Safer sleep: setting up your baby’s cot or sleep space

Before the cot, the mattress or the sleeping bag, it helps to know the basics of safer sleep. This guide walks through the advice from the Lullaby Trust, the NHS, RoSPA and GOV.UK in plain English, so you can set up your baby's sleep space with confidence. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is rare, and the advice here is about lowering risk, not guaranteeing anything. We're not medical professionals and we haven't tested any products. If you have questions about your own baby, your midwife or health visitor is the right person to ask.

The Lullaby Trust says its advice applies to every sleep, day and night, until your baby is 12 months old. For babies born early or with a low birth weight, it says to follow the advice until 12 months after the due date.

The ABC of safer sleep

The Lullaby Trust sums it up as the ABC: Always sleep your baby on their back in a clear cot or sleeping space. In practice that means:

• Their own sleep space. The Trust says the safest place for a baby to sleep is their own clear, flat, firm, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket, in the same room as you.
• On their back. The NHS says to place your baby on their back to sleep, with their feet at the foot of the cot or Moses basket. The Trust calls this "feet to foot", and it stops them wriggling down under the bedding.
• A clear cot. The Lullaby Trust says babies need just two things in their cot: a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding. That means no pillows or duvets, no cot bumpers, no soft toys or comforters and no weighted or bulky bedding.

The Trust's wider list also includes keeping your baby smoke-free, avoiding getting them too hot and sharing your room for the first six months. We cover each of those below.

Sharing your room for the first six months

The Lullaby Trust and the NHS both advise that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, in their own separate cot or Moses basket, for every sleep for at least the first six months. The Trust says the risk of SIDS is lower when a baby sleeps in the same room as their parent or carer.

That doesn't mean you can never leave the room. The Trust says popping out to make a cup of tea or go to the toilet is fine, but your baby is safest if you're close by most of the time. It also says no device on the market can replace a parent or carer being in the same room.

A firm, flat, waterproof mattress that fits

The Lullaby Trust gives three questions to ask of anything your baby sleeps on. Is it firm? Is it flat? Does it have a waterproof layer?

• Firm. When your baby is lying on it, their head should sink in no more than a few millimetres.
• Flat. No raised or cushioned edges or sides, particularly around your baby's head, and no sheepskin liners.
• Waterproof. The mattress should have a waterproof layer or fitted waterproof cover. The Trust says this helps stop bacteria building up inside the mattress. In its product guide it says waterproof matters more than a mattress being described as "breathable".
• The right size. It needs to fit the cot or Moses basket properly, and be in good condition with no rips, tears or sagging.

The NHS says to buy a new mattress if you can. Our cots and cribs table shows the mattress size listed for each product and whether a mattress is included. Check the size against the maker's instructions before you buy a separate mattress.

Room temperature and overheating

The Lullaby Trust says the ideal room temperature for a sleeping baby is 16 to 20°C, and suggests a room thermometer to check. It says the risk of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. Its factsheet describes a UK consensus view that 16 to 20°C with light bedding or a well-fitting sleeping bag is a comfortable environment.

• How to check. The Trust says to feel your baby's tummy or the back of their neck, because hands and feet are usually cooler. If the skin feels hot, clammy or sweaty, remove a layer.
• Heads uncovered. It says not to put a hat on your baby indoors for sleep, and to keep their head uncovered.
• Blankets. A folded blanket gives twice the insulation. The NHS says blankets should be tucked in firmly, no higher than your baby's shoulders, and not doubled over.
• Warm weather. The Trust suggests lighter bedding and clothing, opening the bedroom door and a window if it's safe to, and using a fan without aiming it directly at your baby.
• If your baby is unwell. It says a baby with a fever needs fewer bedclothes, not more.

Baby sleeping bags

The Lullaby Trust says baby sleeping bags are a good option because they stop your baby wriggling down under bedding and covering their head. The NHS says the same, and that they should fit well around the shoulders with no other bedding needed.

