Is co-sleeping safe?
Short answer: The safest place for your baby is a separate cot or Moses basket. If you do bed-share, the NHS gives steps to make it safer, and lists situations where you should never bed-share.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Check it is made to BS EN 1130:2019.
- Make sure the fixing straps suit your bed frame and leave no gap between the crib and your mattress.
- Check the maximum weight and stage limits in the instructions.
What the guidance says
- The safest place for your baby to sleep is a separate cot or Moses basket. If you ever share a bed, use a firm, flat mattress, keep pillows and covers away and do not swaddle.
- Do not bed-share if your baby was premature or under 2.5kg at birth, or if you or your partner smoke, have drunk alcohol, or have taken drugs or drowsy medicine.
Related questions
What is a bedside crib?
A small crib with a drop-down or removable side that attaches safely to your bed, so your baby has their own separate sleep space beside you.
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- CoZee Air 2 Bedside Crib
- Cloud Bedside Crib - Grey
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- 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 6 week old still sleep in a bedside crib?Are Moses basket sheets universal?Are travel cots all the same size?Is it safe to put a cot in a loft or bay window?Room sharing for the first six months: a practical set-upSwaddling true or falseAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (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.