Safe cots, portacots and mattresses

Cots, portacots and mattresses: why safety is essential

A safe cot or portacot and a safe mattress can be part of a safe sleep environment for your child.

A safe sleep environment helps to keep your child’s airways open and reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents.

In the information below, we refer to the Australian Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024. This Standard applies to products like bassinets, cots, cradles, co-sleepers, inclined sleepers and portable folding cots. It also applies to things like bouncers, hammocks, recliners, rockers and swings, which are often advertised as products to help babies sleep but which aren’t safe for sleeping.

Safe cots and how to use them

The safest cot is one that meets the Australian Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024. All new cots sold in Australia meet this Standard. If you’re not sure whether a cot meets the Standard, check with the manufacturer or retailer.

Using a cot safely

Use the cot according to the instructions.
Make sure that there’s no more than a 20-mm gap between the mattress and any of the cot sides.
Make sure the cot is well maintained and clean.
Keep the space inside the cot clear – no pillows, toys, bumpers and so on.
Position the cot so that there’s a 30-cm clear space around it.
Check that your child can’t reach windows, mosquito nets, blind cords, nappy bags and so on.

Safe portacots and how to use them

The safest portacot, or portable cot, is one that meets the Australian Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024. All new portacots sold in Australia meet this Standard. If you’re not sure whether a portacot meets the Standard, check with the manufacturer or retailer.

Using a portacot safely

Use the portacot according to the instructions.
Use only the mattress that comes with the portacot. Never add another mattress.
Always check that the cot is properly locked together and stable.
Make sure the cot is well maintained and clean.
Keep the space inside the cot clear – no pillows, toys, bumpers and so on.
Make sure that any attachments like change tables don’t have straps that can dangle into the cot.
Position the cot so that there’s a 30-cm clear space around it.
Check that your child can’t reach windows, mosquito nets, blind cords, nappy bags and so on.

A safe sleep environment is essential wherever and whenever your baby sleeps – at home, when you’re travelling and when your baby is sleeping away from home without you.

Safe mattresses: what to look for

The safest cot or portacot mattress is one that meets the Australian Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024. If you’re not sure whether a mattress meets the Standard, check with the manufacturer or retailer.

Using a mattress safely

Make sure the mattress is firm. Firm mattresses are made from materials that don’t move. In contrast, materials like bean bag filling and water can move and aren’t safe.
Make sure the mattress is flat and level and not propped up at either end or tilted to either side.
Ensure the mattress is well-fitting with no more than a 20-mm gap between the mattress and the cot sides and ends.
If you’re using a portacot, use only the mattress that comes with the portacot. Don’t add a second mattress.
Keep the mattress clean. If your child is sick or has a wee or poo accident, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the mattress. You can keep the mattress clean by using a well-fitted waterproof protector under the sheet.

The safest bedding is a tight-fitting fitted sheet over a well-fitted waterproof mattress protector. The mattress protector should not be padded or soft. This makes it more likely that your child will be able to breathe easily, even if they roll over.

Second-hand cots and portacots

Friends and relatives might offer you their old cot or portable cot, or you might find some second-hand baby furniture on the internet. It’s important for your child’s safety to check the furniture before you buy, borrow or accept it.

Second-hand cots should:

meet Australian or Australian/New Zealand Standards
come with full instructions
be less than 5 years old
be clean and in good working order.

If you’re using a second-hand cot, it’s best to get a new mattress if you can. Remember to check that the mattress fits well – that is, that the gaps between the mattress and the cot sides and ends are no more than 20 mm.

If you’re using a second-hand portacot, make sure that it comes with its original mattress.

Be careful when buying second-hand furniture on the internet. It can be hard to check the safety of an older product if you can’t physically see, handle or test it.