her position in it has changed over time but she has always been able to use it comfortably," added Alice. "As soon as we placed her in it, she began happily kicking and was obviously positioned comfortably with minimal adjustments." 

Who's it best for

Alice said she'd certainly recommend the ErgoBaby Evolve Bouncer to friends. "My baby clearly loves it and it buys me invaluable 'hands-free' time which is such a luxury for mums of babies."

She thought, because of its good looks and dynamic design, it would especially suit "someone who likes stylish products but also cares about functionality".

"I would definitely give the Ergobaby Evolve bouncer five stars," she added.

Need an alternative?

If you want something a little more affordable, we named the Babymoov Graphik Bouncer our Best Overall Buy. Alternatively, the Joie Sansa 2-in-1 rocker has a self-rocking motion that many parents rave about. 

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

The Mamas & Papas Apollo Bouncer is suitable from birth to six months so we put it to the test to see if it's worth its premium price-tag. 

Baby bouncers are a great place to put babies if you need a few moments with both hands free (although you should never leave a baby unattended in one). They often come with attached and integrated toys, vibrations, and sounds, meaning they're a first step to helping your baby discover the world around them. 

If you're shopping around to find the best baby bouncer to buy, the Mamas & Papas Apollo bouncer is a worthy contender. It comes with a soft newborn head pillow and adjustable straps, which make it feel safe and secure for babies from birth to six months. That's not all - this baby bouncer has interactive features for your baby to enjoy including music, vibration, and bouncing movement - a great way to calm a baby down and buy a few precious moments while you make a cup of tea or warm their bottle.

One of the biggest advantages of the Apollo baby bouncer is the fact that it can be used from birth. Many bouncers aren't secure enough for newborns but this one has been designed to give them enough support. 

"We started using the Apollo when Freddie was around four weeks old - she just felt too delicate to put down anywhere before then," admitted Anna. 

"It does have a lot of support for a newborn, including the three-way strap and the head-hugging pillow. It also has vibrations and movements that mimic mum’s heartbeat, and black and white toys, which are perfect for very young babies as they’re the only colours they can see at first," Anna added. "At the time of testing Freddie was three months old, and she was in and out of it several times a day. She was always really happy in it."

The Mamas & Papas Apollo bouncer is a muted, neutral design and colourway so it will appeal to parents who don't want garish baby gear cluttering up their home. But it also has plenty of interactive features to keep babies interested and entertained as they grow and become more interested in the world around them.

"It’s really nice for Freddie to have the option to sit at 45 degrees and have a good look around," Anna commented. "It was particularly handy when she reached the age where she started to notice the world around her, and showed interest in everything." 

Price and availability

The Mamas & Papas' Apollo Bouncer usually retails at around £90, making it one of the more expensive baby bouncers you could choose. At the time of writing, Amazon is running a promotion offering 11% off, meaning its purchase price is £79.

Anna thought the Apollo justified its price tag because, while it's stylish and nice to have in your home, it's backed up with great features your baby will love, and is also safe and secure. 

"It is great quality and it feels like a premium piece of baby gear, but, it's packed with practical, interactive features as well," she said. "I think some top-of-the-range baby items are too focussed on looking good, without being as safe or fun as possible for the baby."

Design and features

Weighs: 3.28 kg | Age: Birth to 6 months

Our parent tester, Anna, was really impressed by the overall look of the Apollo Bouncer. "Its laid-back oval design reminds me of a funky 60s-style chair," she said. "I love the neutral colour, and the fabric. It feels stylish, premium, and quite minimalist. You can’t help but have a lot of baby products around, so it’s always nice when they’re not too garish." 

But this is a bouncer designed for babies as well as style-conscious parents. "Freddie loves looking at the toys and really likes the motion settings. The left button makes everything bounce, and the right side is more of a gentle consistent vibration - which is supposed to mimic mum’s heartbeat," adds Anna. "There’s also great attention to detail - the writing on the music box, and the hanging toys are all incredibly charming and cute."

The bouncer is quite light and easy to carry around with one hand. "It’s not impossible to carry Freddie at the same time, though I’m not sure how much longer we’ll get away with that as she’s getting heavier every day."

How we tested

• Assembled the baby bouncer to see how difficult it is to put together
• Tested out the baby bouncer for the full six months
• Used all the different features to see how useful they are

Things you won't find on the box

Mamas & Papas has clearly put some careful thought into how the different features of the Apollo work. 

"It’s great that you have the option to move the toy bar," said Anna. "We took it off for the first couple of months, as Freddie was too young to be interested in it and I wasn’t very confident navigating her around it when I put her in or out of the chair. Quite often, she accidentally knocked it off anyway with her legs as I was lifting her out." 

As well as things to look at and interact with, the Apollo comes with some (not-too-annoying) sound effects. "It has this ‘music book’, which plays four tunes: there’s Play, Lullaby, Smile, and Dream," Anna explains. "I wasn’t sure if Freddie was really paying much attention to these, but recently, she accidentally kicked the noise off and then started to get very fussy until I pushed it back on again, so she definitely seems to like it. Be warned, some of them are quite catchy - I caught my husband humming one of the songs while brushing his teeth the other day!"

Freddie didn't seem very interested in the crinkle pads but Anna thought that might change as she grew older. "I also like that you can detach the toys and add them to another mobile or play gym if you want to," she added. "And another plus - one set of batteries lasted the full six months without us having to replace them!"

Who's it best for

Anna feels the Mamas & Papas' Apollo Bouncer would best suit 'someone who appreciates good quality, modern, minimalist and stylish designs, and neutral colours'. She also thinks the fact that it can be used from newborn up to six months would be a big selling point for some parents, specifically those 'who value safety and want to be able to use their product for more than just a couple of months'.

Need an alternative?

At around £90, this baby bouncer costs more than some parents may wish to spend on an item that lasts around six months. (Although it's likely to hold its value should you consider selling it after use.) If you want something a little more affordable, we named the Babymoov Graphik Bouncer our Best Overall Buy. Alternatively, the Joie Sansa 2-in-1 rocker has a self-rocking motion that many parents rave about. 

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

We tested the Mamas & Papas' Tempo 3-in-1 Rocker & Bouncer to see which babies it would best suit and how it fared against the competition. 

The Mamas & Papas' Tempo 3-in-1 Rocker & Bouncer has been designed for babies from birth up to the age of six months. It has two different bouncer settings and a rocker mode and comes with a detachable head support pillow, activity bar, and a useful pocket for extra storage. 

Its upright position makes this a great choice for babies struggling with reflux, as it will help them digest their milk more easily and keep them comfortable and supported. 

