Can a 3 month old sleep in a cot bed?
Short answer: Yes. A cot bed with a firm, flat mattress is suitable from birth, in your room for at least the first 6 months.
Babies change fast, so the answer depends on your child's age, weight and development, and on your product's instructions.
What the guidance says
- The NHS advises placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.
- 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.
- Keep the cot clear: no pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys, pods, nests, wedges or anything to keep your baby in place.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Ickle Bubba Snowdon 4 in 1 Mini Cot Bed
- Grace Inspire Cot Bed - Me & Mini Me Elephants - Grey
- Evie Cot Bed - White
- Ickle Bubba Coleby Classic Cot Bed
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Reflux and positioning quizCan a 10 month old sleep in a travel cot?Can an adult sit or lie in a cot bed?How do I make a cot safe for a newborn?Travel cot quizGrandparents' safe sleep 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.