What is SIDS?
Short answer: The NHS describes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby aged up to 12 months. It used to be called cot death.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- 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
- SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby aged up to 12 months. It is rare, and more likely in the first 6 months.
- Follow safer-sleep advice for every sleep until your baby is 12 months old (12 months from the due date for premature babies).
- 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).
Related questions
What is a cot?
A framed baby bed with fixed sides, usually taking a 120 x 60cm mattress.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Stamford Space Saver Sleigh Cot - White
- Bantam Cot - White
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - Warm Grey
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - White
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Bedside cribs buying guide for UK parentsBath time safety quizCot set-up quiz for new parentsBritish Standards for baby sleep products explainedMoses baskets buying guide for UK parentsYour 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.