Follow the Ministry of Health Safe Sleep Guidelines:

  • Babies should sleep in their own structure, with no pillows, toys, or bumpers.
  • Babies should not sleep in or on adult beds (you can co-sleep safely by placing your Manuka Baby Bed on your bed). Babies should sleep in a firm structure
  • Babies should sleep on a firm mattress, with a maximum thickness of 40mm (our mattresses are 25mm thick, and are tested to ensure they comply with the AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 safety standard)
  • Babies should sleep on their back, with their face uncovered
  • The area where baby sleeps should be smoke, drug, and alcohol free
Ministry of Health Guidelines

How to safely use Manuka Baby beds

  • Manuka Baby Beds are safe sleep spaces for newborn babies. We encourage you to discuss safe sleeping with your LMC (Lead Maternity Carer)/ Midwife, contact your local SUDI prevention service or attend your local safe sleep education programme.

    Foundations for Safe Sleep

    (credit: Hāpai Te Hauora - hapai.co.nz)

    Here is how to keep pēpi safe, every sleep:

    FACE UP, FACE CLEAR: Sleep pēpi on their back for every sleep, with nothing near their face like pillows, toys, loose blankets or cords.

    FLAT AND FIRM: Pēpi is safest in their own flat, firm bed with firm sides, like a wahakura, baby-pod, cot or bassinet.

    FREE: Pēpi is safest and well when they are in an environment that supports breastfeeding and is smoke, vape, alcohol, drug and harm-free.

    FATHERS AND FAMILY: Everyone in the whānau helps keep pēpi safe while they sleep and supports them to stay well.

    • Baby is all that is needed in this safe sleep space, sharing this space with pillows, bumpers, toys and other items is not recommended.
    • Keep the Manuka Baby Bed on a SAFE, FIRM, FLAT surface with no risk of tipping or sliding (eg. not near the edge of a bed or couch)
    • Please keep the area where baby sleeps smoke, drug and alcohol free. It is so important to have clean air and a safe environment around baby. We support the national initiative of smoke-free homes and cars.
    • Manuka Baby Bed is not designed as a baby carrier. Carrying baby in this sleep device is not recommended
    • Do Not place your Manuka Baby Bed near heaters or fireplaces
    • We recommend using Manuka Baby mattresses with your Manuka Baby Bed as they are custom made to fit the bed
    • These beds are designed for babies 0-6 months of age, or until baby can roll. Baby should then be removed from the bed and placed in a cot or other age- appropriate sleeping area.

    Device Care Clean the Manuka Baby bed by wiping it down with normal dishwashing liquid and allow to fully dry before placing mattresses etc. back in the bed.

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Designed with safety in mind

We have worked closely with several New Zealand DHBs to ensure Manuka Baby products meet SUDI Prevention recommendations. We take safety incredibly seriously and welcome feedback from parents/caregivers and health organisations. 

Manuka Baby mattresses have been designed in line with the National SUDI Prevention Programme National Safe Sleep Device Quality Specification Guidelines. 

Mattresses fit flush to the edges of Manuka Baby Bamboo Beds. 

Mattresses are made of firm, flat comfort foam at a thickness of 25mm (the Ministry of Health recommendation is a maximum of 40mm thickness).

All of our mattresses are individually tested in New Zealand to ensure they comply with the AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 safety standard.

Mattresses are supplied to us at Manuka Baby with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate, which states that all materials used in the mattress construction have been proven safe for humans. 

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