If you're looking for a baby bouncer from birth, this is a great option. 

• VIEW AT MAMAS AND PAPAS | £99

Mamas & Papas' Tempo 3-in-1 Bouncer is a neutrally coloured piece of baby kit that blends seamlessly into most interiors. It can be used from birth and has been designed to be supportive of newborns' weak neck muscles and babies up to the age of six months. 

"It's great for keeping baby upright after a feed and prevents you having to hold them upright for 15 minutes or so," said Sophie. "It's also very stylish which I love."

Price and availability

You can currently buy the Mamas & Papas' Tempo Rocker on the Mamas & Papas' website for the RRP of £99. While this might be out of some people's budgets, Sophie thought it well-priced. 

"Overall I think this is a fantastic value-for-money rocker/bouncer," she said. "It’s definitely one of the most stylish I have come across and kept my baby upright, supported, and happy!"

Sophie acknowledged that cheaper baby bouncers exist but considers this great value for money nonetheless.

Design and features

Weighs: 3.4 kg | Age: Birth to 6 months  

Sophie couldn't stop raving about how stylish and chic the Tempo was and it scored highly for her when it came to looks. "Regarding the design, I loved how modern and stylish it is and it blends in nicely at home. I’m a big fan of the neutral, muted colours that are less garish, but if you wanted to switch up the toys on the activity bar to something more colourful that’s really easy to do as the toys are detachable."

"One of my favourite things about this product is how supported and upright my baby is when using the bouncer," she said. This upright position was also helpful as it aids the baby with the digestion of milk and prevents reflux. 

"It gives mum a bit of a break from holding the baby whilst knowing they are supported and in the right position for their feed to digest properly." 

To keep them upright and to add to their comfort, there's a safety harness and headrest. Sophie said: "When they are really tiny, the headrest and harness give you peace of mind that they are well supported, although, once my baby got a little bigger, and had better neck support, we stopped using the headrest so I liked that it is detachable."

There's plenty here to keep the parents happy but what about the babies? Are they entertained? 

According to Sophie, babies give this piece of kit a thumbs up too: "My baby loves to be rocked, so the 3-in-1 functionality is really great and, if they get a little fussy, you can switch the setting to soothe/distract them," she said. "My baby was really content in the bouncer and it gave me freedom to get on with other things while they watched me. It’s obviously a manual bouncer unlike others you can buy but I think that is reflected in the price point and personally I prefer the look of the manual ones rather than a motorised bouncer. Plus this needs no batteries!"

How we tested

• Assembled the baby bouncer to check how easy it is to put together
• Tested out the baby bouncer for a minimum of one month
• Noted the different features to see what this product does that others don't 

Things you won't find on the box

One little negative that Sophie found was that the Tempo was a bit "confusing to assemble". Once up, she also struggled a little with the magnetic toy bar. 

"I did find the magnetic bar a bit temperamental, as it wouldn't always stay up, so I tend to use it more without the bar."

Apart from that, she liked many of the Tempo's extra features. "The hidden pocket at the back was handy for keeping an emergency muslin in," she said. "It's also very lightweight which I found useful for when you’re carrying the baby in one arm and moving the bouncer around the house. A lot of bouncers are much clunkier."

Another big plus was how easy the bouncer was to clean - crucial with a baby who's prone to reflux. "The material is really easy to wipe clean which is a bonus; the cover is machine washable but I did find it a bit tricky to remove it and then reassemble after washing."

Who's it best for

Sophie feels the Tempo Rocker would suit 'someone who wants something aesthetically pleasing at a good price point'. It's not garish and colourful, unlike many bouncers on sale, but young babies will still enjoy playing in it. At just under £100, it's not a budget buy but it's also not the most expensive bouncer on the market.

"I would also recommend this for babies who vomit a lot after feeds and who therefore need to be kept upright," Sophie added. 

Need an alternative?

At around £100, this may be out of some parents' budgets. If you want something a little more affordable, we named the Babymoov Graphik Bouncer our Best Overall Buy. Alternatively, the Joie Sansa 2-in-1 rocker has a self-rocking motion that many parents very much appreciate. 

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

The Stokke Sleepi cot bed is a statement piece of baby gear but is it set to become as beloved as the brand's iconic Tripp Trapp highchair? We gave it to a mum tester to see how it fares against other more traditional style cot beds.

Stokke is renowned for its high chairs — the Tripp Trapp has become a design icon, not just in the realm of kids' gear but in furniture in general. With the Sleepi, it's bringing this famous Scandi-style to nursery products with simple, light-coloured wood and a sleek, unfussy design. And if you're looking for the best cotbed to buy for your baby, the Stokke Sleepi is definitely worth adding to your shortlist.

The Sleepi is a great choice if you want a cot that will not only make a statement but also become a talking point. Its unique, oval shape is quite different from anything you'll find elsewhere, plus, there's the added advantage that it can be adapted to sleep a child up to the age of five.

In order to accommodate the needs of babies as they grow, Stokke has created the 'Mini' cot, which is suitable from birth, and can be adapted to become the Sleepi cot bed, which is the next size up and the one Charlie tested with her son Seb. The Sleepi is then suitable for children up to five years old. 

"I particularly liked the look of this product and also the way it can 'grow' with the child - the side can be removed to turn it into a toddler bed, so even though it's a higher price point than some other cribs, it'll last for a longer time," said Charlie. 

Helpfully, Stokke sell convertible panels for the Mini so that you can extend your crib and make it into a Sleepi as your child grows bigger and needs more space.  

Price and availability

The Stokke Sleepi doesn't come cheap – at the time of writing, Amazon was selling the cotbed for £335. So is it worth the price tag?

Charlie thought so: "It's more expensive than some other cots but it's designed to last a longer time than a standard cot and is clearly very good quality." While the initial outlay might be steep, the longevity of the Sleepi, up to the age of five, means that you aren't having to buy a bigger cot or a first toddler bed as your little one grows. 

"I have friends who are expecting, and I've suggested getting the Mini and then expanding it to the Sleepi so that they have a product that'll last their little one for years," added Charlie.

Design and features

Weighs: 16.4 kg | Age: Birth – 5 years

As you'd expect from a brand famous for its super-stylish high chairs, the Stokke Sleepi isn't bland when it comes to design. "I've always heard great things about Stokke, so I was very much looking forward to testing out their cot," Charlie told us. 

The Sleepi is an oval shape and there's a choice of a range of neutral colours - but did it meet with our tester's high hopes? "The design is very stylish and the natural colourway looked great in Seb's room, plus I think it would work well with most nursery palettes," said Charlie.

