Safe Sleep Week 2026: Baby Necessities
With so many baby products available, it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed. From sleep aids to bedding and accessories, it can be hard to know what your baby really needs — especially when advice can feel conflicting and the costs quickly add up.
This Safe Sleep Week, we’re focusing on baby necessities: the essential items your baby needs for safer sleep, and how to make sure the products you choose are as safe as possible.
Our key message is simple and reassuring:
The Safest Cot Is a Clear Cot
When it comes to your baby’s sleep space, less really is more. A safe sleep environment means removing anything that isn’t essential. Babies only need two things in their cot:
- A firm, flat mattress in good condition, with a waterproof cover
- Lightweight bedding, suitable for the room temperature
Items such as toys, pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, and loose blankets can increase the risk of a baby’s face becoming covered, which may affect their breathing. Keeping the cot clear helps reduce these risks.
Choosing a Mattress and Bedding
There’s a huge range of baby sleep products available, which can make choosing the right ones feel confusing. Our advice is to keep it simple:
- Choose a mattress that is firm, flat, and fits the cot properly
- Make sure bedding is lightweight, firmly tucked in, and not soft or bulky
- Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature, rather than adding extra bedding
According to the Lullaby Trust, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, in the same room as you. This could be a cot, crib, Moses basket, or pram carrycot. But, whatever sleep space you use, and even if you bed share. keeping the sleep area clear is key.
Keeping the Cot Clear
When preparing your baby’s sleep space, remember to avoid:
- Pillows or duvets
- Cot bumpers
- Soft toys or comforters
- Weighted or bulky bedding
- Products designed to keep babies in one position, such as wedges or straps
- Sleep pods, nests, rolled towels, or anything soft placed on top of the mattress
Research shows that babies are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if their head becomes covered during sleep. Unnecessary items in the cot can also increase the risk of accidents.
A Reminder About Sleep Products
It’s important to know that no product can reduce the risk of SIDS. We encourage parents to be cautious about items that claim to do so. Instead, following evidence-based safer sleep advice for every sleep — day and night — is the best way to protect your baby.
This includes:
- Always placing your baby on their back, with their feet at the foot of the cot
- Keeping the cot clear of unnecessary items
- Using a firm, flat, waterproof mattress
- Keeping your baby smoke-free
- Avoiding overheating
- Sleeping your baby in the same room as you for the first six months
- Checking that any product you buy meets safety standards and following manufacturer guidance
Our aim is to support you with clear, trusted guidance, so you can make choices that feel right for your family.
Useful links
Downloadable resources for professionals and information about this year’s Safer Sleep Week theme 👉 https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/about-us/our-campaigns/safer-sleep-week/
The Lullaby Trust’s downloadable product guide 👉 https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/resource/safer-sleep-product-guide/
Baby sleep product information 👉 https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/baby-product-information/baby-sleeping-products/
Keeping a clear cot 👉 https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/safer-sleep-information/keeping-a-clear-cot/