Keeping a clear cot: the safest cot

The safest cot is a clear cot. To lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), keep the cot clear of any items that could cover your baby's face and head, such as bumpers, toys and loose bedding.

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The safest cot is a clear cot

The safest cot for a baby is a clear cot. That means removing anything that isn’t essential. Babies need just two items in their cot:

A firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
Lightweight bedding.

It’s important to remove anything that isn’t essential because items such as toys, blankets and bumpers could cover their face and obstruct their breathing.

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Choosing a baby mattress and bedding

There is a massive range of baby sleep products to choose from and it can be really confusing to know what your baby really needs. Our advice is simple: the safest cot is a clear cot.  The mattress should be flat and firm, with a waterproof cover. The bedding should be appropriate to the room temperature, firmly tucked in and not soft or bulky.

The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, in the same room as you. It could be a cot, crib, Moses basket, or pram carrycot. Whichever option you choose, or if they’re bed-sharing with an adult, keep their sleep space clear. 

The safest cot is a clear cot.

Keep the cot clear

When preparing your baby’s sleep space, remember: 

No pillows or duvets 
No cot bumpers 
No soft toys or comforters 
No weighted or bulky bedding
No products designed to keep your baby in one sleeping position, such as wedges or straps 
No pods or nests, rolled up towels or anything soft placed on top of the mattress.

There is evidence to suggest that babies are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if they have their heads covered, and some items added to a cot may increase the risk of this happening. Unnecessary items in a cot, such as cot bumpers and toys, can also increase the risk of accidents.

A close up of a baby's hand grasping the parent's hand

No product can reduce the risk of SIDS

We can’t comment on individual products, but advise you to read the safety advice when choosing products. Sadly, there are no products that can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and we advise parents to be cautious about any products that claim they can. 

Instead, follow our evidence-based safer sleep advice for every sleep, day and night: 

Lie baby on their back at the foot of the cot (feet-to-foot), so they can’t wriggle down under bedding.
Keep the cot clear of unnecessary items.
Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
Keep baby smoke-free.
Avoid letting baby get too hot.
Sleep baby in the same room as you for at least the first six months.

Check that any product you’re thinking of buying has passed the necessary safety checks and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions that come with it. 

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Frequently asked questions

Are waterproof mattress protectors safe for babies?

A waterproof mattress or protector is a great idea for your baby’s cot, as it will help keep the mattress clean and dry because you can wipe it clean easily.

A baby’s needs are different to an adult’s. Rather than being breathable, it’s more important that a mattress is waterproof or has a fitted waterproof cover. This helps to stop bacteria building up inside the mattress so there is less risk of infection, which may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

What is the best mattress to buy for a baby?

While we don’t recommend any specific products, there are a few simple essentials that can help you choose a cot:

Make sure it has a firm, flat mattress with a waterproof cover. Avoid soft mattresses, and mattresses with any soft areas, cushioned sides or raised edges, especially around the baby’s head. These products can mean the baby gets too hot or even block their breathing if their face presses against a soft area.
Keep the cot clear of any extra items such as pillows and toys, all the baby needs is lightweight bedding, firmly tucked in no higher than their shoulders, or a baby sleeping bag.
Also check the cot meets British safety standards – find out more in the next question.

How do I choose a cot for my newborn?

The main thing to look out for is a cot with a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress, with no cot bumpers, raised or soft edges, or anything designed to keep the baby in one position such as wedges or straps.

Check that any product you’re thinking of buying has passed the British safety standards for baby sleep products. These tells you that a product has passed certain safety tests, such as making sure it will not fall apart or easily catch fire. You should also check these if you buy or are given a cot second hand. The safety standards you need are:

Cots and travel cots: BS EN 716-1:2017

Moses baskets and carry cots: BS EN 1466:2014 or
BS EN 1466:2023

Bedside cribs: Since 2020, all bedside cribs should meet the new crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019. Meaning cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down.

Mattresses: BS 7177:2008+A1:2011

Mattresses for cots, travel cots and cribs: BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021

Plus, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions that come with the cot.

What should my baby sleep in?

Babies should sleep in their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket, with a firm, flat, mattress with a waterproof cover. Avoid any raised, soft or padded sides because it’s possible for the baby’s face to press against them which would block their breathing, and place the baby flat on their back to keep their airways open. Having a waterproof mattress cover means you can keep them clean easily.

The safest cot is a clear cot: keep the cot clear of any items that could cover your baby’s face and head, such as bumpers, toys and loose bedding. This will help keep their airways clear so they can breathe easily.

Even though it’s best to have their own sleep space, keep your baby in the same room as you for the first six months so you can keep an eye on them.

Don’t sleep you baby in anything that puts them in an upright seated position such as a car seat or high chair because their heads can flop forward meaning their airways aren’t clear. It’s OK if a baby falls asleep in a car seat while driving short distances but take them out as soon as you get to your destination and place them on a flat surface.

One man is holding a baby with the baby's head near his chin. The other man is holding the baby's hand in his, and putting his mouth to the baby's hand. Both men are smiling.

Remember

We have lots more safe sleep advice which will help you to lower the risk of SIDS, give you confidence, and help you create a safe and cosy sleep environment for your little one. We hope this information answers your questions about the safest cot for your baby and how to keep them safe while they’re sleeping.

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