"The quality of the wood was also really good - again, with a toddler who has a tendency to chew on things, it retained its freshness while we were reviewing it and didn't come away with too many scratches or dents."

While Charlie approved of the Sleepi's smooth oval shape, she did have reservations about how space-efficient the cot is, especially if space is at a premium. "I really like the oval shape but it does feel like there could be wasted space in rooms due to its size. If you have a smaller home or children's room then it might not be practical for you."

How we tested

• Assembled the cot bed to assess how easy / difficult it is to put together.
• Used the cot bed for a month (minimum) for both naps and night-time sleep.
• Reviewed all the cot bed's features to see whether they add value.

Things you won't find on the box

For a cot bed that looks like a work of art, our tester was surprised to discover that putting the Stokke Sleepi together was surprisingly simple. 

"The first thing that appealed to me about the Sleepi was the ease of getting it set up and ready for use," she said. "The instructions were easy to follow, and it didn't take long to assemble it all."  

The quality design goes beyond aesthetics and Charlie found the mattress impressive too - sturdy and well-made. "The quality of the mattress felt really good - it was firm, and even withstood a few bouncing sessions from Seb!" 

Who's it best for

This is a good-quality, good-looking piece of kit that will become a standout feature in your baby's nursery. Style-conscious parents will obviously be drawn by the Stokke name, but it would also appeal to those unfamiliar with the brand but who appreciate well-made furniture that lasts. 

While the price tag might push this cot bed out of some budgets, Charlie told us she would recommend the Stokke Sleepi to her friends, especially 'someone who is happy to spend a little bit more on a premium product that's stylish and a long-term investment'. If that sounds like you, the Stokke Sleepi is the cot bed to buy.

Need an alternative?

If you're after a more traditional-style cotbed, read our review of La Redoute's Willox Cotbed.

Looking for more baby equipment? Check out our buying guides for the best convertible car seats or the best Moses baskets.

We tested the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cot bed to see how it fared against other similar products and whether it was worth its price tag.  

If space is an issue, this might not be the product for you. But that aside, this roomy cot bed has a standout sleigh design that will give your nursery a classic, traditional aesthetic. There are loads of great extras too, including a gigantic storage drawer, teething rail and adjustable heights, meaning that it grows with your child up to the age of four and even beyond. 

Our tester, Grace, would definitely recommend it to friends as a good buy. "A best buy product should be something that ticks all possible boxes: design, aesthetics, usability, etc, and I think this does," she said. 

If you're looking for the best cotbed for your baby or toddler, the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed is a worthy contender. "I can't fault it, and my daughter has transitioned into it without a fuss," adds Grace.

Our tester liked that the Obaby Stamford had several height settings and could be adapted as your baby grows up.

"Because our daughter was already ten months old at the time of testing, we put the base height on the lowest level as soon as it arrived," Grace told us. "However, there are two other higher levels too, so it's ideal if your baby is younger and not yet rolling or pulling themselves up."

In fact, Obaby has designed this cot bed so that it lasts from birth to age four. Even after that, it can be used as a day bed for quick naps or for reading bedtime stories on, so there's lots of scope for it staying in the family for years to come. 

Price and availability

Grace thinks this cot bed is worth its moderate-to-premium price tag. It's currently on sale on Amazon with 20% off, making it just over £280, but its RRP is over £300.

"For the amount you're paying, you want something that will grow with your baby, not just in terms of overall size, but in terms of adjustability," Grace said. "This comes with the additional pieces to transform it from a cot bed with bars to a toddler bed with only some, or no, bars, at no extra cost. As a result, it is suitable for use up to four years old. For it to justify its premium price point however, you also want additional features, and I think the teething rail and huge double drawers underneath satisfy that requirement."

• VIEW AT DUNELM | £435

Design and features

Weighs: 10 kg | Age: Birth – 4 years

"We knew the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cot Bed was going to be generously sized by looking at the measurements online before its arrival, but we were still surprised to see it arrived in three separate, and very large, boxes," admitted Grace. 

Despite its bulky size, Grace found the cot bed easy to assemble. "All the pieces were well packaged, with no damage or dents. It took us about ten minutes to unpack everything, and take all the empty boxes outside," she said. 

"It only took 20-30 minutes to put together, as each side piece and base can be reassembled. There were no slats to put into place ourselves. Everything we needed, aside from a screwdriver, was in the box, including an Allen key. The drawer was also easy to put together."

As well as its size, our tester was impressed with the look and style of the Obaby Stamford. "We slid it into one corner of the nursery, and it blended in to the rest of our white furniture perfectly," she said. "The curved side panels, which give it its 'sleigh' design, add an extra little something to its appearance without being flashy. We pushed the curved top bar against the wall and had the flat top bar facing out into the room."

Grace liked the subtle teething rail - essential when little ones start gnawing on everything in sight. "On this top bar comes a plastic rail, which was already attached, and is especially made to be safe for baby or child to chew on while they're teething. This means that their teeth are protected, and the wood of the cot is protected too!" 

Those worried about how babies might react to its large size shouldn't worry says Grace. "She was fine transitioning from a 120/60cm cot to a 140/70cm cot, and the extra size wasn't intimidating to her."

How we tested

• Tested how easy the cotbed was to assemble.
• Used the cotbed for two weeks, for both naps and night-times.
• Tested out the different features to see which were genuinely useful and which were gimmicks. 

Things you won't find on the box

While this cotbed is on the large size, making it not particularly well suited for smaller spaces, it does come with a significant amount of integrated storage. 

"One of my favourite things about the cot is actually the drawer underneath. Not only does it have a huge 77L capacity, split in two with a divider, it is really smooth to pull out and put back," said Grace. 

"With our previous cot, the drawer underneath was really clunky and difficult to open, which meant we avoided using it. With the Stamford, I was really pleased that it was well-made enough that I could actively use it for sheets, sleeping bags and other items."

It's worth noting that, while you get everything you need with this cot, you don't need it all at the same time and there will be parts that you'll have to store away.  

"Because it goes up to four years, there are some additional pieces you'll need to have space to store away for use down the line. When she outgrows it, we plan to use it as a day bed for her to play on in the other corner of her room," added Grace. 

Who's it best for

Grace thought that the Obaby Stamford Luxe Sleigh Cotbed would suit 'someone who is looking for a long-lasting cotbed that doesn't scrimp on appearance or bonus features.'

