How to Set Up a Safe Baby Crib: The Complete Australian Checklist

Setting up your baby's crib for the first time is one of those tasks that feels simple until you start researching it. Let's cut through the noise — here's a practical, evidence-based checklist for setting up a safe baby crib in Australia.

Step 1: Start with the Right Cot or Bassinet

Your cot must meet Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172 (cots) or AS/NZS 2195 (folding cots). Check for a compliance label before purchasing any second-hand furniture. Key things to check:

• No gaps larger than 25mm between slats
• No corner posts that could catch clothing
• Sturdy frame with no wobble

Step 2: Choose the Right Mattress

The mattress should be:

• Firm and flat — press your hand into the centre; it should spring back immediately
• Fitted to the cot with no more than a 20mm gap on any side
• Clean and dry — replace any mattress that's been stored, damp, or heavily used
• Covered with a single fitted sheet — no loose fabric

Step 3: Consider a Crib Cushion for the Sides

Traditional crib bumpers have fallen out of favour with paediatric organisations because thick, padded bumpers can cause suffocation. However, a modern crib cushion like the Premium Baby Crib Cushion - CozyGuard™ is a different product entirely. Rather than a thick padded bumper, the CozyGuard™ is a slim, firm cushion that runs along the crib sides — preventing tiny arms and legs from slipping through cot slats (a genuine and painful problem from around 4 months).

The key difference: the CozyGuard™ is not placed behind the baby's head or near the face. It runs along the long sides and base — where limbs, not faces, interact with the cot sides.

Step 4: Temperature and Airflow

Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Red Nose Australia recommends:

• Room temperature between 16–20°C
• Dress baby in one more layer than you're wearing
• No quilts, duvets, or heavy blankets in the crib
• Use a baby sleeping bag (appropriate TOG rating) instead of loose blankets

Step 5: Clear the Clutter

A safe crib is a boring crib. Remove: stuffed animals and soft toys, pillows, loose blankets or muslins, and mobiles that hang over the crib once baby can reach them.

Your Safe Crib Checklist at a Glance

• ✅ Compliant cot frame (AS/NZS 2172 or 2195)
• ✅ Firm, flat, fitted mattress with single fitted sheet
• ✅ CozyGuard™ crib cushion along the sides (for 4+ months)
• ✅ Baby sleeping bag (appropriate TOG)
• ✅ Room temperature 16–20°C
• ✅ No loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys
• ✅ Cot positioned away from windows and heat sources

→ Shop the Premium Baby Crib Cushion - CozyGuard™ at Baby Bubble