Sleep Safety for Babies and Toddlers at Home

September 03, 2026

The quietest part of the day can bring the biggest questions. Is the cot set up safely? Is baby warm enough? Is the mattress right? Thoughtful sleep safety is not about creating a perfect nursery or buying every new sleep accessory. It is about making a few clear, evidence-informed choices that give your baby a safer, healthier place to rest - and give you more peace of mind.

For babies, the safest sleep space is deliberately simple: a clear, flat cot or bassinet with a firm, well-fitted mattress, appropriate bedding and no unnecessary extras. As children grow, their needs change, but the principle remains the same. Their sleep environment should support comfort without introducing avoidable risks.

Sleep safety starts with a clear cot

For every sleep, including short daytime naps, place your baby on their back in their own safe sleep space. Australian safe sleep guidance recommends that babies sleep in their own safe sleep space in the same room as their parent or caregiver during the early months of life. Always refer to current Red Nose safe sleep recommendations for guidance on room-sharing and sleeping arrangements.

A safe cot should contain only what your baby needs to sleep. That means a firm mattress and a fitted sheet designed for that mattress. Keep pillows, doonas, loose blankets, soft toys, cot bumpers, nests, wedges and sleep positioners out of the cot. These items may look cosy, but babies cannot reliably move away from soft or loose objects that cover their face or restrict airflow.

This simplicity can feel at odds with the beautifully styled nurseries seen online. But a bare cot is not an unfinished cot. For a baby, it is a carefully considered sleep space where safety comes before decoration.

Keep the sleep surface flat and firm

A baby mattress should provide a stable, flat surface that does not sag beneath your baby's weight. Firmness matters because an overly soft surface can allow the face to press into the mattress, making it harder for a young baby to maintain a clear airway.

The mattress should fit snugly inside the cot, with no significant gaps around the sides where a baby could become trapped. Check the fit again whenever you change cot models, replace a mattress or move the mattress between rooms. A fitted sheet must also sit smoothly and securely, without coming loose at the corners.

Avoid elevating one end of the cot mattress for reflux, congestion or comfort unless you have specific advice from a qualified health professional. Inclined surfaces can allow a baby to slide into a position that affects breathing. Flat, firm and clear remains the safest foundation.

Choosing a mattress with sleep safety in mind

A mattress is one of the few nursery essentials your baby will use for many hours each day. It deserves closer attention than a quick squeeze in a showroom or a product description that simply says soft and comfortable.

Look first for firmness, a supportive structure and a design that meets relevant Australian infant mattress firmness requirements. A quality cot mattress should retain its shape over time, rather than developing dips or soft spots. It should also be made to fit the cot dimensions correctly.

Materials matter, too. Babies spend long periods close to their mattress, so many families prefer transparent, natural materials over conventional polyurethane foam, chemical adhesives and added fire retardants. Certified organic cotton, natural latex, organic coconut coir and Australian wool can offer a considered alternative when they are used in an appropriately firm infant mattress design.

Breathable materials are a welcome feature, particularly in Australia's warmer climate, but breathability is not a substitute for safe cot set-up. No mattress can make loose bedding, soft toys or unsafe positioning safe. Think of material choice as one part of a wider approach: supportive construction, a clear sleep space and careful daily habits all work together.

At Milari Organics, this is the balance behind eco-luxury for growing dreamers: natural, certified materials paired with the firmness and considered construction babies need for safer, healthier sleep.

New, second-hand and hand-me-down mattresses

A new mattress gives parents confidence about its history, hygiene and structural condition. If considering a second-hand or hand-me-down cot mattress, its history matters. Check that it remains firm, flat, clean, completely dry and free from mould, persistent odours, tears, sagging or permanent indentations. It must also fit the cot correctly. If its previous use, storage conditions or exposure to moisture are unknown, replacing it provides greater certainty about the sleep surface your baby will be using.

A hand-me-down may be practical in some families, but it is worth weighing that saving against the condition of the mattress and the certainty a new, correctly fitting option can provide. If there is any doubt about firmness, cleanliness or fit, replacement is the safer choice.

Dress for the room, not the season on the calendar

Overheating is another common concern for Australian parents, especially when temperatures shift overnight. Rather than relying on the month or the weather forecast, consider the actual room temperature and how your baby feels.

Dress your baby in light layers that can be adjusted easily. A correctly sized baby sleeping bag can be a useful option because it removes the need for loose blankets. Choose one with fitted neck and arm openings so your baby cannot slip down inside, and select the warmth rating to suit the room. Keep your baby's head and face uncovered during sleep, as babies release heat through their heads.

Check your baby by feeling their chest or the back of their neck, rather than their hands or feet, which can feel cool even when they are comfortable. If they are sweaty, hot or flushed, remove a layer. If the room is chilly, add an appropriate layer of clothing rather than a doona or loose blanket.

Heaters, heat packs, electric blankets and hot water bottles do not belong in a baby's sleep space. Position the cot away from direct heaters, sunny windows, cords and blinds. Fresh airflow is useful, but avoid placing the cot in a strong draught.

