Is a cot safe for a newborn?
Short answer: Yes, if it is designed for use from birth and used as the instructions say. 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).
- 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
- 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).
- 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 Cot - White
- Obaby Stamford Space Saver Cot in Warm Grey
- Stamford Space Saver Sleigh Cot - White
- Coleby Space Saver Cot
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
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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.