Are Moses baskets safe for newborns?
Short answer: Yes, when used as designed: baby on their back, feet to foot, on the basket's own firm flat mattress, with nothing else inside, in your room. Look for BS EN 1466.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Use the mattress made for that basket, so it fits with no gaps.
- Use the basket on the floor or on its own stand, never on a raised surface like a sofa or table.
- Check the weight limit in the instructions.
What the guidance says
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in the feet-to-foot position (feet at the bottom of the cot, Moses basket or pram).
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition, with no raised or cushioned edges, that fits the cot or Moses basket with no gaps.
- Moses baskets and carrycots: look for BS EN 1466:2014 or BS EN 1466:2023.
- The NHS advises placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.
Related questions
What is a Moses basket?
A small, light, portable basket bed for newborns, often used on a stand.
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Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can a 10 month old have a cot bumper?Your 2 month's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideCan a 3 month old sleep with a soft toy?Can an 8 month old still sleep in a Moses basket?Your 2 week's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideSummer sleep safety quizAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.