Safe sleep guidelines (The Lullaby Trust / NHS)
The UK follows safe sleep guidelines developed by The Lullaby Trust, which align with NHS recommendations. The key guidelines are:
- Always place baby on their back to sleep — never on their front or side. This is the single most important step to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
- Use a firm, flat mattress — avoid memory foam, soft mattresses, or mattresses with raised sides.
- Keep the cot clear — no pillows, duvets, bumpers, soft toys, or positioners in the sleep space under 12 months.
- Room share for 6 months — keep baby's sleep space (cot, crib, or Moses basket) in your room for at least the first 6 months.
- Keep baby smoke-free — both during pregnancy and after birth. Never sleep with a baby if you have smoked.
- Don't overheat — keep the room at 16–20°C and dress baby appropriately. Check temperature with a room thermometer.
Cots, cribs, and Moses baskets
Moses basket or carry cot
Portable and cosy for the first 3–4 months, but outgrown quickly. A good option for those who want to move baby around the house easily. Must be placed on a firm, flat surface — never on a sofa or soft furniture.
Bedside crib (next-to-me cot)
Attaches to the side of your bed at the same height, keeping baby within arm's reach without the risks of bed-sharing. Popular options include the Snüz SnüzPod 4 and Chicco Next2Me. Suitable for around the first 6 months.
Full-size cot
The main long-term sleep space. Look for solid slats (no wider than 6.5cm apart), no drop sides, and compliance with BS EN 716. Buy a new mattress even for a second-hand cot. See our top cot and crib picks.
Sleeping bags and swaddles
Swaddles (for newborns)
Swaddling replicates the womb and can help newborns settle. Stop swaddling as soon as baby shows signs of rolling (usually 2–4 months). Use hip-healthy swaddling technique to protect hip development. Zip-up swaddle suits like the Love to Dream Swaddle Up make swaddling easier. See our top swaddle picks.
TOG guide for sleeping bags
| Room temperature | Recommended TOG |
|---|---|
| Above 24°C | 0.5 TOG |
| 20–24°C | 1.0 TOG |
| 16–20°C | 2.5 TOG |
| Below 16°C | 3.5 TOG |
Most UK homes suit a 2.5 TOG sleeping bag for most of the year. Use a room thermometer to monitor temperature accurately — 16–20°C is the NHS-recommended range.
Baby monitors
A baby monitor gives you peace of mind when baby is sleeping in another room. Options range from simple audio monitors to video monitors with breathing tracking. See our top baby monitor picks for a full breakdown.
- Audio monitors — simple, reliable, no privacy concerns. Good range for most UK homes. Often DECT technology.
- Video monitors — see as well as hear baby. Available as dedicated units or Wi-Fi connected (accessible via smartphone).
- Breathing/movement monitors — clip-on devices (like Owlet) or under-mattress pads that track baby's breathing. Popular for anxious parents, though evidence for reducing SIDS risk is limited.
White noise and sleep aids
White noise can help babies settle by masking household sounds and replicating the sounds heard in the womb. Use at around 65 decibels (conversation level) and keep the device at least 2 metres from baby's sleeping space. A fan, free smartphone app, or dedicated white noise machine all work.
Other evidence-based sleep aids include a dummy (the NHS recommends offering one at every sleep from 1 month), a dark room (blackout blinds), and a consistent bedtime routine from around 6–8 weeks.
Baby sleep products to avoid
- Cot bumpers — banned in some countries and not recommended in the UK; they pose a suffocation and entrapment risk.
- Sleep positioners or wedges — no evidence of safety benefit and can restrict movement.
- Pillows and duvets under 12 months — risk of overheating and suffocation.
- Inclined sleepers — products like the Boppy Lounger have been linked to infant deaths; avoid any product that keeps baby at an angle while sleeping.