Our pick for most familiesBirth to ~3 years
IKEA GULLIVER cot 70x132
A simple, low-cost cot labelled to the 2024 infant sleep standard, with a removable side for later.
Cots, bassinets & bedding
Red Nose advises that babies sleep in their own cot or bassinet, on their back, on a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly, with nothing else in it. Cots sold new in Australia must meet the mandatory household cots standard based on AS/NZS 2172, and from January 2026 new mandatory standards also cover other infant sleep products such as bassinets and portable cots. Check the compliance label, buy the mattress size the cot specifies, and treat 'breathable' or 'anti-suffocation' marketing as a claim, not a safety feature. Red Nose recommends room-sharing with your baby in their own safe sleep space for at least the first six months.
Premium pickBirth to ~3 years (with Bed extension)
Stokke Sleepi V3 (Mini, with Bed extension)
An oval Mini cot from birth that extends into a full cot later; beautiful, but you pay for it.
Compact pickBirth to ~2 years (check the maker's limit)
Boori Turin Compact Cot
A smaller-footprint cot on lockable wheels, for apartments or keeping baby in your room.
Also goodBirth to toddler bed
IKEA KRUMMELUR foam cot mattress 70x132
A firm foam mattress made to fit the GULLIVER cot exactly, so there are no gaps at the sides.
Things we don’t recommend, and why
- Inclined sleepers, nests, pods and sleep positioners. Sleeping on an incline or in a soft, enclosed product is linked to airway risks; babies need a firm, flat surface. Source: Red Nose: The dangers of inclined sleep products, ACCC Product Safety: Infant sleep products mandatory standards, CHOICE: Why are unsafe baby sleepers still sold in Australia?
- Cot bumpers, pillows, quilts and soft toys in the cot. Red Nose advises a clear cot with nothing that could cover a baby's face. Source: Red Nose: Cot bumpers and pillows, Red Nose: What is a safe cot?
- A mattress that leaves a gap at the sides, or a soft or second-hand mattress of unknown history. The mattress should be firm, flat and the right size for the cot. Source: Red Nose: What is a safe mattress?, Red Nose: Is it safe to use a second-hand mattress?
- Older second-hand cots without a compliance label. Older designs may have gaps, cut-outs or corner posts that no longer meet the standard. Source: ACCC Product Safety: Household cots mandatory standard, CHOICE: How to buy the best cot for your baby
Price bands for this category: $ < $300 · $$ $300–600 · $$$ $600–1,000 · $$$$ > $1,000. Prices change — check the retailer.