Safe Sleep

At Gobstopperz, every product is made by hand here in New Zealand. Your baby's wellbeing matters to us, so we want to be upfront about how our comforters fit within current safe sleep guidance.

Gobstopperz are comforters with an integrated dummy holder. They can be used during the day in the pram, the car seat, the baby carrier, and at play time. In line with Red Nose guidance, we advise Gobstopperz are not used in the cot or during sleep until baby is at least 7 months old (corrected for prematurity).

For full safe sleep guidance, we defer to Red Nose Australia, the leading authority on safe sleep across our region. New Zealand parents can also speak with their Plunket nurse for advice tailored to their baby.

The Six Safe Sleep Recommendations

Red Nose sets out six evidence-based recommendations that reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):

  1. Sleep baby on their back from birth, not on their tummy or side.
  2. Keep baby's head and face uncovered.
  3. Keep baby smoke free, before birth and after.
  4. Provide a safe sleeping environment, night and day.
  5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleep space in the same room as an adult caregiver for at least the first six months.
  6. Breastfeed baby where possible.

You can read these in full on the Red Nose website.

What Red Nose says about soft toys and comforters

Red Nose's position on soft toys and comforters is clear:

  • For babies from birth up to 7 months of age (corrected for prematurity), Red Nose strongly recommends that no soft toys or comforters are used in the sleep space. This is the period of greatest SUDI risk.
  • Once baby is older than 7 months and has passed this critical developmental window, Red Nose encourages parents to weigh up the risks and benefits of providing a small comforter to support settling.
  • If a comfort item is used, parents should monitor closely how baby interacts with it.

The full Red Nose article on this topic is available here.

Where Gobstopperz fits

Gobstopperz are designed as soft, friendly comforters with an integrated dummy holder.

  • Each Gobstopper is a soft cotton and minky comforter with snaps that hold a dummy, teether or small toy.
  • They are also designed to attach to a pram, car seat, baby carrier or play mat, and can become a familiar comfort item your baby reaches for through the day.
  • Our products meet AS/NZS ISO toy safety standards.
  • In line with Red Nose guidance, Gobstopperz are not recommended for unsupervised use during sleep before 7 months of age (corrected for prematurity).

Using your Gobstopper safely

If you choose to introduce a Gobstopper as a comfort item, please:

  • Supervise baby closely as they get used to it.
  • Wait until baby is at least 7 months old (corrected for prematurity) before using a Gobstopper in the cot or during sleep, in line with Red Nose guidance.
  • Always follow the Red Nose Safe Sleep Recommendations.
  • Remove the comforter immediately if baby:
    • Covers their face or head with it.
    • Cannot move it away from their face or head.
    • Rests their head on it like a pillow, creating a chin on chest position.
    • Uses it to lift themselves up in the cot in a way that risks a fall.
    • Puts it into their mouth in a way that could block their airway or pose a choking hazard.
  • Wash regularly. Machine wash, gentle cycle, cold water, air dry. No bleach, tumble drying, ironing or dry cleaning.

Helpful resources

An important note

This page is a parent-friendly summary of publicly available safe sleep guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Safe sleep recommendations are reviewed periodically as new research emerges. For the most current information, please consult Red Nose directly or speak with your healthcare provider.

Last reviewed: May 2026.