A soft toy can feel like the obvious bedtime companion - especially when your little one loves cuddling it during feeds, pram walks or wind-down time. But are cot toys safe once your baby is asleep? For young babies, the clearest answer is simple: keep the cot clear. A bare, well-prepared sleep space gives your baby the safest possible place to rest.
That does not mean comfort toys have no place in your family’s routine. They can be wonderfully familiar, calming companions during supervised play, cuddles and bedtime settling. The key is knowing when a toy is for comfort before sleep, when it may be appropriate to introduce a small comforter, and what needs to stay out of the cot altogether.
Are cot toys safe for newborns and young babies?
For newborns and young babies, soft toys, comforters, pillows, doonas, loose blankets and cot bumpers should stay out of the cot during sleep. Australian safe sleep guidance recommends placing baby on their back in their own safe cot or bassinet, with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet only.
Babies do not yet have the head and neck control to reliably move away if something covers their face. A plush toy may look light and harmless, but it can create a suffocation risk if it ends up near your baby’s nose and mouth. Even a small lovey can bunch up, shift position or make it harder for a very young baby to keep their airway clear.
This can be disappointing when you have chosen a beautiful nursery toy or a soothing sound companion. Think of that toy as part of the bedtime ritual, rather than part of the sleep surface. You can hold it while feeding, use it for a calm cuddle before bed, then place it safely outside the cot before laying baby down.
Why cot toys carry different risks at different ages
A child’s development changes quickly, so the right answer is not always the same at six weeks, eight months and two years. The safest choice depends on your child’s age, mobility and habits, as well as the toy itself.
Red Nose Australia advises keeping soft toys out of the sleep space until at least seven months, while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping all soft objects out for the first 12 months. Love By Emi recommends the more cautious of the two: keep comforters out of the cot until your little one is 12 months old. Our safe sleep guide explains how to use a comforter at each age.
A toddler who can confidently move around, sit up and remove an item from their face has different needs from a newborn. Even then, the cot or bed should not become crowded. Large plush toys can still be a climbing aid, especially once your little explorer starts attempting to climb over the cot rail. Toys with long ties, ribbons, loops, cords or detachable pieces should never be left within reach during sleep.
A safer way to use comforting toys at bedtime
A predictable routine can help little ones recognise that sleep is coming. A bath, nappy change, feed, dim lights, story and cuddle with a favourite toy can all become reassuring cues. The toy offers familiarity, while the sleep space stays free from loose items for babies who are not yet ready for them.
If your child uses a white noise plush or musical toy, follow the product instructions carefully. For babies, it is generally safest to position sound devices outside the cot, rather than attaching or placing them inside it. Keep the volume gentle and the device well away from your baby’s head. A soothing sound should support a calm room, not be loud enough to compete with normal conversation.
For removable sound machines, always check that the sound unit is securely enclosed before supervised use. Remove the electronic component before washing a plush toy if the care instructions say to do so, and inspect the toy when it comes out of the wash. Worn seams, exposed stuffing or a loose battery compartment are signs it needs to be repaired or retired.
What to check before giving your child a cot toy
Not every toy labelled for babies is designed for unsupervised sleep. Product labels and age recommendations matter, but they are only the starting point. A toy may be ideal for tummy time or car trips while still being unsuitable for the cot overnight.
Before introducing any comfort item, look closely at its size, construction and features. A good safety check includes:
- No long cords, ties, ribbons, loops or straps that could become tangled around your child.
- No loose eyes, buttons, bells, beads or decorations that could detach and become a choking hazard.
- No damaged stitching, torn fabric, exposed filling or accessible batteries.
- A size and weight that is appropriate for your child, never oversized or heavy in the sleep space.
- Clear care instructions, age guidance and secure closures for any sound or battery components.
It is also worth checking toys regularly, not just when you first buy them. Babies and toddlers are tough on their favourite things. A comforter that began in perfect condition can develop a loose thread after weeks of chewing, dragging around the house and repeated washing.
Cot attachments need extra care
Toys that clip, tie or hang from a cot can create their own risks. As your baby grows, they may grab, pull or become tangled in an attachment. Anything suspended above or along the side of the cot needs to be removed as soon as your child can reach it, and many products are best treated as supervised-play items from the beginning.
Mobiles need the same thoughtful approach. They can be lovely for a short, awake moment while you are nearby, but they are not a sleep essential. Once your baby starts pushing up, rolling or reaching, it is time to take them down. Their reach often develops sooner than parents expect.
When can a comforter go in the cot?
There is no single birthday that makes every comforter safe. Red Nose guidance allows a small, light comfort item from around seven months; we recommend waiting until 12 months, in line with the AAP. Some families wait longer again, particularly if their child sleeps very deeply, moves little during sleep or tends to pull fabric over their face.
If you do introduce one, choose a small, simple comforter without loose additions. Start by observing how your child uses it during awake, supervised time. Do they cuddle it, drop it, chew it, or pull it over their head? Their behaviour offers helpful clues about whether they are ready.
For children under two, keeping the sleep space uncluttered remains a sensible approach. If your child has transitioned from a cot to a toddler bed, avoid filling the bed with large soft toys. One familiar comfort item is usually more than enough for reassurance.
Frequently asked questions about cot toy safety
Can my baby sleep with a white noise toy?
For young babies, use the sound feature as part of the room environment rather than placing the plush toy in the cot. Keep the toy or sound machine outside the sleep space, at a gentle volume and away from your baby’s head. Love By Emi’s music box lifts out of the plush, so it can sit on a shelf out of reach while the cot stays clear. This lets you build a familiar settling cue without adding loose items to the cot.
Are breathable mesh toys safe in a cot?
“Breathable” does not automatically mean safe for unsupervised infant sleep. Any loose toy or comfort item can still move over a baby’s face or become tangled. For a newborn or young baby, the safest cot is still a clear cot.
What if my baby only settles with their favourite toy?
Use the toy generously during the lead-up to sleep: cuddle it during a story, hold it while singing, or place it nearby while you supervise a feed. Then remove it before putting your baby down. Repeating the same calm routine can help the familiar sound, scent and cuddle become part of the settling pattern, without relying on the toy staying in the cot.
Can toddlers sleep with soft toys?
Often, yes, provided the toys are age-appropriate, in good condition and do not create a climbing or entanglement risk. Keep the number of toys low, avoid large or heavy plush items, and regularly check for loose parts. If your toddler is still in a cot and attempting to climb, remove anything they could use as a step.
Your baby does not need a crowded cot to feel secure. The most comforting thing they know is your steady, familiar routine: the same gentle words, the same sleep cues and the confidence that their sleep space is calm, clear and ready for rest.