We used a wooden cradle for our DS until he was 5 months old and I loved it, but you could just use a Snuggle bed in the cot to snug them in. I think it really is a personal choice and it certainly isn't a must have item. We also used an Amby baby hammock which was the BEST baby item we ever bought and ended up using it for my son's day naps until he was 18 months old (he just wouldn't give it up!).