When it comes to choosing a cot or cot bed mattress for your baby, you want to make the right choice. The wrong choice can lead to insufficient support and comfort, poor quality sleep, and even worse; potential health risks for your little one. There’s a lot of information out there already, and I didn’t want to regurgitate the same old top 10 lists of the best baby cot mattresses.
Instead, I wanted to dig a little deeper and explore why these mattresses are being chosen in the first place, whether an expensive baby mattress is really worth the money, and ultimately, what the real cost of safety and comfort actually is.
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The Recommended Cot and Cot Bed Mattresses For 2023
We researched a number of online forums, reviews, and other sources to find the best baby mattresses that meet safety standards and keep your baby comfortable.
The Little Green Sheep Natural Twist Cot and Cot Bed Mattress
This is an award-winning mattress that is handmade from 100% natural materials. All Little Green Sheep mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic, free from chemicals, insulating, and breathable, providing the best temperature regulation for your baby. The ‘Twist’ is a dual-sided mattress that features a firmer side for babies and a softer side for toddlers and older children.
Key Features
- Free from toxins and chemicals
- Naturally hypo-allergenic
- Duel Sided
- Naturally insulating & breathable
- Luxury quilted Herringbone cotton cover
We noticed on one popular online forum that one user had complained of mould on the mattress. After selling her mattress and dismantling the cot she noticed black mould underneath the mattress. Anecdotal evidence like this is best taken with a pinch of salt, any mattress can develop mould in the wrong environment. We couldn’t find any other reports of mould appearing on the mattress.
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly mattress that meets all the safety standards, then this could be the best cot bed mattress for you. As it’s a dual-sided cot bed mattress, you should get a few years of good use out of it before your child needs a new mattress. They also do cot sizes (60×120) and custom sizes.
Also, be aware that the waterproof mattress protector is not included and will be needed. Overall, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive too, which reassures us that this is an excellent choice for you and your baby.
Naturalmat Coco Mat Cot Mattress
This is another company that comes up in a lot of lists of the best mattresses, and they have a range of natural fibre cot bed mattresses. The Coco Mat mattress is made up of organic coir, organic coconut husk fibres, and organic wool.
These 100% natural mattresses are handmade in Devon, England, and comply with British safety standards. The covers are finished with an all-natural geraniol treatment that makes them resistant to dust mites. ideal for children who suffer from allergies.
The mattresses come with a 5-year guarantee. It was also interesting to note that the website states, “We’re proud to be an official supporting partner of The Lullaby Trust, the UK’s leading safer sleep charity.” I have left a link below so that you can see exactly what that partnership entails.
Key Features
- 100% natural materials
- Completely chemical free & hypoallergenic
- Handmade in Devon, England
- 5-year guarantee
- Geraniol treatment for dust mite resistance
The only downside we could find was that the washable quilted cover shrank when washed at the recommended temperature.
Their range of mattresses includes the Spring, Mohair, and the Latex Mat with Natural Latex Inner Core. They also provide a made-to-measure service and mattresses suitable for older children.
Silentnight Safe Nights Essentials Cot Mattress
The Silentnight range of mattresses also featured heavily on the best cotbed mattress lists. Their Safe Nights Essentials Cot Mattress is in the budget to mid-range bracket.
It’s an affordable option for parents looking for a firm mattress that’s supportive and tested to the highest of the UK’s safety standards and comes with a 3-year guarantee. It has a hypoallergenic, foam-free, and chemical-free Eco Comfort Fibre Core to offer extra comfort and support to your child.
Key Features
- Washable mattress cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Eco Comfort Fibre Core
- Foam Free
- Chemical Free
Overall, the reviews were positive and recommended this as a great budget option for parents who want to ensure their child is sleeping safely at night.
They also have airflow, luxury pocket-sprung, and superior pocket-sprung mattresses that are worth considering if your budget allows it. You will also need a waterproof mattress protector to help keep the mattress clean, dry, and safe.
Mamas & Papas Premium Pocket Spring Cot Mattress
The Mamas and Papas Premium Pocket Spring Mattress is another dual-sided cot mattress, designed to support and comfort your child as they grow. It features a deep, multi-layer design made up of 220 individually pocketed springs.
One side is firmer for babies, while the other side is softer for toddlers. This pocket-sprung mattress is treated with Purotex, which helps provide a dust and mite-free environment, perfect for little ones with allergies.
Key Features
- 220 individually pocketed springs
- Purotex treatment
- Dual-sided mattress
- Hypoallergenic
- Temperature regulating design
John Lewis ANYDAY Basic Fibre Cot Mattress
Let’s take a look at some budget options. The John Lewis Anyday Basic Fibre Mattress is a budget option that takes the best elements of quality, safety, and comfort to create a great mattress for your little one at a fantastic price.
This fibre-filled mattress has a PVC-free, micropore, wipe clean cover that aides air circulation and breathability and helps keep your baby cool. The mattress has also been tested in accordance with British Safety Standards, giving you peace of mind.
