Can a Moses basket be used overnight?
Short answer: Yes. The NHS lists a Moses basket in your room as a safe place for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months, within the maker's limits.
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
- 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.
- Moses baskets and carrycots: look for BS EN 1466:2014 or BS EN 1466:2023.
Related questions
What is a Moses basket?
A small, light, portable basket bed for newborns, often used on a stand.
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More advice
Will a crib fit in a small nursery?British Standards for baby sleep products explainedWhat bedding goes in a Moses basket?Can a 1 year old sleep with a soft toy?Travel cots on holiday: a safe sleep checklistYour 2 week's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideAll 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.