How do I set up a safe sleep space?
Short answer: A separate cot or Moses basket in your room, a firm flat waterproof mattress, nothing else in the cot except lightweight bedding, baby on their back with feet to foot, and the room at 16C to 20C.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Check the mattress size listed for the frame. 140 x 70cm is common, but not universal.
- Keep every conversion panel, bolt and instruction sheet for the toddler-bed stage.
- Look at adjustable base heights, teething rails and any matching furniture.
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.
- The Lullaby Trust says a baby needs just two items in their cot: a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding.
- 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).
- Keep the room between about 16C and 20C and check it with a room thermometer.
Related questions
What is a cot bed?
A cot with removable sides and ends that converts into a toddler bed, most often taking a 140 x 70cm mattress.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Tutti Bambini Japandi 3pc Room Set - Light Oak
- Coleby Classic Cot Bed & Under Drawer
- Vox Vintage Fresh Baby Cot 60 x 120cm
- Coleby Scandi Classic Cot Bed and Under Drawer
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Which cot bed suits your nursery?Can a 3 month old still sleep in a bedside crib?Is a crib better than a Moses basket?What if my baby rolls onto their tummy in their sleep?Sleep position quizWhich cot bed suits your nursery?All 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.