What should I put in a Moses basket?
Short answer: Only the basket's own firm, flat mattress, a fitted sheet, and a sleeping bag or a lightweight blanket tucked in. Nothing else.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Use the mattress made for that basket, so it fits with no gaps.
- Use the basket on the floor or on its own stand, never on a raised surface like a sofa or table.
- Check the weight limit in the instructions.
What the guidance says
- The Lullaby Trust says a baby needs just two items in their cot: a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding.
- Keep the cot clear: no pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys, pods, nests, wedges or anything to keep your baby in place.
Related questions
What is a Moses basket?
A small, light, portable basket bed for newborns, often used on a stand.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- CoZee XL Bassinet Accessory Pack
- Dorel Rowan Valley Flint 3in1 Crib GRY Wrail
- Tutti Bambini CoZee Mini Me Play Crib - Oak/Charcoal
- Dorel Ivy 3in1 Convertible Metal Crib Grey
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Bed-sharing risks quizCan a 2 month old sleep in a toddler bed?Can a newborn still sleep in a Moses basket?Can a 1 year old sleep in their own room?Bed-sharing risks quizMoses basket safety quizAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice (accessed 2026-10-21)
- 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.