• Fit. The Trust says to choose one that fits snugly around the neck and shoulders so your baby can't slip down inside. Sizes are mostly based on weight rather than age, so check the maker's guidance.
• Warmth (tog). The NHS tog guide is 2.5 tog for a room at 16 to 20°C, 1.0 tog for 20 to 24°C and 0.5 tog for 24 to 27°C.
• No hood. RoSPA advises a well-fitting sleeping bag without a hood.
• The standard. RoSPA and the Lullaby Trust both point to BS EN 16781 for sleeping bags.
• Not weighted. The Trust lists weighted swaddles, blankets and sleeping bags among the products not to buy.

GOV.UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has a checklist for buying baby sleeping bags that covers checking the safety labels and where you buy from. It also warns that baby sleeping products sold online may be unsafe.

Products to leave out

You'll see lots of products sold with promises about comfort or better sleep. The Lullaby Trust, the NHS and RoSPA all say babies don't need them, and advise against:

• Cot bumpers. The Trust says items like toys, blankets and bumpers could cover your baby's face and obstruct their breathing. RoSPA says products placed in the sleep space, including bumpers, can put a baby at risk of suffocation or overheating.
• Pods and nests. The Trust and the NHS advise against soft-sided pods and nests. The Trust says there's no British Safety Standard for pods or nests as a sleeping place.
• Sleep positioners and wedges. The Trust says to avoid products that keep a baby in one position, such as wedges or straps. RoSPA lists sleep positioners among products it doesn't recommend.
• Anything that keeps your baby seated or inclined. The Trust advises against letting babies sleep in products that hold them upright or on a slope, because this can restrict their breathing. That covers bouncy chairs, swings, hammocks and bean bags. If your baby falls asleep in one, it says to move them onto their back in a cot or Moses basket.
• Pillows, duvets, cot quilts and thick or heavy bedding. The Trust says they aren't recommended for babies under one year.
• Claims to be wary of. The Trust says to ignore claims that a product helps your baby sleep longer or more deeply, or that it "reduces the risk of SIDS". It says there are no rules that look specifically at whether a product raises or lowers that risk.

Some cribs and bouncers advertise a tilt or incline setting. The Trust's advice about inclined sleep is general, so read the maker's instructions and, if you have a concern such as reflux, ask your midwife, health visitor or GP before using one for sleep.

Bedside cribs, Moses baskets and travel cots

The Lullaby Trust says a cot, crib, Moses basket or pram carrycot can all be a safer sleep space, as long as it's clear and follows the same mattress rules as above. Our cots and cribs table lists each type.

• Bedside cribs. The Trust says that since 2020 bedside cribs should meet BS EN 1130:2019, and notes in its wording that this means cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down. It also says to use products the way the maker intended, and gives the example that adapting a cot and attaching it to an adult bed could put your baby at risk. Follow the maker's instructions for how a crib is fitted to your bed and when its side must be fixed in place. These differ from model to model, so we haven't listed them here.
• Moses baskets. The Trust says to follow its mattress advice and not add extra padding. Moses baskets and carry cots should meet BS EN 1466. Check the maker's age or weight limit.
• Travel cots. The Trust says travel cot mattresses tend to be thinner than a cot mattress, but are suitable as long as they're firm, flat, in good condition and meet British Safety Standards. It says not to put folded blankets or a quilt under your baby. If you swap in a replacement mattress, check the maker's guidance, because some can leave a gap between the mesh sides and the base. The Trust also says to follow the maker's advice for the travel cot you use.
• A pram carrycot. The Trust says it can be used for sleep away from home if you can answer yes to a short list of questions. Is the sleep space completely flat? Is the mattress firm and waterproof with no cushioned or raised edges? Can the hood be pulled back and the apron removed? Does it meet British Safety Standards? Does the maker say it's suitable for overnight sleep?
• Cots and cot beds. The Trust lists BS EN 716-1:2017 for cots. If you're looking at an older or second-hand cot, check the standard on the label or the instructions, and check for recalls.

