The Stokke Sleepi: A Complete Guide to Growing With It

From the first night home to their fifth birthday – everything you need to know about the sleep system that genuinely grows with your child 

If you've spent any time researching nursery furniture, chances are the Stokke Sleepi has come up. And if you've popped into either of our spaces and chatted with one of our team, there's a good chance we've already walked you through it in person. As the UK's leading authority on Stokke, it's a product we know inside out, and one we genuinely love. 

The Sleepi isn't just another cot. It's a complete sleep system built around a single oval frame that adapts as your child grows, from the very first night home through to their fifth birthday. This guide is our attempt to put everything we'd tell you in the showroom down in writing: how the system works, what each stage looks like in real life, and how to put it together when the time comes. 
 
The Sleepi comes in two stages: the Mini and the Bed. You can start at either one, as the Bed is suitable from newborn, so the starting point depends on what works best for you. If you start with the Mini, then you need the Extension Kit at around 6 months to expand the Mini into the bed. If you start with the Bed and ever want to make it into a Mini in the future, you will need the downsizing kit. Both paths work, and we are happy to walk you through so you can make the best decision for you and your little one.  

First, a quick note on the V3:

The Sleepi has been through a few iterations over the years. The current version is the V3, which launched in September 2022. It is a two-stage system: the Mini and the Bed. If you've come across older content online talking about three stages or a Junior extension, that was the previous V2, which is now discontinued. The V3 simplified things, which makes it easier to explain and, easier to use. 

Both stages share the same iconic oval beech wood frame. You're investing in one design that carries your child from newborn through to age 5, with the same familiar shape at every stage. 

Stage One: The Sleepi Mini 

The Mini is where most families start, and it's the perfect start for your new baby. The smaller oval dimensions create a cosy, enclosed space that mimics the soothing feeling of being in the womb, making it an easier transition for newborns to settle in.  
 
The mattress sits on an adjustable L-shaped bracket, giving you two height options at this stage, depending on where you need it. On the highest setting the top of the mattress sits about 30cm below the top edge of the frame. Flip the L-shaped bracket over and its sits at about 34cm below the top edge of the frame.  

The Mini is 64cm wide and has lockable castor wheels, which means it can fit through any standard doorway with ease. Baby isn’t limited to one room – the bed can move around the home, ensuring a safe, consistent sleeping environment. 

The wheels do double duty too. When your baby prefers movement to settle, just rock the frame gently side to side.  

How long will your baby be in the Mini? 

Stokke designed the Mini for approximately the first 6 months. In practice that varies depending on your baby's size and how quickly they become mobile, but 6 months is a solid working figure to plan around. Once they're starting to sit up, or seem to have outgrown the space, it’s time to move to the Bed.  

How to build the Sleepi Mini 

We have an assembly video on our website, and we'd recommend giving it a watch before you start so you can see the full steps. It's a straightforward build, but there are a couple of moments where seeing it done is much clearer than a diagram. 

Watch our Stokke Sleepi Mini assembly guide 

A few things worth knowing before you begin.  

Contact us 

Shop the Sleepi Mini 

Stage Two: The Sleepi Bed 

Whether you've arrived here via the Mini or started here from day one, this is the configuration you'll spend the most time with. Stokke designed it to take children from newborn all the way to 5 years old, which is a proper stretch of childhood and a big part of what makes the Sleepi worth the investment. 

What makes it work so well across that whole stretch is how it adapts as your child changes. The mattress base has 4 height positions, using the same L-shaped brackets as the Mini, giving you a little extra wiggle room at both levels. You start higher when they're small and lower it as they become a climber and start trying to sit up or stand. Once they're old enough to get in and out on their own, roughly 18 months old, remove one of the side rails entirely and it becomes an open toddler bed. A word of advice: remove the wheels at the same time. Leave them on and you no longer have a bed; you have a very exciting toy they can push around their room at 6am. But once that’s done, there’s no new sleep environment they must adjust to, and no babyproofing of corners needed. Just the same familiar oval bed, now suitable for your toddler.  

How to build the Sleepi Bed 

Whether you’re building the Bed from scratch or converting your Mini with the Extension Kit, we have a video guide for you.  

Watch how to build a Sleepi Bed 

A few things worth knowing before you begin.  

Contact us 

Shop the Sleepi Bed or Extension Kit 

Mattresses and textiles 

Because of the oval shape, you need a Sleepi-specific mattress. A standard cot mattress won't fit. Stokke make mattresses specifically for both the Mini and the Bed, shaped to fit exactly. The V3 mattress is firm, which is exactly what a baby's mattress should be for proper support, and features breathable 3D mesh layers for airflow and safe sleep. The cover is machine washable and the core can be rinsed. Super useful with small babies! 

We'd also recommend picking up two Sleepi Protection Sheets while you're at it. Accidents happen, often at inconvenient times, and having a second one means you're not scrambling for a solution at 2am while one is in the wash. They come in both sizes, so you are never left unprotected. 

Alongside the mattress, Stokke make a full range of fitted sheets in great patterns, canopies, and breathable mesh liners for both the Mini and the Bed, all made to fit the oval.  

Browse the Sleepi Mattresses and Accessories  

Come and see it 

Sometimes seeing things in person provides that little extra peace of mind. The oval is more striking in person, the quality of the beech wood is obvious up close, and seeing the Mini and the Bed next to each other makes the whole system click in a way that words don't quite manage. 

Both of our London locations have the Sleepi on display and assembled:

• Stokke Store at Westfield London — the only dedicated Stokke store in the UK, run by our team. Every Stokke product, all in one place
• Parent Studio Showroom @366, Kensington — our by-appointment showroom, where you can explore the Sleepi alongside the rest of our carefully chosen brands, in a calm and unhurried environment

Come in with a list of questions. Come in with no idea where to start. Either way, we'll take the time to walk you through it properly. That’s what we are here for.

Come visit us

Questions we get asked a lot

How long can my baby be in the Sleepi Mini? Around 6 months is the guideline, though your baby will give you the clearest signal. Once they’ve outgrown the space or starting to sit-up, it's time to move to the Bed.

Do I need to buy both the Mini and the Bed at the same time? Not necessarily. You can start with just the Mini and add the Bed Extension Kit when the time comes or go straight to the full-size Bed from day one. Some families prefer having everything from day one; others prefer to buy in stages. We're happy to talk through what makes most sense for your situation when you come in or get in touch.

Is the Sleepi easy to move between rooms? Yes, the Sleepi comes with lockable swivel castors, and the Mini is narrow enough to fit through any standard doorway so you can move it from bedroom to living room and everywhere between.

What about a second baby? With a 7-year extended warranty, the Sleepi is built to last. If you started with the Mini, pack away the pieces you don’t need safely when extending and you can use them again. If you started with the full-size Bed and want to downsize to the Mini at any point, the Downsizing Kit has you covered.

Where are your assembly videos? All the guides are on our website in the video library.

 
The Sleepi is a long-term investment in your child’s sleep, and we think it’s one of the best ones you can make. If you have any questions, or want to make a purchase, we’re here to help you.