Can my baby sleep in a cot from birth?
Short answer: Yes. A cot with a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress is suitable from birth, as long as it is in your room for at least the first 6 months.
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
- 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.
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 - Warm Grey
- Stamford Space Saver Sleigh Cot - White
- Hartley Classic Cot
- Bantam Cot - White
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Travel cots buying guide for UK parentsCan an 8 month old sleep in a cot bed?Myths about back sleepingCan a 6 month old still sleep in a bedside crib?Your 15 month's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideRoom temperature and overheating 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.