Due to its relatively large size, it would also be better for someone who has a larger nursery and plenty of space. Grace's baby certainly seemed to enjoy the extra space it afforded and slept fantastically in it.  

Need an alternative?

If you're after a more traditional-style cotbed, rather than a sleigh bed, read our review of La Redoute's Willox Cotbed.

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

We tested the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cotbed to see if its stylish design delivered impressive sleep results. 

While the Snowdon is a sleigh bed in style, our tester was pleasantly surprised to find that it doesn't have the bulky, chunky feel that you usually get from this type of cot bed. Instead, it has a slim, streamlined aesthetic and a space-saving under-bed, wheel-out storage drawer. These features make it a good choice for parents who want a traditional look from their cot bed but only have a small nursery. 

Other notable features of the Ickle Bubba Snown Classic Cotbed include that it's easy to assemble and has a bed base that's adjustable through three different settings as your child grows.

If you're looking for the best cotbed for your baby or toddler, the Ickle Bubba Snowdon is a worthy contender. 

Our tester, Vicky, found the Ickle Bubba Snowdon simple to assemble: "It was easy to put together with straightforward instructions. You'd need two people though - I wouldn't have been able to assemble it on my own."

This chic, slimline sleigh-style cot bed has three adjustable height settings, and it can be used from six months onwards. As your child grows even more, it can also be adapted into a toddler bed and has the bonus of a very useful, roll-out storage drawer underneath. 

Vicky's first impressions were positive: "The Snowdon is a sleigh bed that doesn't take up the entire room," she said. "And it's great that it adapts to become a toddler bed, so we'll get years of use out of it. "My son has just turned three and is still in the bed part of his old cot, so a cot bed is a good investment for several years. I also really like the look of the Snowdon Classic when it's set up as a toddler bed."

Price and availability

While the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Cotbed is on the pricier side, its value comes in the years of use you'll get from it. "It's not cheap," said our tester, Vicky. "But it has a simple, stylish design, and the storage drawer is genuinely useful, particularly if you need a cot bed for a small nursery."

The higher price point wouldn't put Vicky off from recommending it to friends: "It's stylish but not too bulky, and overall it looks and feels of good quality. It will last for years so it's good value."

At the time of writing, the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Cotbed was on offer at Amazon, but it still comes in at over £300, making it a significant investment. 

Design and features

Weighs: 17 kg | Age: Birth – 4 years

The Ickle Bubba Snowdon Cotbed is a classic sleigh-style cot that adds a traditional feel to your baby's nursery. Sleigh beds are notorious for being cumbersome and bulky but Vicky found this "more slimline than many others of that type, which would make it easier to fit in a small nursery". 

The under-bed storage drawer also makes it a good option if you're battling with a smaller space. "Babies need so much stuff that you end up having to pack things under their cot. Having the drawer means you can put it away neatly and roll it back out for access, rather than scrabbling around under the cot to find things stored there."

Our tester also likes that the roll top and rounded rails feel very safe: "As my daughter gets bigger and starts to pull herself up, there are no sharp edges she might bash herself on. However, there are plastic guards along the top of the side rails which I feel detract from the overall appearance and general feeling of high quality, but I appreciate they're to protect little ones when teething."

Having different heights for the mattress means this is a cot bed that's going to last a long time. "We know she'll be safe with it on the lowest level even as she becomes more mobile," added Vicky.

How we tested

• Assembled it from scratch to see how easy it is to put together.
• Used the cot bed for two weeks, for both naps and night-time sleep.
• Tested out all the features such as adjusting the height and using the drawer.

Things you won't find on the box

While there's no disputing the good looks of the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Cotbed, our parent tester revealed what it was like to use it in practice every day. 

Vicky found that Alicia had no trouble sleeping in this sleigh bed: "She has slept happily in the cot so far and seems very comfy." 

A big selling point for our tester was the undercot storage. "The storage drawer underneath is absolutely brilliant," she says. "The only potential problem is that it's on small wheels rather than runners attached to the cot itself, so it might not move very easily on a thick carpet when it's full and heavy." 

Who's it best for

The Ickle Bubba Snowdon Cotbed would suit someone who 'wants a traditional look in their nursery, yet updated with a modern feel', according to our tester. She thinks the under-bed storage drawer is an "inspired" feature and, while sleigh beds usually take up more space, Vicky recommends this one to anyone with a smaller nursery where space is at a premium.  

"It's great for someone who likes the sleigh bed style but doesn't have loads of space," she told Goodto. 

Need an alternative?

If you're after a more contemporary style of cot bed, rather than this classic twist on a sleigh bed, you might find our review of La Redoute's Willox Cotbeduseful.

Our Shopping Editor's verdict

Shopping for more baby equipment? Take a look at our guide to choosing the best cot mattress or have a look at our roundups of the best travel cots and Moses baskets.

The iCandy Peach 7 pram is a hit with celebrity mums but how does it fare in real life? We asked a mum of two to put it to the test and find out if its features and functionality are as impressive as its stylish design credentials. 

All-in-all, the iCandy Peach 7 is a great option for busy parents who want a stylish pram that's thoughtfully designed - and if you're looking for the best pram for your baby, it's a worthy contender. Billed as the ultimate pushchair for first-time parents, this is an iconic luxury pram that’s designed to convert seamlessly from a single pram to a double - or even a twin - pushchair as your family grows.

The iCandy Peach 7 also ticks many of the boxes you'd expect from a premium pram - luxe fabrics and plush padding for baby's comfort, a spacious shopping basket for the practicalities of daily life as a parent, and puncture-proof tyres plus an aluminium frame for almost effortless handling and manoeuvrability.

iCandy products are beautifully engineered and the Peach 7 is no exception. You can use it from the day your baby is born with the carrycot attached if you wish - although we recommend putting your feet up and leaving the adventuring until a little later on. 

Price and availability

The iCandy Peach 7 costs over £1000, meaning it's firmly in the premium price bracket for a pram. But Gemma thinks it offers value for money nonetheless. "It's one of the best premium prams money can buy because everything about it just oozes luxury and good quality," she explains. 

"There is no part of the iCandy Peach 7 that you think could have been made stronger or less flimsy. The handle feels incredibly soft to hold and push, and I felt like it all looked amazing when I was walking down the street. It's perfect for someone who wants a pram that will last, not only in terms of quality and durability but also in style appeal and aesthetics."

The Peach 7 also comes with several extras, including a cupholder, sunscreen, footmuff, change bag, and car adaptors so, while the initial outlay is high, you're buying everything you need in one go. 

