Cot Mattresses

Sleep is incredibly important, especially for babies, making it crucial to find the right cot mattress. At Dreams we understand that everybody wants the very best for their youngsters, whether they’re 6 months, 6 years, and right into their teenage years. However, when it comes to mattresses for cots, there’s more to consider than you would for an older child.

What is the size of a cot mattress?

Cot mattress sizes are just a little smaller than toddler size. In metric measurements, they are 120cm long and 60cm wide. They're usually 10cm deep which is the optimum depth for babies.

Why choose a cot mattress?

From birth until 3 years, a child’s brain and body go through an unparalleled amount of development. And while plenty of that development is in response to relationships, environment and experience, it’s also impacted greatly by both quality and the amount of sleep. Babies and young children are different to teenagers and adults. Where we produce the growth hormone while awake, babies and young children only do so once in a state of deep sleep. That means without the right sleep approach, your child may not develop as quickly as they should. But don’t worry, this isn’t Project Fear – there’s plenty you can do to ensure your child gets the perfect night’s sleep. A good place to start? Finding the very best cot bed mattress!

How to choose a cot mattress?

There are a number of things you should look for when buying a baby cot mattress for a young one. These days, cot mattresses feature plenty of hi-tech properties, helping your child get the best sleep experience. This means you’ll also get the best sleep too. A happy baby makes for a happy parent! To improve your sleep and your child’s, it’s worth considering the following when choosing a crib mattress:

Water repellent covers

At such a young age, accidents are pretty much guaranteed. That’s why it’s important to have water repellent covers on a baby mattress. This means you can easily wipe them clean, without the need for disturbing your child’s sleep. Long gone are the days of flipping over the mattress and then tackling the issue come morning. Cot mattresses that are water repellent provide you with a quick solution to any night-time accidents, meaning you can get back to bed quickly too!

Hypoallergenic qualities

Is there anything quite as soft as a baby’s skin? Hardly! And while this makes them incredibly cute, it also means their skin is extremely sensitive. Choosing a crib mattress with hypoallergenic properties allows your little one to sleep free of any irritation.

Removable covers

As well as water repellent covers, you’ll want an easily removable cover too. Usually machine washable at 60 degrees, these can make your life much less stressful. What’s more, these cot mattresses can often be used without the cover. This allows you to whip off the cover, throw it in the washing basket, and tackle it at a reasonable time.

Breathable

Because most of their growth happens during sleep, little ones can often work up a bit of a sweat throughout the night. Cot mattresses are made from breathable materials that are great for regulating body temperature.

How comfy should a cot mattress be?

Many adults prefer a super-soft, luxurious mattress that allows them to sink in and feel at ease. For babies and young children, it’s rather different. As a child’s bones are still developing, they need a mattress which will keep them aligned, ensuring they grow properly. That’s why we recommend at minimum a medium level of comfort for their baby mattress. For this reason, cot mattresses are usually only available in medium, medium-firm, or firm comfort levels.

What types of cot mattresses are available?

Because of all the health requirements, cot mattresses don’t come in as wide a variety as those for adults. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have choice. The two most popular cot mattress types? Foam and pocket spring.

PVC-free foam cot mattresses

Generally our cheaper option, a foam cot mattress, is great for those on a budget. If you’re looking for a crib mattress, we’re sure you’re already aware that little ones can be rather expensive – with a million and one things necessary to help them grow as they should! A foam cot bed mattress can help. And just because they’re a little cheaper than other options, doesn’t mean they lack quality, merely that they’ll come with less advanced features such as pocket springs with even distribution.

Pocket spring cot mattresses

Pocket spring cot mattresses are one of the most popular types of cot mattress. Each mattress spring is placed in an independent pocket, helping the mattress respond accurately to your child’s sleeping position and night-time movement.

If you’re not quite sure about the best cot mattress for you, we recommend speaking to one of our Sleep Experts in-store.