What are the best cot mattresses?
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.
How I tested cot mattresses
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.
What makes a good cot mattress?
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.
Can you use a second-hand cot mattress?
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.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Rebecca Moore is a writer who specialises in the parenting sector. She has been contributing to The Independent since 2020 and has regularly reviewed some of the best parenting products on the market. From breast pumps to baby monitors, Rebecca knows what makes a great kids’ product.
To help get a good night’s sleep, upgrade your own bed with the best mattresses