An expensive buy initially, the value of the iCandy Peach 7 comes from high-quality materials which give it longevity and mean you won't have to invest later in a toddler pushchair or another pram for subsequent children. 

The Peach 7 Pushchair and Carrycot is also available to buy direct from iCandy for £1,149.

Design and features

Weighs: ‎3.65kg | Age: From birth-4 years

One of the big selling points of the iCandy Peach 7 is its aesthetics and Gemma wasn't disappointed by its good looks. "The carrycot on the pram base looks incredibly stylish. The sleek, gender-neutral dark grey is the perfect mix of elegant and classy, but also means that any little scuffs and stains remain relatively well hidden."

The design is backed up with high-quality materials - useful if you are planning to use the iCandy Peach over several years, not only as your baby grows into a toddler but also as you pass it down through siblings. "The fabric is a sturdy but sleek dark grey, with cushioning in the required places to ensure that the child is comfortable". 

Other noteworthy features include an aluminium frame, which makes the pram lighter than other models, and puncture-proof polyurethane tyres that can handle all kinds of terrain from uneven pavements to muddy forest paths and parks. 

Exceptional suspension means that comfort isn't compromised when the iCandy Peach 7 is in motion, even on bumpy ground. "I didn't worry that Effie was going to be woken when I walked over rocky ground or encountered a random stone because the great suspension seemed to protect her from the impact of the terrain."

The latest iteration of the iCandy Peach 7 also has a new integrated Ride-on Board. "The pram comes with adapters that allow the carrycot to be positioned further back on the frame, allowing a toddler to be able to stand on the 'toddler step' at the end of the pram closest to the 'pusher'. Unfortunately, this step is very small and my little one was too scared to go on it as there wasn't much for him to hold on to."

It’s also easy to use the iCandy Peach 7 as a travel system if you wish - just attach the car seat adaptors to the frame and click a compatible car seat in place instead of the carrycot or pushchair seat. However, Gemma found it tricky to remove the carrycot. "The carrycot is removed by simultaneously pressing a button on each side of the frame. This was a slight letdown in my eyes, as prams I have previously used had a single-release button on the hood handle, allowing for much easier single-handed removal."

We can’t review the iCandy Peach 7 without mentioning the fabrics used. Think soft, premium knitted jersey fabrics, expertly tailored for maximum comfort but also seriously stylish. "The carrycot mattress was very nicely padded and Effie seemed quite happy to be in there, falling asleep fairly swiftly," said our tester, Gemma. The pram itself pushes like an absolute dream and handles corners and different types of terrain with ease.  

While the fabric does show dirt, it can be easily cleaned. What's more, any nerves about moving your baby out of the carrycot and into the toddler seat are quickly dissipated when you see how soft and padded the seat is too.

"When your child is ready to move from a lie-flat carrycot to an upright pushchair seat, it's easy to disassemble the carrycot and attach the pushchair seat to the frame instead," adds Gemma. "The toddler seat is the same sleek grey design and, similar to the carrycot, looks unbelievably attractive. There is a lot of padding on the seat, ensuring what I can only imagine is a very comfortable ride for the toddler."

How we tested

• Used the pram daily to carry a newborn (and toddler hitch-hiker) for min. two weeks.
• Tested on all types of terrain, including grass and pavements, and in all weathers. 
• Took it on public transport to test how easy it is to lift, fold, and carry.

Things you won't find on the box

One important detail that you definitely won't find on the box is how long it takes to assemble the iCandy Peach 7. "The pram arrived in two quite large boxes that weren't especially easy to move or carry by myself," Gemma explains. "On opening, I was faced with an initially daunting amount of pram pieces and realised that the pram needed a fair amount of construction." While this was initially off-putting, she found the instructions comprehensive and mostly easy to understand.  

The iCandy Peach 7 looks good but how do the extras stack up? "The basket under the pram is a good size (it holds up to 10kg) and can fit several shopping bags, coats, and all the other things you find yourself needing to carry with small children," Gemma says.

She also rates the small detachable bag that comes with the iCandy Peach 7 and makes it easy to pop out of the house with your baby and the essentials, without having to carry a full change bag with you. "The bag matches the pushchair fabric and is pleasingly slimline," she says. "It's also cleverly designed to hook easily onto the pram handle, leaving extra room for your shopping and baggage in the basket beneath the pram." 

The iCandy Peach 7 comes with lots of extras including a rain cover (always handy), a cup holder (which pleasingly doesn't slosh out your coffee as soon as you hit a pebble), and a parasol, which can be moved into a variety of positions to protect your baby from the sun. There's also a cosy footmuff included which Gemma described as "insanely soft and snug".

When using the toddler seat instead of the carrycot, Gemma found it easy to adjust from upright to several reclined positions and had no problems adjusting the harness as required.  

Who's it best for

It's hard to imagine a parent who wouldn't appreciate the features and functionality of the iCandy Peach 7 but our tester would particularly recommend it to style-conscious families who like a touch of quiet luxury.

"I'd recommend this to someone who wants an exceptionally good-looking pram that is very high quality and which will last for several years," she says. "It's ideal for first-time parents or those happy to purchase the adapters to fix on a second seat."

Our Shopping Editor's verdict

Need an alternative?

If the iCandy Peach 7 appeals to you but is more than you want to spend on a pram, have a look at our review of the more affordable yet still stylish, Ickle Bubba Stomp V4 pushchair. 

Looking for more equipment for your baby or toddler? Check out which items we rated highly after reviewing in our best pushchairs buying guide and have a peek at our pick of the best travel strollers - ideal for holiday use. 

The Inglesina Aptica easily made it into our guide for the best prams based on consumer testing, but we've been delighted to discover just how much more this little beauty has to offer.

If you're looking for the best pram for your newborn or infant, the Inglesina Aptica travel system is a worthy contender. But for those of you after a stylish, all-season stroller with multiple configurations that will provide your little one with the safety and comfort they need, this feature-rich gem suddenly becomes unbeatable. 

The versatility that this product offers ticks a huge box for us, with a design that makes changing the travel system into any one of its other four configurations quick and easy. Go from stroller to carrycot to car seat in just a few seconds.

Yes, the Inglesina Aptica is expensive, especially when compared to other, more well-known brands. However, if it falls within your budget, the features more than justify the price tag. These include the Welcome Pad mattress with ergonomic support that adapts to a baby's growth, the Darwin Infant Recline car seat for safe and relaxed travel, and a lightweight chassis that offers a smooth ride on all terrain. 

