Yes, a newborn can go straight into a cot if it meets safe sleep standards, with a firm flat mattress and in your room for the first six months.
Bringing a baby home changes nights fast, and many parents wonder where their baby should sleep and whether a full-size cot is suitable from the first night.
The short answer is that a cot can be a safe, cosy sleep space from birth when you set it up well and follow proven safe sleep guidance.
Can A Newborn Go Straight Into A Cot? Safe Sleep Basics
Health bodies in the UK and worldwide state that the safest place for a young baby to sleep is in a separate, clear sleep space such as a cot, crib or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months. That means a standard cot is suitable from birth as long as it meets current safety standards and you keep the sleep space clear and flat.
| Sleep Option | Main Features | Best Used When |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Cot | Fixed frame, firm flat mattress, long-term sleep space | From birth to toddler years in parents' room, then nursery |
| Bassinet Or Crib | Smaller, lighter bed that often sits beside your bed | From birth to around 3–6 months, while baby is small and less mobile |
| Moses Basket | Portable basket with handles and a fitted mattress | During the early weeks for naps and night sleep in the same room |
| Travel Cot | Foldable frame with fabric sides and a firm base | Short trips away from home, or as a secondary sleep space |
| Bedside Crib | Attaches to your bed, with its own firm sleep surface | From birth when you want baby close by for feeds without bed sharing |
| Co-Sleeping In Adult Bed | Baby on same mattress as parent or parents | Not recommended for young babies due to raised suffocation and SIDS risk |
| Swing, Car Seat Or Bouncer | Upright or inclined seat with straps | For supervised awake time only, not for routine sleep |
Guidance from groups such as the NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics stresses rules: babies sleep on their backs for every sleep, day and night, on a firm flat surface, and in their own clear space. A well assembled cot with a good mattress matches those rules and gives plenty of growing room.
Parents often ask themselves, "can a newborn go straight into a cot?" while still in the maternity ward or during those first sleepy evenings at home. Knowing that trusted organisations endorse cots, cribs and similar beds as suitable from birth can ease that choice.
Taking A Newborn Straight Into A Cot Safely
Putting a tiny baby into a large cot can feel strange at first, yet a few simple tweaks help that big space feel snug and secure without adding loose items. Think about where the cot sits in your room, how you dress your baby, and what you leave out of the cot as well as what you put in.
Room Sharing With A Cot From Day One
Expert advice from groups such as the Lullaby Trust and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests room sharing, not bed sharing, for at least the first six months. Placing the cot next to your bed keeps feeds and night checks easy while still giving your baby their own firm mattress and clear sleep space.
Set the cot where you can reach in without stretching and where you will not trip over it in the dark. Keep cords, heaters and curtains away from the cot sides. A simple layout reduces hassle during nightly wake-ups and helps everyone settle back to sleep sooner.
Setting Up A Safe Cot For A Newborn
Before your baby arrives, assemble the cot according to the manufacturer's instructions and check that all screws and fittings are tight. The mattress should fit snugly with no gaps at the edges where a tiny head or limbs could slip. Use a firm, flat mattress that meets your country's safety standard, usually sold as a specific cot mattress instead of general foam.
Use one tight fitted sheet that wraps fully around the mattress. Keep pillows, quilts, cot bumpers, loose blankets, nests and positioners out of the cot, even when shop displays often show them. Newborns cannot move away from soft items that drift over the nose or mouth, so a clear cot makes a real difference.
Bedding, Sleepwear And Room Temperature
Dress your baby in a nappy and one or two thin layers such as a vest and sleepsuit. Many families use a baby sleeping bag with the correct tog rating for the room, which keeps your baby warm without loose blankets. Check your baby's chest or back to judge warmth instead of relying on hands or feet, which often feel cooler.
Most safe sleep advice suggests keeping the room between about 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. A simple room thermometer can help you get a feel for this range. Open the window a little if the room feels stuffy, and keep the cot away from direct radiators or strong sunlight so your baby does not overheat.
When A Bassinet Or Moses Basket May Help
Even though a cot is safe from birth, some parents prefer a smaller sleep space for the early weeks. A bassinet or Moses basket can feel easier to move around the house for daytime naps and may fit better in a small bedroom. The same safe sleep rules still apply, with a firm flat mattress and a clear sleep space on every occasion.
If you use a smaller bed, keep the height stable and make sure the stand is sturdy. Baby should not sleep in a basket placed on a sofa, soft surface or high counter. Once your baby can roll or push up strongly, or when they reach the weight limit set by the manufacturer, move them into the cot full time.
Comparing Cots And Smaller Sleep Spaces
A cot offers long-term value, as your baby can sleep in it through infancy and into toddler years with the base lowered. Smaller beds shine in the newborn phase, when you may want your baby close beside your bed or need to move their sleep space between rooms during the day. Many families use both, with the cot as the main bed and a smaller option for naps for a short season.
If you still wonder, "can a newborn go straight into a cot?", the short answer stays the same: yes, when that cot meets safety standards and you keep it clear. Whether you add a bassinet for a while comes down to budget, space and how you want your nights to run.
Newborn Cot Safety Checklist
Safe sleep habits grow from small repeatable steps. This checklist helps you double-check the cot set-up each night and during naps, so you do not need to rethink the rules at three in the morning.
| Checklist Item | What To Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Position | Place your baby on their back for every sleep | Back sleeping lowers the risk of SIDS and keeps airways clear |
| Sleep Space | Use a cot, crib or similar bed with firm flat mattress | Flat, firm surfaces reduce the chance of suffocation |
| Cot Contents | Keep cot clear of pillows, quilts, bumpers, teddies and nests | Loose, soft items may rest over the face or cause overheating |
| Room Sharing | Keep the cot in your room for at least the first six months | Sharing a room halves SIDS risk and makes night care easier |
| Temperature | Keep room in a comfortable cool range and dress baby in light layers | Helps prevent both overheating and getting too cold |
| Smoke And Substances | Keep baby's sleep area smoke free and avoid alcohol or drugs before bed | Exposure to smoke and substances raises the risk of sleep related death |
| Travel And Naps | Move baby back to a cot or travel cot after car trips and pram walks | Seats and prams are not designed for long, unsupervised sleep |
If a friend or relative helps with childcare, talk them through this checklist so that your baby sleeps in a safe cot set-up wherever they are. Consistency matters more than special gear or décor, and simple habits soon turn into muscle memory.
Final Thoughts On Newborns And Cots
Safe sleep guidance from trusted groups makes one point clear: a cot with a firm flat mattress and a clear sleep space is suitable from the first night at home. When that cot sits beside your bed and you place your baby on their back, you are following the same simple steps backed by years of research.
If worries linger, bring them to your midwife, health visitor or paediatrician and ask how general guidance fits your baby's health needs. Some babies need extra monitoring due to prematurity or medical conditions, and your care team can tailor advice without losing the core safe sleep rules.
Over time you will learn your baby's sleepy cues, find a bedtime rhythm that works in your home and walk into the bedroom with more confidence. Whether you start with a cot alone or mix in a smaller crib for a while, the same clear principles keep your newborn safe and snug all night long.
The choice of bed can feel like a big call, yet most of the heavy lifting happens through simple daily habits: back sleeping, a clear cot and room sharing for those early months. With those pieces in place, your baby can sleep soundly in their cot from the start while you rest a little easier too.