British Safety Standards: what they do and don't tell you

The Lullaby Trust says to check that anything your baby sleeps in or on meets British Safety Standards, and that this should be stated on the product, its packaging, the instructions or the website. It lists these for baby sleep products:

A GOV.UK notice from the Department for Business and Trade (April 2024) also lists EN 716-1 (children's cots and folding cots), EN 1130:2019 (cribs) and EN 1466:2014 (carry cots) among the standards referenced for the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

It's worth knowing what a standard doesn't cover. The Lullaby Trust says passing one tells you a product has passed certain tests, such as not falling apart or catching fire easily, but it doesn't mean the product reduces SIDS risk, because there's no safety standard related to SIDS. It also says a well-known brand or a big retailer doesn't mean a product is safe for your baby to sleep in or on, and not to use products with added decorations, like gems or fur, or other adaptations.

In our table, the "Stated standard" column only shows a standard when the Amazon.co.uk listing states one. A blank doesn't mean a product doesn't meet it. It means we couldn't confirm it from the listing, so check the label, instructions or maker's website.

Second-hand mattresses and cots

The Lullaby Trust generally advises a new mattress for each baby, because research suggests a second-hand mattress from outside the family home increases SIDS risk. The NHS says you can re-use a mattress from your own home if it has been stored somewhere clean, dry and smoke-free.

If you can't avoid a second-hand mattress, the Trust says it should have:

• a well-fitting, 100% waterproof cover
• no rips, tears or water damage
• a firm, flat surface with no sagging
• a good fit with no gaps
• a fire-resistant label

For a second-hand cot or other baby product, the Trust's checklist is to get the instructions, check the safety standards, check for recalls and make sure it's in one piece. It says items should come from a smoke- and pet-free home.

Checking for recalls

The Lullaby Trust says to check for recalls before using second-hand products, and suggests searching "product recalls" on GOV.UK. You can search the official OPSS list at GOV.UK: Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls.

On this site, our recalls page pulls notices from that GOV.UK feed, and each cots and cribs page shows any that look related. It's worth checking before you buy, and again if you're given or buy something second-hand.

A quick checklist

• My baby sleeps on their back, feet to the foot of the cot
• Their sleep space is clear: only a mattress and lightweight bedding or a sleeping bag
• The mattress is firm, flat and waterproof, with no rips, and fits the cot or basket with no gaps
• They sleep in my room for the first six months, day and night
• The room is 16 to 20°C, and I check my baby's tummy or neck, not their hands or feet
• No bumpers, pods, nests, positioners, pillows or duvets
• If I use a sleeping bag, it fits snugly at the neck and has no hood, and the tog suits the room
• The cot, crib or basket states the right British Safety Standard
• If anything is second-hand, I've checked the mattress and the instructions, and it's smoke- and pet-free
• I've checked it isn't on the recalls list

If you're worried about your baby's health or breathing, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP, or call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

Where this information comes from

We haven't tested any products. Everything above is based on these official and expert sources, which we read and checked for this guide. Guidance can change, so always check the latest version, and follow the instructions that come with your product.

• Safer sleep overview — The Lullaby Trust
• Keeping a clear cot — The Lullaby Trust
• Room sharing — The Lullaby Trust
• Mattresses and bedding — The Lullaby Trust
• Baby sleeping products (including the safety standards list) — The Lullaby Trust
• Product guide: a guide to buying safer sleep essentials (PDF) — The Lullaby Trust
• Temperature factsheet (PDF) — The Lullaby Trust
• Second-hand baby products — The Lullaby Trust
• Safer sleep on holiday (travel cots, Moses baskets and carrycots) — The Lullaby Trust
• Safe sleep advice for babies — NHS
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) — NHS
• Baby sleep products — RoSPA
• OPSS launches new baby sleeping products resources — GOV.UK (OPSS)
• Notice of publication 0100/24: references to standards under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (lists EN 716-1, EN 1130 and EN 1466) — GOV.UK (Department for Business and Trade)
• Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls — GOV.UK (OPSS)

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or individual safety advice. If you're unsure which product suits your baby, ask a trained retailer, your midwife or health visitor.