Price & availability

"I really like the Inglesina Aptica," Jess told us. "Remy is six months old and in a bit of an 'inbetween stage' where sometimes he needs to lie flat to sleep and sometimes likes to have a look around when out and about. Due to the Aptica being very versatile, it is quick and easy to change the travel system to ensure maximum comfort at all times."

Although the Inglesina Aptica does come with a lot of features, it's not the cheapest model on the market. However, on the whole, Jess feels the price tag is easily justified if it's within your budget.

"The Inglesina Aptica has everything that you could need and has some very unique features which set it aside from other prams on the market," she told Goodto. "I do think you get a lot for your money with this travel system, but it's obviously a more high-end pram."

The Inglesina Aptica is currently available to buy for £1,595. To find your local stockist visit Inglesina.

Design & features

Weighs: 10.2kg | Age: Birth to four years old 

When a product sits in the kind of price range that Inglesina Aptica does, you want to make sure it comes jam-packed with features to ensure you're getting your money's worth. And this little beauty certainly delivers on that front.

The main selling point of this product is its versatility. It offers five different configurations, making it ideal if you're a busy parent who's often on the go, with the carrycot being a particular standout. 

"The carrycot is very spacious and even at six months old Remy still has plenty of room," says Jess. "I particularly love the feature which allows the carrycot backrest to be adjusted to raise Remy up so he can see out slightly or so he is not completely flat after a feed. The mattress is comfortable and there is a foam cylinder which can be placed in the mattress to prevent Remy from slipping down the carrycot."

Jess adds: "The system comes with a stand-up which was great for keeping in the lounge allowing Remy to sleep in the carrycot when at home - much easier than moving a Moses basket up and down the stairs."

Jess drives a reasonably sized family estate car and found the stroller seat and chassis fairly compact to store in the boot, altough the chassis with carrycot take up more space, as you'd expect.

"The chassis is really lightweight and its one-hand fold is really quick and easy," Jess explains. "The chassis also stands up when folded and this prevents the handle from touching the floor which I love. The stroller seat is large and can be reclined easily. As Remy is still young the stroller footmuff was quite far from his body but this was easily fixed with a blanket."

Finally, the system's Darwin i-Size Infant car seat deserves a special shout as regardless of whether you're making a short trip to the shops or are off on a long road trip, it does a brilliant job of merging safety and comfort. Featuring a 360-degree base for a quick and solid attachment, the ergonomic shape ensures the baby's correct posture will be maintained throughout the journey. 

"The fabric in the seat is super soft and I felt relaxed knowing Remy was comfortable. The car seat clips out of the car and onto the pushchair chassis in seconds which is ideal on the school run and for nipping into the shops," Jess says. "The only issue I did face was when I visited one supermarket I was unable to use a shopping trolley that allows baby seats to be fixed onto, due to the car seat's built-in adapters making it too wide to fit."

How we tested

• Used the pram over the course of a month, come rain or shine. 
• Put the pram to good use while completing school runs, nipping out to the supermarket, running errands and on a muddy woodland walk. 
• Along with looking at the safety, durability and comfort, our tester also reviewed how easy the pram is to push and how easy it is to fold and store.

Things you won't find on the box

Available in three stylish colours (Pashmina Beige, Resort Blue, and Velvet Grey), the Inglesina Aptica is unmistakably glam with its bright finish and chrome details. Jess loved the look and feel of the system and the thoughtful finishing touches.

"The travel system definitely has a premium feel about it and comes with so many items and accessories," says Jess. "It has a large carrycot suitable for slightly older babies and a large basket to hold even the biggest of change bags. The carrycot also has a very handy pocket on the outside which was ideal for stashing my phone and keys."

Two huge selling points this product pushes are its suspension and how easy it is to fold away and Jess found that both of those points stood up when she tested the system with Remy.

"The suspension made the ride smooth for Remy even when the ground was more rough," she says. "The pushchair chassis folded quickly and easily, only needing one hand."

Who's it best for

Our reviewer has felt comfortable recommending the Inglesina Aptica to all of her friends because she feels that the brilliant features are just different enough from other travel systems on the market to give this product a real edge.

On top of that, Jess feels that there's one group of parents in particular who will really love what the product has to offer.

"The Inglesina Aptica would suit someone who likes stylishly designed products and someone who is on the go a lot. Especially mums on the school run etc."

Need an alternative?

The Aptica comes packed full of features that won't disappoint if this pram is within your budget.

If, on the other hand, you're looking to spend less, the Ickle Bubba Stomp v4 Special Edition All-in-One Travel System with Isofix Base (£649, Amazon) is worth considering.

Looking for more? Discover our range of baby gear buying guides covering everything from the best convertible car seats to the best cot beds.

It's a tricky decision, but choosing the best convertible car seat for your child is one of the most important decisions any parent or guardian can make. To help make the task much easier, we've tested out all the top seats on the market — here's our tried and tested guide. 

Looking for a convertible car seat? This type of car seat essentially 'grows' with your child, converting from rear-facing baby seats to forward-facing suits, suitable for toddlers and older children. 

If you've got a newborn on your hands, or toddler, it's important to note that car seats are grouped into strict categories according to the various stages of a child's development. To choose the best car seat for your child, you'll need to look at the options in the relevant category according to their age, weight, or height. So, for example, you might pick a rear-facing car seat for a newborn baby, followed by a forward-facing toddler car seat, and, finally, a high-backed booster seat for an older child. 

But that's where convertible car seats come in. They fit into more than one car seat group so instead of forking out for multiple seats over the years, you can buy one seat and adjust it as your child grows, saving money in the long run — which is always a win. 

Just note: some convertible car seats can be used from birth right up until your child is 12 years old, while others cater for shorter periods of time, such as from birth to four years. 

In this guide, we have reviewed six of the best convertible car seats including some that can be used until your child turns 12 and some that rotate 360º to make onboarding and offboarding easier than before. Plus, we've included a selection of the best convertible car seats with options for all budgets, from just under £150 to almost £500. So there's something for everyone. 

The quick list

In a hurry to find out which is the best convertible car seat to buy? Here's a brief overview of the car seats we reviewed for this buying guide, along with quick links so you can jump straight to all the details about any particular seat.

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The best convertible car seats we recommend in 2023

The best convertible car seat overall

Well-priced and long-lasting, the Ickle Bubba Radial Group 0+/1/2 360 Spin Isofix Car Seat from affordable baby brand Ickle Bubba is designed to last from birth to seven years. Its main selling point is that it allows babies to sit in the safest rear-facing seat position until they weigh 13kg, which is around 15 months.

It's easy to install in a vehicle with ISOFIX anchor points (which most modern cars have as standard) and has visual indicators to ensure it's safely fitted in your vehicle before you set off. 

