Sophia settling for sleep

"I could settle baby to sleep and take the Pēpi-Pod® from room to room with me which gave me peace of mind. 

I could have the baby in my room even though our room is small and we could not fit the cot in it. 

Also it meant that due to the frequent waking of baby I could attend to his needs quickly, even in the middle of the night, as he was always close to me."

Pēpi-Pod® page for parents and community

A Pēpi-Pod  baby bed is considered a health tool and most are made available to more vulnerable babies through the health service. They are not available from shops. However, the benefits of convenience and peace of mind are also valid, so, where a baby does not meet health criteria, it is possible to buy a Pēpi-Pod bed directly on Trade Me, either used or new.



• Trade Me (Baby Gear Listings)
• Safety Briefing (important support for users of the Pēpi-Pod® sleep space)

What is a Pēpi-Pod® sleep space? 

A Pēpi-Pod® sleep space is a protected place for babies to sleep when they are in, or on, an adult bed, on a couch, in a makeshift setting, or away from home. These situations have a higher risk of accidental suffocation for babies. Pēpi means 'baby' in Maori and a pod is a symbol of protection in nature. 

The Pēpi-Pod® is the safe space, but parents must also provide the safe care. This means:

• on the back 
• able to breathe easily - and stay breathing because airways are kept clear of any hazards

How do I get a Pēpi-Pod® sleep space?

There are four ways you may be able to get a Pēpi-Pod® sleep space: 

• through a local health or community agency (ask your midwife, nurse or doctor))
• with a hardship grant from Work and Income (ask your midwife, or social worker)
• buy one through Trade Me (Baby Gear Listings) either new or used,
• receive one from friends or family

If you buy one on Trade Me it will be shipped to the delivery address you give.

If you live in a region that is providing the Pēpi-Pod® programme and think your baby is eligible, you can ask your whānau worker, midwife or another health professional for a referral. 

What are the criteria for getting a Pēpi-Pod® sleep space?

To get one with the support of Work and Income, you will need to meet criteria for a hardship grant and also have a referral from a health professional. 

The health funded Pēpi-Pod® programme is for more vulnerable babies, being babies with weakened breathing responses due to: 

• exposure to smoking, especially in pregnancy, 
• being born premature (before 37 weeks)
• being low birth weight (weighing less than 2500 grams at birth)

How do I use my Pēpi-Pod® sleep space?

Every part of the Pēpi-Pod® package has been designed to consider safety. These links show how to set up the sleep space. If you would like to share what you learned at the safety briefing, or remind yourself, you can

• see this video clip 'Sleep Safe, Little One' showing how to prepare a baby for sleeping in a Pēpi-Pod® sleep space (updated November 2016)
• view a picture demo that explains the safety features and how to make up the Pēpi-Pod®
• read this information card that comes with the Pēpi-Pod® sleep space
• provide feedback on your experience using a Pēpi-Pod® (we would love to hear from you)

What do other parents think of the Pēpi-Pod® sleep space?

Here are comments from other parents who have used these sleep spaces for their babies, or you can see the full reports (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014). These are some examples:

• "My family thought it was a wonderful invention' 
• "It made me sleep better at night knowing he was safe and nothing could suffocate him." 
• "It was one of the most helpful things we received."
• "This is a really good alternative to a cot when baby is small." 
• "Better than a baby seat as baby can sleep on a flat surface." 

What makes a baby more resilient?

More vulnerable babies have less fight if they meet a breathing challenge during sleep. To reduce their increased risks they need

• safe care to make them as strong as possible on the inside. This means: breastfed, smokefree, immunised, handled gently.
• safe conditions every time and place they sleep. These are: on the back, face clear, own space, carer near.   

To learn more about protecting babies

• Take the 15 minute Baby Essentials online course and get a certificate. This is the course that professionals also take.
• Read or download the Safe Sleep Essentials information leaflet or cot card.
• Visit the Safe Sleep Star page for support with purchasing decisions
• Pep-Snug™ Card