Is a toddler bed 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 mattress size it takes and buy a mattress that fits snugly.
- Side guards help stop your child rolling out in the early weeks.
- A low height makes it easier to climb in and out on their own.
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 toddler bed?
A low bed sized for a cot-bed mattress (often 140 x 70cm), usually with side guards, for children moving out of a cot.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Kidsaw Gruffalo Toddler Bed Frame Forest Themed
- Hoppekids Shorty Bunkbed + Safety Rail and Drawers
- Obaby Gatsby Single Bed
- Kidsaw Horse and Carriage Princess Toddler Bed with Toy Box
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can a 9 month old have a pillow?Can a 6 month old have a pillow?What mattress does a toddler bed need?Can an 18 month old sleep in a toddler bed?Your 2 year's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideToddler beds buying guide for UK parentsAll toddler beds and big-bed moves 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.