The short answer
For every sleep, place your baby on their back in their own safe sleep space, on a firm, flat mattress that fits. Keep their head and face uncovered and the sleep space free of pillows, bumpers, toys and loose bulky bedding. Red Nose’s six safe sleep recommendations apply from birth to one year. A high Bench Score for a cot or bassinet does not replace these instructions or prove that a particular setup is safe.
This guide translates the guidance into buying decisions. It was checked against Red Nose and ACCC Product Safety information on 29 September 2026.
Red Nose’s six recommendations
The Red Nose guidance covers more than the furniture:
- Position your baby face-up whenever they sleep.
- Leave their face and head exposed.
- Avoid tobacco smoke during pregnancy and around baby afterward.
- Use a suitable sleep space for naps as well as nighttime.
- Keep a separate sleep space in your room for at least six months.
- Breastfeed when possible.
The fourth point is where a purchase decision meets daily use. Red Nose describes a safe mattress as firm, flat, clean, in good condition and the right size for the cot. It advises against pillows, cot bumpers, soft toys and other soft items in the sleep space. The same advice applies at nap time, not only overnight.
What to check before buying a cot or bassinet
Start with the product’s intended use. A bassinet, co-sleeper, household cot and folding cot each has its own design and instructions. Check the manufacturer’s age, weight and developmental limits and what mattress is specified. An attractive product photograph is no evidence that a mattress from another model will fit.
Australia’s mandatory infant sleep product safety and information standards have applied to suppliers since 19 January 2026. They cover products marketed for infant sleep, including bassinets, co-sleepers, household cots and portable folding cots. The information standard also requires warnings on some inclined products that are not intended for sleep, including bouncers and swings. A bouncer that settles a baby is not automatically a sleep space.
For a household cot, the ACCC’s buyer guidance says to look for the recommended mattress size and thickness, clear safety warnings, instructions and a stable construction without entrapment gaps. Our cot reviews compare published features and value. They do not certify compliance. Our bassinet and co-sleeper reviews can help narrow the field, but the product’s own warnings decide when use must stop.
The mattress is part of the setup
Buy the mattress specified for the cot or bassinet. Red Nose says it should be firm, flat and the right size, and its mattress advice warns against adding padding or another mattress to a portable cot. The ACCC likewise tells buyers to use the size and thickness designed for their household cot.
If you are comparing mattress materials and washable covers, settle the fit first. Our cot mattress sizing guide gives you a measurement checklist, and the mattress reviews compare the published specifications. A breathable-sounding name cannot compensate for a poor fit or a soft sleep surface.
A clear space stays clear
The ACCC advises keeping household cots away from blind cords, heaters, electrical appliances and mobiles within reach. It also advises against pillows, bumpers, extra padding, folded quilts and sleep positioners in the cot. If the cot has a drop side, the ACCC says to keep it raised and locked while baby sleeps and check the mechanism regularly. If the mattress base can be lowered, follow the manufacturer’s instructions as your child develops; the ACCC says to move it to the lower position once your child can sit, pull or stand.
These are use and setup questions, not design awards. A monitor, a clever rocker or a premium mattress does not change the core safe sleep advice. If you have a particular medical or developmental concern, seek advice from your child’s health professional and use Red Nose’s safe sleep advice service.
Before you buy
- Read the exact model’s instructions and warnings, including its sleep suitability and use limits.
- Confirm which mattress size and thickness the manufacturer specifies. Our fit guide explains why nominal labels are not enough.
- Check the current ACCC product recalls for the model.
- Compare products only after those checks. Start with the cot field or the bassinet field.
Checked 29 September 2026. This is a summary of linked Australian guidance, not a safety certification of any product or individual medical advice.
Evidence record
Sources checked
This guide draws on the following primary sources. Rules and guidance can change, so check the linked authority before relying on a detail.