Cot Mattress
If your child gets a good night's sleep then hopefully, so will you.
A cot or crib is the next step up when you child has grown too large to use a bassinet (Moses basket) safely. As with choosing a mattress for yourself it is worth investing as much as you can reasonably afford, especially when you consider that the cot mattress will be an important part of your child's first years of growth and development.
There is a very helpful guide to choosing the right mattress for your baby at mothercare.com.
Your child will spend 50-70% of their first years sleeping and playing on their cot mattress. Naturally you want to make it the safest and most comfortable place for them to be. This is why we believe it is important that you get the help you need to make the right choice.
It is advisable to use a new cot/crib mattress with every child. A mattress you have used for a previous child, however well looked after, carries the risk of introducing your new baby to bacteria and mould. Also, an older mattress will not provide the same comfort and support that a newer one will give. This is important to bear in mind because as your child gets heavier and becomes more active the cot mattress will need to be able to cope with these changes. If buying a second hand cot you should always play safe and buy a new cot mattress.
It is very important that the mattress fits the cot correctly. An ill-fitting cot mattress could lead to your baby getting an arm or leg trapped, causing harm and risk that could otherwise be easily avoided. When pressed tightly against the side of the cot a mattress should not leave a gap of more than a 4 cm between itself and the cot sides; just as importantly it shouldn't fit so tight as to impede any opening function of the cot. It is advisable to assemble a cot before measuring it for a mattress, remembering that it is the interior length and width measurements you need and that the dimensions of the mattress you buy should be no more than 4 cm smaller than these.
Cot mattress materials
Cot mattresses come in many different materials. To keep your cot mattress free of bacteria the cover needs to be moisture resistant and washable, preferably at 60?C. Fortunately most cot mattresses now come with a wipe clean cover. However, some easy clean covers don't absorb heat or moisture; this will encourage perspiration in your child so it is advisable to look for a mattress cover that is breathable as well as moisture resistant. Other features worth looking out for in a mattress are anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti dust mite properties.
Mattresses made from foam are usually the cheapest type of cot mattress to buy and are usually non-allergenic which is handy if there is a history of allergy in your family. Most foam cot mattresses have holes in them to provide ventilation. When choosing a foam mattress it is recommended that you buy a quality, well-known brand; cheaper foam may wear quicker and not provide adequate support.
Natural fillings such as wool and coir are widely available. Coir is fibre from the outer husk of a coconut and usually latex covered and wrapped in polyester or wool before being used as a mattress filling. Coir has a very good feel to it but may not be as durable as good quality foam. Natural fillings are a good choice for parents that are concerned about chemical sensitivities in their children.
Sprung cot mattresses will provide the best support, featuring traditional spring coils surrounded by padding. They tend to be the most expensive type of cot mattress but are considered the most durable, providing support as your baby grows.
Many modern cot mattresses feature a combination of the above materials; a popular choice is a sprung interior with foam padding, which provides durable support as well as good ventilation for your child.
Choosing a cot mattress
Choose a mattress that is easy to clean. For the health of your child it is important to keep the mattress free of bacteria and mould growth.
Again, the most important thing to remember is that the cot mattress needs to fit the cot properly. Large gaps can pose an unnecessary danger to your child. When pressed tightly against the side of the cot a mattress should not leave a gap of more than a 4 cm between itself and the cot sides.
Ensure that the gap between the cot mattress and the top of the cot is deep enough to prevent your child from climbing out.
A cot mattress should be firm and supportive; anything too soft could pose a risk if your baby rolls over onto their stomach.
Buy the best quality that you can afford. Think of the mattress as an investment in the growth and development of your child. There is a good selection available at good prices over at Kiddicare.
Cot mattress concerns
Foam cot mattresses came under scrutiny a few years ago due to chemicals used in their manufacture; it was thought that they could be a possible contributory factor towards cot death. This has since been cleared up with government research finding no link between the two, but it did shake up the industry and cause a lot of worry amongst parents. A good outcome of this episode was that many chemicals were removed from cot mattress production and many improvements were made in their design.
Other types of cot
A cot bed is designed to make the transition from a cot when your child is young, to a junior bed when they get older. Due to this cot beds are slightly larger than regular cots and are more expensive to buy. However, they are considered a good investment because they have a longer lifespan; taking care of your child's sleeping arrangements from day one until around six years of age.
When choosing a cot bed mattress durability should be a high priority as the mattress will be used and need to provide comfort and support for a lot longer than a normal cot mattress would; although it is common for parents to buy one mattress when their child is very young buy a more suitable mattress as they get older.
A sprung cot bed mattresses is a good choice for a cot bed, as this will provide long term, durable support as your child develops and grows.
A travel cot is a portable cot that can be taken away with you and your family on holidays and visits to friends and relatives. Most travel cots can also double as playpens, although for frequent use it is recommended that parents invest in a regular playpen. Modern travel cots provide a safe and comfortable sleeping environment away from home and come in a variety of different materials and designs.
For families taking flights or long excursions where luggage allowance is an issue a lightweight and durable cot will be most desirable. A foam travel cot mattress is the most practical in this instance as they are light weight and can be carried and stored easily; some travel cot mattresses are designed to fold in half and come with their own protective carry case.
For families traveling short distances or primarily visiting friends and family, weight won't be such an issue and it may be worth investing in a sturdier, more traditional style travel cot; some come with a few additional features as a changing table and bassinet. For travel cots such as this, portability isn't such a necessity for the cot mattress, so depending on the amount of use the travel cot will get it is wise to spend accordingly on the quality and type of mattress used; a hybrid mattress featuring foam and traditional springs would be a good choice.
Choice ultimately boils down to how much use you will get from your travel cot. It isn't worth spending lots of money on something that you will only use occasionally; it will be better to invest in a travel cot that can double as a toy box or playpen when not in use. If you holiday regularly it is wise not to go for a travel cot that is too compact, as you will want something durable that your child will be able to use for longer than twelve months.
A Moses basket, or bassinet, is another option to consider for your child's first bed. Designed for babies, they are small enough to provide a cocoon-like and comforting environment. Due to their small size Moses baskets are intended for use during the first three to four months of the baby's life, after this age babies are able to roll over by themselves and this could lead to them tipping the bassinet over. Some parents choose to use a bassinet alongside a regular cot, with the bassinet being used to sleep the baby during the day because its portability means that the baby can easily be moved into a room the parent is occupying.
Moses baskets usually come with a padded lining already built in. If this is not the case a good quality foam mattress would make a suitable Moses basket mattress as it will only need to provide support and comfort during the first few months of your baby's life. As with other mattresses for babies it is important make sure the mattress fits the bassinet correctly and is easy to clean.