This convertible car seat comes with an integrated base (included in the price) that rotates 360 degrees so that you can pop your baby in and out of the seat with greater ease compared to seats that are fixed in position. 

Our parent reviewer, Katy Islip put it to the test with her daughter Beatrice, who was 17 weeks old at the time. Katy loves how easy this car seat is to use and install, as well as the fact that it's such good value for money. She told us she’d highly recommend it to other parents based on its 'overall ease of use and product longevity'. 

Katy also liked the fact that the longevity the car seat offers is more environmentally friendly than buying new car seats every couple of years. 'The Radial car seat is smart looking, simple to use, and - based on how well my baby has travelled and slept in it -  it's also comfortable for her as well as safe,' she told us.

'With the cost of parenthood ever-rising, the fact the seat should see my baby through to mid-childhood is great, and also makes me feel like we're contributing less to the piles of single-use baby items that inevitably stack up.'

• Read our full Ickle Bubba Radial Group 0+/1/2 360 Spin Isofix Car Seat review

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The best premium convertible car seat

If you’re looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use, and attractive car seat that will last your baby from birth to 12 years old, a fantastic option is the Motion All Size 360 from trusted British nursery brand Silver Cross. As well as its longevity, the car seat has plenty of selling points from its safety credentials to its luxurious anti-bacterial bamboo fabric. Impressively, it’s the first R129-approved 360 rotating all-stages car seat on the market. 

A 360-degree swivel makes installing kids in the seat easy, while an extended rearward-facing mode and a side protection system add an extra element of safety. There are also eight headrests and three recline positions to keep kids extra comfy in their seats as they grow, with easy-to-remove inserts and a stowaway harness helping you adapt the seat for your child’s age. 

Our parent reviewer, Grace Holliday, put the seat to the test alongside her nine-month-old daughter and was impressed by its ease of use, 360-degree spin, and the high-quality materials used. She also loved how comfortable her daughter found it compared to other car seats. 

'The Motion All Size 360 is a 360-spin convertible car seat suitable from birth right up to 12 years, with bamboo fabric and ventilation for all-year use,' she explained. 

'In several weeks of daily use, my daughter never complained when putting her in or out of the seat, or when tightening the straps. She also never had a tantrum, even on longer journeys, and fell asleep twice, which was almost unthinkable in her very first car seat. As such I would highly recommend the Silver Cross 360, particularly as it has the potential to last up to 12 years old.'

• Read our full Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat review

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The best budget car seat

A fantastic budget option for parents who only want to buy one seat to last their child 12 years, the SlimFit Combination Car Seat from trusted baby brand Graco is easy to adapt as your child grows.

Packed with safety features such as TrueShield side impact protection technology, a steel reinforced frame, and energy-absorbing EPS foam, it can be used in rearward-facing mode, forward-facing mode, and as a high-backed booster as your child grows. It keeps little ones comfy too, thanks to padded inserts, a four-position seat recline, a 10-position headrest, and a removable cup holder.

Tannice Hemming, on our parent testing panel, put the seat through its paces with her kids Rousseau, four, and Ares, 21 months, and was pleasantly surprised by just how many features the car seat offered, and how easy it was to use, especially considering its bargain price tag.

'The SlimFit Combination Car Seat is an attractive and comfortable, versatile, convertible car seat that can be used from birth to 12 years,' she told us. 'This is a versatile budget option - you could buy this and never have to buy another seat again, which makes it an absolute bargain.'

Our tester told us she'd recommend this seat to someone who needs a convertible seat for any reason (multiple children to care for, perhaps), who wants the ability to use the seat in a variety of different vehicles, and who also wants comfort and good design, without a huge outlay.

'The combination of it being versatile, having such an amazing longevity, and the design being so comfortable and nice-looking makes this a brilliant convertible car seat to choose.'

• Read our full Graco Slimfit All-in-One Convertible car seat review

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The best car seat for newborns

Driving with babies or toddlers can be nerve-wracking, so if you want to invest in a car seat and brand that’s gone above and beyond when it comes to safety features, go for the iZi Turn B i-Size from BeSafe. The rotating car seat, which caters for the first four years of life, is packed with safety features to put your mind at ease.

Just a few of its safety features include a Baby Shell to offer a high level of protection from birth, built-in side impact protection in the seat shell, and a soft headrest with the brand’s Dynamic Force Absorber, which functions like a trampoline to give advanced protection in a side impact. 

There’s also Baby-Secure Swivel technology, which ensures babies will always travel rear-facing to avoid accidentally turning them forward-facing too early. Plus, the fact it rotates is gentle on parents’ already aching backs. Little ones will be supremely comfy too, thanks to a list of impressive features such as four recline options, a 10-step adjustable headrest, and a ventilation system.

We asked Katie Dancey-Downs, one of our parent testers, to try out the iZi Turn B i-Size with Auden, aged two and a half. Katie loved the seat’s safety features, stylish appearance, and ease of use.

'This car seat feels incredibly safe and secure, and the rotation system makes life a lot easier,' she told us. 'It's got a high price point, but the quality feels very high. Safety is arguably the most important aspect of a car seat, and it's rightly the main focus of this product. But BeSafe hasn't forgotten about style or comfort.'

• Read our full BeSafe iZi Turn B i-Size car seat review

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The best car seat for design appeal

This convertible car seat is suitable from birth right the way up until your child weighs 36kg, which is around 12 years old. You can use it rearward-facing until your child weighs 18kg (around four years old) and then turn it around and use it as a forward-facing seat until your child is old enough - or tall enough - to use the vehicle seat belt instead and no longer requires a car seaat.

This is another rotating seat, so it's easy to get little ones in and out. You can secure it in your car using ISOFIX anchorage points but if your vehicle doesn't have these, you can opt to install it using the car's seat belt instead. 

The Cosatto All In All Rotate 360 has flip-out side impact protection wings and an anti-escape system, plus multiple recline settings, and it's easy to adjust. The seat fabric is made using recycled bottles, and a standout feature is the anti-escape system; this is really useful for a wriggly little one who loves trying to shuffle out of car seat straps.

Understandably, not everybody wants a combination seat that can be used across different age categories, but there's no denying that they offer good value for money since you won't need to keep buying the next stage seat as your child grows. The rotating design and the eco element of this seat also add extra appeal and real value.

We asked Emma Goodall to put this seat to the test for Goodto, along with her son Charlie, who was nine months old at the time. 

