How to safely settle baby to sleep
There's nothing as beautiful as a sleeping baby. Make sure you know how to settle baby to sleep safely in a bassinet, cradle, or cot whether at home or away. There are also children’s nightwear and products that are unsafe for your baby to sleep in.
Follow our guides to help you buy and use products to safely settle baby to sleep.
Choose safe products
Look for safety warning statements
Some baby products sold in Australia are required to have safety information or features. Mandatory standards may apply to some products. When buying, look for products with safety warning statements or the key safety features listed in our product guides.
You can check which products have mandatory standards.
Research the product and retailer
Online ratings and reviews are a great source of information. Talk to other parents and friends about their experience with the product and what they found useful.
Buying online? Look carefully at photographs and descriptions
Look at photographs and listing descriptions carefully. Not all products available online will meet mandatory standards. They should include safety warning statements and the age range the product is designed for.
If the retailer doesn’t provide this information, don’t buy it, it’s not worth the risk.
Buying second-hand? Ask the seller questions
Make sure they have the instructions and that you check the product in person before you buy. If you’re not sure it meets the mandatory standard, don’t buy it, it’s not worth the risk.
See our guidance on buying second-hand products.
Check if the product's been recalled
Check if your product has been recalled in Australia. You can subscribe to stay up to date. You should also check if it’s been recalled overseas.
Check the label when you buy children’s nightwear. Don’t buy nightwear labelled with high fire danger if your child will be near open flames and heat sources.
Safely use products
- Always settle your baby in a safe sleep environment for every sleep. They should be on their back on a flat, firm, level and clean surface, with their head and face uncovered. Babies can suffocate when surrounded by padding, pillows, bumpers, blankets or soft toys.
- Some baby products are unsafe to sleep in, if they have restraints or put baby in an inclined or curved position. You should not allow baby to sleep in baby nests/loungers, bouncers, rockers, swings or hammocks. These products are a suffocation risk. Propping up baby on pillows, sleep positioners or beanbags should be avoided too.
- Mattresses should fit snug and flat within the cot, bassinet or cradle.
- Soft toys and sleep aids may look cute and cuddly in your baby’s cot, bassinet or cradle, but they’re unsafe for babies. A safe sleep environment will help protect them from serious injuries.
- Put your baby down to sleep away from:
- loose blind or curtain cords, decorative mobiles and heaters. Keeping these items out of baby’s reach can prevent injuries from strangulation or burns
- hanging frames or floating shelves, to prevent injuries from falling furniture
- cords from baby monitors, sleep alarms, lamps and nightlights, to avoid potential strangulation.
- Make sure the product is right for the age and size of your baby. Using products that your baby has grown out of or hasn’t grown into is dangerous.
- Always read product warnings and labels, and follow instructions for safe assembly, use and maintenance. Only use the product for its designed purpose.
- Regularly check for wear and tear. Don’t use a damaged product.
- Visit the Red Nose safe sleep advice hub for more resources.