Everyday habits that protect sleep

Sleep safety is not limited to what sits inside the cot. The wider environment matters. Keep the home and car smoke-free, including e-cigarette vapour. Avoid smoking during pregnancy and around babies, as smoke exposure is associated with a higher risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy.

Use a cot that meets current Australian safety requirements and assemble it exactly as directed. Regularly check that screws, dropsides, mattress supports and fittings remain secure. As soon as your child can sit, pull up or climb, review the mattress height and remove nearby furniture they could use to climb out.

Be especially cautious with places not designed for routine sleep. Prams, car seats, bouncers, swings and loungers can be convenient when life is busy, but they are not replacements for a flat cot or bassinet. If your baby falls asleep in one of these products, move them to their safe sleep space as soon as practical.

Sleep safety changes as babies become toddlers

Toddlers need more comfort and autonomy, yet their bed should still be free from hazards. Once a child moves from a cot to a toddler bed, ensure the mattress fits properly and consider a low bed or suitable guard rail if falls are a concern. Anchor nearby furniture, keep cords out of reach and avoid placing the bed beneath shelves, windows or heavy wall décor.

Pillows require patience. Do not use a pillow for a baby. Many safe sleep guidelines advise waiting until at least two years of age before introducing one. When your child is developmentally ready, choose a low-profile toddler pillow that supports the head and neck without excessive height, and keep bedding light and manageable.

A toddler's room can gradually become more expressive, with favourite books, soft toys and comforting objects. The trade-off is that more objects create more to manage. Keep large toys, heavy cushions and climbing risks away from the bed, particularly during the transition from cot to bed when adventurous new skills often appear overnight.

Let calm preparation do the work

A safe sleep space does not need to be complicated, clinical or crowded with products. It needs to be firm, flat, clear, well-fitted and suited to your child's age and stage. Check the cot during your normal routine - when changing sheets, adjusting the room or preparing for bedtime - and trust the value of keeping things simple.

The most comforting nursery is one where you know every layer has a purpose, every material has been considered and your little one has the clear, supportive space they need to dream.

Baby Sleep Safety FAQs

What should be in a baby’s cot?

A baby’s cot should be kept simple and uncluttered. The safest sleep environment is a safe cot, a firm and flat mattress that fits correctly, and appropriate safe bedding. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, with their feet positioned at the bottom of the cot and their head and face uncovered. Avoid pillows, doonas, cot bumpers, lambswool, loose bedding and soft toys in the cot, as these can increase the risk of suffocation, overheating or entrapment.

How firm should a baby mattress be?

A baby mattress should be firm, flat, clean and the correct size for the cot. It should provide a stable, supportive sleep surface without allowing your baby's face or body to sink into it.

Milari Organics mattresses are tested and recommended by choice Australia for firmness in accordance with AS/NZS 8811.1:2013, the Australian voluntary standard for testing infant sleep surface firmness.

A mattress should always be used according to the cot manufacturer's specified size and depth requirements.

Can a baby sleep with a pillow?

No. Pillows are not recommended for babies sleeping in a cot.

Pillows and other soft items can cover a baby's face, restrict breathing and contribute to overheating. They can also become a climbing aid as an older baby becomes more mobile.

Red Nose recommends waiting until your child has transitioned from a cot to a child-sized bed before introducing a pillow or other soft bedding.

Can a baby sleep with a blanket?

If you choose to use a blanket, use a lightweight blanket and tuck it firmly underneath the mattress so it can only reach as high as your baby's chest.

Position your baby with their feet at the bottom of the cot to help prevent them from wriggling underneath the blanket.

A correctly fitted baby sleeping bag can be an alternative to blankets. Choose one with a fitted neck and armholes, no hood, and an appropriate TOG rating for the room temperature.

Never use doonas, quilts or other bulky bedding for a baby.

How should a cot mattress fit?

A cot mattress should fit snugly and securely within the cot, with no dangerous gaps between the mattress and the cot sides or ends.

For a household cot, Australian guidance specifies that the gap should be no greater than 20 mm when the mattress is centred. A poorly fitting mattress can create an entrapment hazard.

Always follow the cot manufacturer's specified mattress dimensions and depth.

For Milari Organics mattresses, always select the mattress size specified for your particular cot.

When should the cot mattress be lowered?

The cot mattress base should be lowered according to the cot manufacturer's instructions and before your baby can climb or pull themselves out of the cot.

In particular, check the manufacturer's instructions when your baby begins to sit, pull themselves up or stand.

As your baby becomes more mobile, keep the cot free from anything they could use as a step, including pillows, toys and other objects.

What is the safest room temperature for a baby?

There isn't one specific room temperature that Red Nose recommends for healthy babies. Instead, focus on keeping your baby comfortably warm without overheating.

Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature, just as you would dress yourself. Check your baby's tummy or back — it should feel comfortably warm. Cool hands and feet are normal.

Always keep your baby's head and face uncovered, and remove layers if your baby feels hot, flushed or sweaty.

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