'This is an amazingly adaptable and flexible seat,' she told us. 'Knowing I only need this one seat all the way up until my child is 12 years old gave me peace of mind. Moving it between my car and my husband's van was also straightforward, and I knew this seat would adapt to suit my life rather than having to plan my choices around a car seat. The design is so fun and my son will love it even more as he grows.'

• Read our full BeSafe iZi Turn B i-Size car seat review

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The best car seat for long term use

If you're looking for the ultimate convertible car seat that you can use from the day your baby is born right up until they no longer need a car seat, we think this is the one to go for.

Not only is an extended rear-facing seat that allows you to keep your child in the safest rear-facing position until they're four years old - much older than most convertible car seats - but it also has a 360º rotating base that you can actually operate with one hand, making it so much easier to onboard and disembark your child.

And if you have any hesitation about using the same car seat for 12 years, not that this one is i-Size certified and compliant with ECE R129 - the very latest regulations that apply to car seat safety - so we think it's highly likely to stand the test of time.

One of the downsides of convertible car seats is that they go through a great deal of adjustment to ensure a safe and comfortable fit for a growing child - in this case, from birth all the way up to 12 years. If you choose a seat that turns out to be fiddly to adjust, it can feel like a false economy. There's little point spending a lot on a seat that you know is going to need constant adjusting over the years, only to discover that it's fiddly to do so. 

None of that is an issue with the Joie i-Spin XL car seat though - the headrest has 14 different height settings and when you change the setting, the harness automatically adjusts. Forget re-threading straps every time you want to tweak this seat - it's all taken care of. 

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How we tested these car seats

Our Consumer Editor shortlisted her pick of the best car seats, all suitable from birth, based on her research and industry knowledge. She arranged for parents from our pool of reviewers to take delivery of each car seat and asked them to put them to the test. 

Our parent testers were chosen according to their babies' ages so that we could get a sense of the best convertible car seat for different stages of development. We asked the testers to install the car seats in their vehicles and use them extensively with their babies over a period of several weeks in a variety of different circumstances, including both short journeys and long car trips. The testers were asked to complete a standardised review survey and consider a range of specific factors including comfort, design, value for money, and safety features. Based on their comprehensive testing and feedback, this is our roundup of the best convertible car seats to help you choose the right product for your needs.

How to choose

We spoke to Sarah Evans from BeSafe Regional Sales and Training, to find out what parents should look for when buying a convertible car seat.

'The main benefit to the consumer of a multi-stage child car seat is that it removes the need to buy multiple seats for your child,' she explained. 

'One seat can cover many different age groups, for example, baby and toddler - from birth to four years, or from baby to a child of up to 12 years. This can also in some cases be more cost-effective. This may appeal to grandparents or someone who may be travelling with the child in the car less frequently.

'Extended rearward-facing travel is proven to be the safest way for your child to travel and seats that are suitable from birth legally in the UK need to be rearward facing until the baby is a minimum of 15 months of age.

'If you are considering a multi-stage seat it is worth checking it rotates forward-facing for when your child is 15 months old, if turning them forward-facing is your preference.

'Multi-stage seats used from birth should always be supplied with extra inserts such as a baby shell and additional padding and support specifically designed to suit the size and shape of a newborn. As your baby grows these are removed to expose a larger seating area suitable for your growing child.

'Child car seats designed for one particular age group will have been designed specifically to help protect a child of that height and weight range. 

“Consumers should be aware, however that when buying a multi-stage, multi-functional seat - for example from birth to 12 years - it is likely some compromises may have been made to accommodate such a wide age range as it is very difficult to meet the ultimate safety requirements of both a newborn and a 12-year-old in the same seat.  

'I’d advise the consumer to do their research and if possible visit a reputable child car seat retailer so you are confident you are buying the safest possible seat for your child.'

Which convertible car seat should I buy?

The best convertible car seat for you depends on your child’s age, your lifestyle, and how many children will be using the seat. Buying a more expensive seat is a bigger outlay at the beginning, but when you consider that convertible car seats can often be used for as long as your child needs one, higher prices for more premium features may well be worth it, especially if you divide the cost per year of use. 

You may want to invest a bit more for a seat that rotates to save your back from years of strain. If you’re buying a car seat for older children, you might have different priorities such as how easy it is to adjust as they grow, how comfortable it is, or how easy it is to keep clean. 

Convertible car seats can be heavy so if you often move the seat from car to car - for example, if grandparents often do the school run - then choose a lighter model 

Can convertible car seats be used for newborns?

Yes, you can use a convertible car seat for a newborn if it's designed for use from birth, and installed in your car in a rear-facing position. Not all convertible car seats are designed for newborns, but those that are usually come with inserts to give newborn babies extra support. 

Is a rotating car seat worth it?

Good question. Like all other car seats, a rotating car seat puts the safety of your child first. However, as it's the name suggests, a rotating car seat also rotates so you can easily onboard and disembark your little one, making it easier to get your baby or todder in and out of the car. 

• Looking for more? Read our best cot beds buying guide or take a look at our guide to the best prams. 

The BeSafe iZi Turn B i-Size car seat came out as our top choice for newborns in our guide to the best convertible car seats based on our consumer tests.

If you’re looking for the best convertible car seat for your baby or infant, you might have found it in the iZi Turn B i-Size from the premium car seat brand BeSafe. This two-in-one car seat ensures babies are safe in their seat in a rearward-facing position, later moving to 360-degree flexibility for older children.

The product doesn’t just make life easier for parents thanks to its swivelling capabilities but is absolutely packed with safety features that justify its higher price tag. These include a Baby Shell to offer a high level of protection from birth, built-in side impact protection in the seat shell, and a soft headrest with the brand’s Dynamic Force Absorber, which functions like a trampoline to absorb impact in the event of a collision. 

Price & availability

'This is a comfy and sturdy car seat that grows with a child, rotating between front and rear-facing,' Katie told us. 'It has an in-built Isofix base and is suitable for children from birth to around four years old. It's a robust system, which makes it feel safe and secure.'

Though the seat lasts four years, the BeSafe iZi Turn B i-Size car seat is not the cheapest option out there - but Katie feels that considering how much the brand has prioritised safety and security in the design, the high price tag is justified.

The BeSafe iZi Turn B i-Size car seat is currently to buy for £369 from Natural Baby Shower.  

Design & features

Weighs: 15.5kg | Age: Birth to four years old

The BeSafe iZi Turn B i-Size car seat's main selling point is its focus on safety, and Katie felt that Auden was safe and comfortable while in it. She also feels the seat is engineered so that parents feel confident and can't accidentally install it incorrectly or unsafely.