experts guide how to choose your babys mattress

Your baby's mattress is a crucial part of your nursery purchase as babies spend as much as 50% of the time on their mattress up until the age of two. When it comes to choosing a cot mattress, consider going for an organic mattress. Organic Mattresses are free from toxins or chemicals and designed specially fto regulate baby's temperature. Your Moses Basket or Crib Mattress must be firm and fit for use, and can also be made from organic materials.In this video we review the organic Mattress options to help guide you in choosing well.

 The ideal mattress for a newborn baby should:

• Be Firm
• A Perfect Fit
• Be Waterproof
• Be Washable

In this guide, we will focus on what to look for when choosing your baby's mattress this could be for a Cot, a Moses basket or a Bassinet:

Firmness:

While an extremely firm mattress may seem uncomfortable, a firm foundation is essential to your baby's safety. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, soft sleeping surfaces create a suffocation hazard for infants and increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Whichever baby bed you choose, a firm and flat mattress is recommended by experts as the best mattress type for your baby for safer sleep. It is advised to use a new mattress for your baby. Your baby’s mattress should be in good condition and fit the Moses basket or cot properly.

Size:

Check the mattress size required for your baby bed (this is usually found under product details online or in the instruction manual).

There are 2 standard sizes in the UK:

Standard Cot Size: Requires a mattress size of 60cm x 120cm

Standard Cot Bed Size: Requires mattress size of 70cm x 140cm

Some brands may vary so it is beneficial to double-check what size mattress you need. The mattress should fit the cot with no gaps down the side that are more than 4cm.

If you have a usual shape of Moses basket or baby bed, you can use a made to measure service.

Mattress Type:

Many baby beds come with a foam mattress included, but lots of parents choose to research and buy a better quality mattress for their baby to sleep on.

Natural fibre or organic mattresses can provide superior breathability to foam mattresses, helping the baby regulate their body temperature throughout the night. They are normally chemical-free and don’t contain synthetic foams so they are thought to be the healthier option and better suited for babies with allergies or asthma. 

Coconut Mattress 

The Coconut Mattress is designed for newborns and it's recommended for Moses baskets, cribs, cradles and bassinets and many other popular brand sizes.

It is a firm and breathable mattress, making it the perfect choice from newborn. A waterproof cover (or mattress protector) is recommended to keep your baby’s mattress clean and dry as this can be removed and washed. 

Mohair Mattress

The Mohair Mattress is also designed for newborns and it's recommended for cots that do not convert to beds, normally sized 60 x 120 cm, but can be made to any size. 

It is a firm and breathable mattress, making it the perfect choice from newborn, offers slightly better support than the coconut so it can be used up to the age of 3. A waterproof cover (or mattress protector) is recommended to keep your baby’s mattress clean and dry as this can be removed and washed. 

Organic Pocket Spring Mattress

The Organic Pocket Spring Mattress is a dual support mattress, ideal for cots that convert to beds, normally sized 70 x 140 cm. Can be used from newborn to toddler and beyond. One side is firmer than the other so you can simply turn the mattress as baby grows.

Reasons why you should opt for an Organic Mattress:

• They are Chemical free and non-toxic.
• They are naturally fire-retardant: For Safety reasons, Mattresses need to be Fire-retardant, because organic mattresses contain wool they are naturally fire-retarding, as opposed to foam mattress that has to contain a strong chemical to do this.
• They have a removable machine washable cotton cover (60°C) (in cot and cot bed size.)
• Hypoallergenic  

We hope this guide has given you all the information you need to choose the perfect mattress for your baby. We have a range of baby mattresses that are sure to provide your little one with a safe and supportive night's sleep.

 If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to provide answers to any questions you may have.