How do I transition my baby from a bedside crib to a cot?
Short answer: Try naps in the cot first, keep the same bedtime routine and sleep bag, and keep the cot in your room until at least 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 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.
- Keep the routine consistent. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but are sometimes put on their fronts are at higher risk.
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
- Pembrey Cot Bed and Under Drawer
- Ickle Bubba Coleby Classic Cot Bed and Under Drawer
- Vox Vintage Fresh Convertible Cot Bed 70 x 140cm
- Obaby Orla 2 Piece Room Set - White with Natural
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can an 8 month old still sleep in a bedside crib?Can a Moses basket be used overnight?How do I reduce the risk of SIDS?Can a 2 week old have a cot bumper?Bedside crib quizYour 6 month'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: 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.