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These foam, pocket-sprung and natural fibres were tested through naps and overnight sleeping
Whether you’re in the throes of nesting and want everything in the nursery ship shape before baby’s arrival, or you’re approaching the half-year mark and looking to make the big move from parent’s bedroom to your bedside companion sleeping in their own space, you’ll need to consider purchasing a cot mattress.
Typically, cot mattresses come in two sizes: for a standard crib, the measurements are 120cm x 60cm and 140cm x 70cm for a cot bed. As the name suggests, a cot bed is a slightly larger cot with removable sides, which transforms into a toddler bed lasting them until around four years old, so usually offers parents a little more bang for their buck.
With any form of bedding, comfort is key, but when it comes to creating a sleeping environment for babies, safety must be at the forefront. Children’s charity The Lullaby Trust, which spearheads safe sleep for babies, strongly advises that your little one’s mattress is flat and there are no gaps (or at least, no more than a 1cm gap) around the mattress.
While adults may prefer a soft mattress, babies need a firm and flat surface because this helps them move around easily, and ensures they don’t overheat as there’s plenty of airflow. According to The Lullaby Trust, the mattress should be firm enough that when your baby is placed on it, their head doesn’t sink in more than a few millimetres. It’s also recommended that a mattress is waterproof or has a fitted waterproof cover to help prevent bacteria from building up inside the mattress, thus lessening the risk of infection.
Our Coxley cot bed from Mamas & Papas (£599, Mamasandpapas.com) became the home to a variety of mattresses over the course of a month. Our young tester obliged to naps and overnight sleeping (most of the time), while we considered each mattress’s credentials; firmness, fit to the cot, breathability and practicality, such as care, maintenance and price.
All mattresses tested complied with BS 1877-10:2011+A1:2012 (the standard that specifies the materials that can be used for children’s mattresses) and consisted of either foam fibre, which is often the cheaper option, pocket springs designed to be firm, comfortable and supportive or natural fibres, like coconut coir. The mattresses we tested are all available in both cot and cot bed sizes.
If you’re shopping with a budget in mind, a foam cot mattress may be the least expensive kind available. Spring mattresses may prove to offer more long-lasting support while coir may offer a more breathable option.
According to The National Childbirth Trust, cot mattresses should carry the BSI number BS 1877-10:2011+A1:2012 to ensure they conform to safety standards. They should also be flat and firm, to ensure that they’re supportive and safe for the baby, and should not measure any thinner than 8cm. They should be waterproof too, or come with a waterproof cover so that it can be kept clean and dry.
The Lullaby Trust doesn’t recommend this and advises that you use a new mattress for every baby. If you’re not able to do this, make sure that the mattress has always had waterproof protection when it was used in the past. It needs to be in very good condition, and there should be no tears or rips in the material.
All babies are different, fighting naps or waking in the night for no reason. While mattresses aren’t miracle workers, by creating a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your baby, you’re giving them the best chance. For that reason, we’ve crowned the Mother&Baby pure gold anti-allergy coir pocket sprung cot bed mattress the winner. A great all-rounder, it’s dual-sided for optimal comfort and support, offers allergy and waterproof protection, and is breathable without an eye-watering price tag.
If you’re buying on a budget, we were super impressed with Mamas & Papas essentials fibre mattress, costing under £50.
To help get a good night’s sleep, upgrade your own bed with the best mattresses