Q&A Forum

11/9/22

Susan

I have a floor bed for my baby and have done for all of my children. Is there any research to suggest a floor bed is not a safe option for them?

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Posted a response on 13/9/22

Red Nose Education

The general guidelines from safety organizations like Red Nose, Kidsafe & Raising Children Network recommends that the safest place for baby to sleep is in a cot that meets Mandatory Australian Standards on a firm, clean well fitting & flat mattress.
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-steps-can-i-take-to-sleep-my-baby-safely
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/sleep
https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/safe-sleeping/

General information from Red Nose, for moving from a cot to a bed includes.
For safety reasons, when a young child is observed attempting to climb out of the cot and looking like they might succeed, it is time to move them out of the cot.
This usually occurs when the child is between 2 and 3.5 years of age but could be as early as 18months.
https://rednose.org.au/resources/education

If a child younger than 18mths is being slept on a mattress/floor bed, consideration needs to be given as to where this child is slept, what risks are there in the child’s environment (what do they have access to now they are no longer in a cot) & what supervision is being provided.

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