Is a crib 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).
- Use a mattress made to fit that crib exactly.
- If it rocks or glides, check there is a lock and use it for sleep where the instructions say to.
- Check the weight and stage limits.
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 crib?
A small free-standing baby bed, sometimes with a rocking or gliding action, sized between a Moses basket and a cot.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Ickle Bubba Bubba&Me Bedside Crib
- CoZee Air 2 Bedside Crib
- CoZee Sense Bedside Crib
- Bubba&Me Luxe Bedside Crib
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can a 10 month old sleep in a cot?Can a 10 month old sleep on their side?Can an 18 month old sleep in a cot?Bedside crib vs travel cot: which is better?Bed-sharing risks quizSummer sleep safety 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.