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Choosing a cotBuying a mattress

Tips on choosing a mattress

A white wooden cot

Make sure the mattress you buy is the right size for your cot

  • Mattresses come in two basic sizes, to fit the equivalent sizes of cot generally available in the shops. If the mattress is the wrong size, your baby could be dangerously trapped in gaps between the cot and the mattress. As a rule, the gap between the mattress and the cot should be no more than 4cm (1.5 in).
  • If you buy a cot that is smaller or larger than the norm, you can get mattresses specially made to fit your cot.
  • To keep the mattress as hygienic and clean as possible, choose one with a PVC-covering or a removable top panel that you can wash at a reasonably high temperature.
  • Squeeze a selection of mattresses in the shop and choose one that feels firm rather than soft. To compare firmness, squeeze at the edges and at the centre. Your baby needs a mattress that provides good support and won’t sag.
  • Look for a cot mattress that is 10cm thick. Anything thinner won’t provide the support your baby needs. Thin foam in particular can lose its shape and dent easily.
  • Check it conforms to safety requirements: mattresses should carry the BSI number  BS 1877-10:1997.

Foam mattresses

Foam mattresses tend to be the least expensive. The simplest versions are made from a single layer of supportive foam completely covered with a wipe-clean, waterproof PVC cover.

Pros

  • Generally easy to keep clean.
  • Good value for money.
  • Can provide good support and resistance to denting.

Cons

  • Some parents may not like the idea of the basic PVC-covered mattress because of concerns about clamminess.
  • Mattresses with ventilation holes (designed to help keep your baby cool) can be more effort to keep clean if your baby is a dribbler or is often sick, because residue can gather in the holes and mesh.

Spring-interior mattresses

Two mattresses stacked on top of each other

Foam mattresses are good value for money and easy to clean

These traditional mattresses have a coiled spring interior with layers of felt and foam padding. They often have a cotton cover on one side and PVC or other wipe-clean material on the other.

Pros

  • Many parents like the familiarity of a traditional spring mattress.
  • The wipe-clean side is the recommended surface for your baby to sleep on because of the practical advantages, but you can flip it over onto the cotton side if you prefer – eg if it's hot and your baby feels clammy.

Cons

  • More expensive than foam mattresses.
  • The cotton side may be preferred for comfort but can be more difficult to keep clean (unless you buy a mattress with a removable panel).

Coir mattresses

These have a core of coconut fibre with other layers of different materials. The fibres are coated in latex for strength and protection and the natural fibre filling helps air to circulate through the mattress. These mattresses are available with a wipe-clean covering.

Pros

  • One of the firmest types of mattress.
  • Tend to be longer lasting because they hold their shape well, so could be a sensible purchase if you want to use it for more than one child.

Cons

  • Less widely available than foam or spring interior.
  • Can be more expensive than the alternatives.

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