Cots, portacots and mattresses: why safety is essential
A safe cot or portacot and a safe mattress are key elements in 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.
Safe cots and how to use them
The safest cot is one that meets Australian/NZ Standard AS/NZS 2172. All new cots sold in Australia meet this Standard. Look for the Standards label, or check with the manufacturer or retailer.
You can get the details of AS/NZS 2172 at Product Safety Australia – Household cots.
Using your 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 Australian/NZ Standard AS/NZS 2195. All new portacots sold in Australia meet this Standard. Look for the Standards label, or check with the manufacturer or retailer.
You can get the details of AS/NZS 2195 at Product Safety Australia – Folding cots.
Using the 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
A safe cot or portacot mattress is:
- firm, flat and level
- well-fitting
- clean.
Firm, flat and level
A firm, flat and level mattress helps to ensure that your child can breathe easily.
To check whether a mattress is firm, you can look for the voluntary Australian standard for mattress firmness – AS/NZS 8811.1:2013. Firm mattresses are made from materials that don’t move. In contrast, materials like tea tree, bean bag filling and water can move and aren’t safe.
To ensure that the mattress is flat and level, you can check that there’s nothing propping up the mattress at one end or tilting it from side to side.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s comfort, it might help to know that your baby will be comfortable on a firm, flat and level mattress.
Well-fitting
A well-fitting mattress helps to stop your child from getting their head wedged or jammed in gaps between the mattress and the cot side.
To ensure that the mattress is well-fitting, put the mattress in the centre of the cot and check that it has no more than a 20-mm gap between the mattress and the cot sides and ends.
If you’re using a portable cot, use only the firm, thin, well-fitting mattress that comes with it. Don’t add a second 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 AS or AS/NZ 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.
