Cocoonababy

Where Has the Cocoonababy Gone? What Australian Parents Need to Know

If you've landed on this page searching for the Cocoonababy Nest, you're not alone. It was one of our best-selling products for years, and we still receive calls and messages from parents asking where it's gone and why they can't find it anywhere in Australia anymore

We want to give you a clear, honest, and compassionate answer because we know how overwhelming the newborn sleep product market can be, and how much parents just want to find something that works

What Was the Cocoonababy?

The Cocoonababy Nest was a cocoon-shaped baby positioner made by French brand Red Castle. Designed to mimic the curled foetal position, it was widely loved by parents of newborns for its ability to help unsettled babies feel snug, secure, and settled. For many families, it felt like a genuine lifesaver in those early, exhausting weeks

We sold it. We recommended it. Many of our own team members used it. And we completely understand why so many of you are still looking for it

Why Is the Cocoonababy No Longer Available in Australia?

Over recent years, global infant sleep safety research has evolved significantly, and the evidence around inclined sleep products — any product that positions a baby at an angle rather than flat on their back on a firm, flat surface has raised concerns

While the Cocoonababy has not been directly linked to any sleep-related incidents, it falls into a broader category of inclined and enclosed sleep products that no longer meet current Australian safe sleep guidelines

In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) moved to ban inclined infant sleep products following investigations that linked them to infant deaths caused by positional asphyxiation where a baby's airway becomes compromised when their head falls forward or they roll into an unsafe position in a soft, inclined, or enclosed product

In Australia, the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has moved to align with international safety standards, and products that do not meet the requirements for a safe sleep surface — firm, flat and free of soft bedding or positioning devices are no longer able to be sold as sleep products

As a result, we made the decision along with other Australian retailers to stop selling the Cocoonababy Nest

What Do the Australian Safe Sleep Guidelines Say?

The gold standard for safe infant sleep guidance in Australia comes from Red Nose Australia the leading authority on safe sleep and the prevention of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including SIDS

Red Nose Australia recommends the following for every sleep, every time:

  • Sleep baby on their back from birth, not on their tummy or side
  • Sleep baby with face uncovered — no doonas, pillows, bumpers, or loose bedding
  • Keep baby in a smoke-free environment before and after birth
  • Provide a safe sleeping environment night and day — a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress in a safe cot, bassinet, or play yard that meets Australian safety standards
  • Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as a caregiver for the first six to twelve months
  • Breastfeed baby if you can

Importantly, Red Nose advises against the use of infant positioners, wedges, nests, and inclined sleep products as these do not constitute a safe sleep surface and may increase the risk of infant death.

You can read the full Red Nose safe sleep guidelines at rednose.org.au

Additional guidance is available from:

We Know This Is Disappointing

We hear you. For parents of unsettled newborns, the Cocoonababy felt like magic and losing access to it is genuinely frustrating, especially when you're exhausted and desperate for something that helps your baby sleep

We want to acknowledge that the newborn period is incredibly hard. Sleep deprivation is real, reflux is real, and the desperation to find something anything that helps your baby settle is completely understandable.

What Can You Use Instead?

While there is no direct like-for-like replacement for the Cocoonababy that meets current safe sleep guidelines, here are some safe, evidence-supported alternatives that many parents find helpful for settling unsettled newborns:

Safe Swaddling

Swaddling — when done correctly with a hip-healthy technique can help newborns feel secure and settled without the risks associated with positioners or nests. Look for swaddles specifically designed for safe sleep, such as those with a secure fastening system that keeps arms contained while allowing legs to move freely

Babywearing

Many parents find that babywearing during awake hours — using an ergonomic carrier like the Ergobaby significantly reduces unsettledness and the need for a settling product at sleep time. Babywearing during the day supports the fourth trimester and keeps baby close, calm, and content making it easier to transition to safe flat sleep at night

White Noise

A white noise machine or app can replicate the constant sound environment of the womb and help newborns settle to sleep on a safe, flat surface. Many parents find this to be one of the most effective tools for newborn sleep

Safe Bassinets and Cots

Ensure your baby's sleep surface meets current Australian standards — a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress in a cot or bassinet that meets AS/NZS 2172 (cots) or AS/NZS 2195 (folding cots) Australian Standards. Avoid any product that positions baby at an angle or surrounds them with soft material.

Settling Techniques

The Purple Crying period — the peak of normal infant crying that occurs in the early weeks is a genuine and well-documented phenomenon. Resources from Red Nose Australia and the Raising Children Network offer evidence-based settling techniques that are safe and effective for newborns

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy the Cocoonababy in Australia?
The Cocoonababy Nest is no longer available through Australian retailers as it does not meet current safe sleep guidelines

Is the Cocoonababy dangerous?
The concern is not that the Cocoonababy is inherently dangerous, but that inclined and enclosed sleep products carry a risk of positional asphyxiation that is not present with a firm, flat sleep surface

My baby only sleeps in the Cocoonababy — what do I do?
We understand how difficult this is. Speak with your maternal child health nurse, GP, or a paediatric sleep consultant for personalised guidance on transitioning your baby to a safe flat sleep surface. The Raising Children Network also has helpful resources on settling and sleep

What is the safest sleep product for a newborn?
A firm, flat mattress in a cot or bassinet that meets Australian safety standards, with no loose bedding, pillows, bumpers, or positioners. Follow the Red Nose safe sleep guidelines at rednose.org.au for comprehensive advice

We know this isn't the answer many of you were hoping for. But your baby's safety is always our priority and we hope this explanation helps you understand why we made this decision and what safe alternatives are available to you

If you have any questions, our team is always here to help