Key Features
- Fibre-filled mattress with a PVC free micropore wipe clean cover
- Aides air circulation and breathability.
- 1-year guarantee
Lightweight, good fit, affordable, supportive, and comfortable are some of the best adjectives that owners have used to describe this mattress. It is also easy to keep clean.
Mother Nurture Classic Eco Fibre Cot Bed Mattress
This is another budget option that has appeared on many best-of lists. The Mother Nurture Classic Eco Fibre Cot Bed Mattress features a soft, hypoallergenic Cosyquilt cover, while the chemical-free eco fibre core provides support for your baby.
This mattress is an excellent choice for new parents due to its temperature regulation, easy-to-clean washable removable cover, and testing to the highest British safety standards. It’s easy to see why this is one of Amazon’s best-selling baby mattresses.
Key Features
- UK Made
- Hypo-allergenic Cosyquilt cover
- Temperature regulating
- Chemical free eco fibre core
- Tested to the highest British safety standards
Trying to find a correlation among those negative reviews is always difficult, but we can’t see anything unusual that stands out. A couple of people have mentioned that it’s hard, but that’s not unusual when it comes to cot mattresses, as they are supposed to be firm, and nearly every baby cot mattress I’ve come across will always get a few comments about being too hard.
Conclusion – So, should you spend a lot on a mattress?
Babies spend more time in their beds than any other place during those crucial first few years of life, so as a parent, it’s important to ensure that your child has the best mattress possible that you can afford. You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money, as there are some very good budget options available to you. Simply ensure that the mattress you choose is firm, flat, and waterproof, and that it is protected by a waterproof cover.
Both the budget options on this list and the premium options have a very good number of five-star reviews, which suggests that there is no need to spend a fortune. That being said, one of the best ways to decide between premium and budget is to consider the length of time you will be using each. The premium options come with long-term guarantees and are likely to last you much longer. With many of the expensive ones, you can simply flip the mattress over, and your toddler mattress will be good for a few more years.
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FAQs Buyers and Safety Guide
What are the different types of mattresses?
On the market, there are numerous cot and cot bed mattresses.The main ones are spring mattresses, natural fibre (coir), and foam mattresses. A memory foam mattress should be avoided. Spring mattresses come in two different types: pocket sprung and open coil.
Each type of mattress offers its own benefits, from breathability to comfort levels, so it is best to choose the best one based on your needs and budget. You can also get some types that are a mix of both. For example, Mamas and Papas have a dual-core pocket spring cot mattress that also contains a level of natural coir.
| Type | Benefits | Negatives |
|---|---|---|
| Sprung mattress | Support, comfort, and breathability. The open coils are good for dispersing heat, making them ideal for your child as they get older. | Heavier and more expensive. |
| Pocket Sprung mattress | Each spring works individually to create a superior support for your child. longer lasting and ideal for older children | Heavier and more expensive |
| Natural fibres (Coir, wool, natural latex, mohair, horsetail fibres, and more) | Breathable, temperature-controlling, and usually naturally hypoallergenic | Most expensive |
| Foam mattress | High-density foam is firm, lightweight, and cheap | Can lose its shape after a while. |
The best cot or cot bed mattress is one that ensures your baby’s safety.
Keeping your newborn baby safe is the main priority. The NHS and the Lullaby Trust advise that the cot or baby cot bed mattress should be a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition.
The mattress should fit snugly against the sides of the cot or cot bed, with no gaps around the edges, so your baby’s head does not get trapped and suffocate.
The mattress should also comply with British safety standards. I have left links to the Lullaby Trust and the NHS website below. They provide a comprehensive guide to keeping your baby safe.
What are the current British safety standards for cot mattresses?
It has been established that the new European Standard, BS EN 16890: 2017, is the latest and most valid standard for cots and crib mattresses and supersedes BS 1877-10. It is also critical for parents to ensure that their cot mattress meets British Safety Standards before using it, and to replace it if necessary.
Can I use a second-hand mattress?
It is best to avoid second-hand mattresses if you don’t know how they were previously kept. The Lullaby Trust states that there have been studies that suggest an increased risk of SIDS (cot death) from mattresses acquired from outside the home, but this correlation has yet to be proven. If you do decide to use a second-hand mattress, you will need to make sure it’s still a firm and flat mattress and that it was previously protected by a waterproof cover.
What is the best thickness for a cot mattress?
A mattress should be no thinner than 8cm. A mattress that is around 10 cm thick is ideal, as this should provide enough support and comfort for your child.
References
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/mattresses-and-bedding/
https://www.esb.sa.gov.au/resources/infant-sleep-safety-testing-correct-mattress-firmness
https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/sleep/cot-safety-bedding-and-bumpers-your-questions-answered
https://www.fira.co.uk/news/article/confirmation-of-standard-for-cot-mattresses
