Can my baby have a soft toy in the cot?
Short answer: Not under 12 months. The NHS and the Lullaby Trust say to keep soft toys out of the cot, because they could cover your baby's face.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Check the internal size and buy a mattress that fits with no gaps.
- Adjustable base heights let you lower the mattress as your baby learns to sit and stand.
- Teething rails protect the top rails from little teeth.
What the guidance says
- Keep the cot clear: no pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys, pods, nests, wedges or anything to keep your baby in place.
- Follow safer-sleep advice for every sleep until your baby is 12 months old (12 months from the due date for premature babies).
Related questions
What is a cot?
A framed baby bed with fixed sides, usually taking a 120 x 60cm mattress.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - White
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - Warm Grey
- Coleby Space Saver Cot
- Hartley Classic Cot
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can a 4 month old sleep in a toddler bed?What do I need for a newborn's sleep?Is a cot right for you? Quick quizShould I use a dummy at night?Your 8 month's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideTwins safe sleep quizAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice (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.