The Importance of a Carrycot for Your Newborn

29 July 2026|5 |Travel Strollers|Carrycot|Tips and Tricks

Quick Answer

A carrycot gives newborns a firm, flat and supportive place to sleep during their first six months, both at home and while out and about. Every current iCandy carrycot is suitable for permanent overnight sleeping and designed with breathable fabrics, ventilation and a fitted mattress. The Peach 8 carrycot also benefits from iCandy’s partnership with The Lullaby Trust, offering parents added safer-sleep reassurance from birth.

Preparing for a new arrival comes with a long shopping list, but when it comes to your baby's safety and comfort, choosing the right sleeping environment is one of the most important decisions you'll make. From bedside cribs to Moses baskets and travel systems, there are plenty of options available - but what should you look for in a carrycot?

The good news is that every current iCandy carrycot is suitable for permanent overnight sleeping, providing a safe, comfortable and breathable space for your newborn both at home and on the go. Designed with your baby's wellbeing in mind, iCandy carrycots meet rigorous safety standards while offering parents the convenience of a portable sleep solution.

For parents choosing the iCandy Peach 8, there's added reassurance. In partnership with The Lullaby Trust, the UK's leading safer sleep charity, the Peach 8 carrycot reflects iCandy's ongoing commitment to helping families provide the safest possible sleeping environment for their newborn.

We are proud to advise that all current iCandy carrycots adhere to the following important criteria, in addition to the relevant standards (EN1466):

Are rigid bodied
Have a removable apron for indoor use and improved ventilation
Have a canopy that can be lowered

Developed with Safer Sleep in Mind

At iCandy, creating products that support families from day one has always been a priority. That's why every current iCandy carrycot is suitable for permanent overnight sleeping, giving parents confidence that their newborn has a safe, flat and supportive place to sleep.

The iCandy Peach 8 takes this commitment even further. In partnership with The Lullaby Trust, the Peach range is the first pushchair to benefit from a collaboration with the UK's leading safer sleep charity. By combining iCandy's award-winning design with expert safer sleep guidance, the Peach 8 offers parents added reassurance from their baby's very first journey.

Why Is a Carrycot So Important?

A carrycot plays an essential role during the first six months of your baby's life. Lightweight, portable and easy to attach to your pushchair chassis, an iCandy carrycot can double as a convenient Moses basket or travel cot solution, making it ideal for both home and days out.

As part of your travel system, the carrycot is often the very first configuration you'll use with your newborn, providing a safe and familiar place for them to rest wherever your day takes you.

If a pushchair doesn't feature a fully lie-flat seat suitable from birth, a carrycot is essential. It allows your baby to lie completely flat on their back, supporting healthy spinal development while ensuring they remain in the safest sleeping position during those important early months.

The iCandy MiStand Carrycot Stand

For even greater flexibility and options, the iCandy MiStand transforms your carrycot into a convenient overnight sleeping solution at home or away. Lightweight, compact and easy to fold, the MiStand raises your baby's carrycot to a comfortable height, making it ideal for overnight stays, visiting family or keeping your little one close by during daytime naps.

Designed to complement the iCandy range, the MiStand also features a generous storage basket underneath, giving parents a practical place to keep baby essentials within easy reach. When paired with an overnight sleeping-approved iCandy carrycot, it provides a versatile sleep solution that supports your family's lifestyle without compromising on comfort or safety.

Setting Up Your Carrycot as a Safe Sleep Space

Whether you're using your iCandy carrycot for daytime naps, overnight sleeping or while travelling, taking a few simple steps will help create a safe sleep environment for your newborn.

Always place the carrycot on a stable, level surface or on the iCandy MiStand carrycot stand, ensuring it is securely positioned before placing your baby inside.
Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature and avoid using loose blankets, pillows, duvets or additional padding inside the carrycot.
Always place your baby on their back with their feet positioned at the foot of the carrycot and keep the sleep space clear of toys and other accessories.
Before every sleep, check that the mattress is flat, fits snugly within the carrycot and that the fabrics are clean and dry.
Following safer sleep guidance every time your baby sleeps helps reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
For the latest expert advice, visit The Lullaby Trust's Safer Sleep guidance.

The Lullaby Trust advises:

"Always put your baby on their back for every sleep, day and night, as the chance of SIDS is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side."

Safe Sleep Guidance

Sleeping on a firm, flat surface gives babies the space they need to breathe comfortably and supports safer sleep practices.

The Sleep Foundation also recommends that newborns get between 14–17 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period, making it even more important to provide a safe and comfortable sleep environment.

A Firm, Supportive Mattress

The Lullaby Trust recommends using a firm, flat mattress protected by a waterproof cover to help keep it clean and dry. It also advises ensuring that the mattress fits the carrycot correctly and remains in good condition.

Every current iCandy carrycot includes a padded mattress with a removable, washable cover that has been specifically designed to fit perfectly within the carrycot. Together, they create a supportive and hygienic sleeping environment for your baby.

If you're using a second-hand iCandy pushchair, it's recommended that you replace the mattress before using the carrycot with your newborn.

Keeping Baby Comfortable

Creating the right sleeping environment isn't just about the mattress - temperature matters too.

The Lullaby Trust recommends maintaining a room temperature between 16–20°C, using light bedding or a well-fitting baby sleep bag.

Every current iCandy carrycot is designed with breathable fabrics and airflow around the base panel to help promote airflow and keep your baby comfortable while they sleep. A room thermometer can also help ensure your baby's sleeping environment stays at a safe temperature. iCandy carrycots such as the Peach 8 and Core 2 also include ventilation panels providing additional airflow.

Why a Carrycot Is Better Than a Car Seat for Sleeping

While it's perfectly normal for babies to fall asleep during a car journey, car seats should only be used for transport. The Lullaby Trust advises that babies should be moved from their car seat onto a firm, flat sleeping surface as soon as practical after arriving at their destination. An overnight sleeping-approved carrycot provides exactly that - a safe, supportive environment where your newborn can continue sleeping comfortably once your journey has ended.

Practical Meets Beautiful Design

Welcoming a new baby doesn't mean compromising on style. Across the iCandy range, you'll find beautifully designed pushchairs in a selection of contemporary colourways to complement both your lifestyle and your home.

Better still, iCandy pushchair bundles include a carrycot as standard, meaning parents don't need to purchase a separate overnight sleeping solution for use with their pushchair.

All iCandy carrycots are suitable from birth until your baby can sit up unaided or reaches the maximum recommended weight of 9kg, whichever comes first.

A Safe Start for Every Journey

Whether you're heading out for a walk, visiting family or settling your little one down for the night away from home, an iCandy carrycot provides a safe, supportive and comfortable sleeping environment from birth.

With every current iCandy carrycot suitable for permanent overnight sleeping and the Peach 8 in partnership with The Lullaby Trust parents can enjoy every journey with added confidence and peace of mind.

To explore the latest iCandy pushchair range and find the perfect travel system for your growing family, browse the collection today.