Sleep is incredibly important, especially for little ones, 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, or even in their teens. However, when it comes to cot mattresses, there’s more to consider than you would for an older child.

What is the size of a cot mattress?

A cot mattress is 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 optimium depth for babies.

Why choose a cot mattress?

From birth until three, 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 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 mattress!

How to choose a cot mattress?

There are a number of things you should look for when buying a 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 cot mattress:
• Water repellent covers – At such a young age, accidents are guaranteed. That’s why its important to have water repellent covers. This means they’re easily wiped 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 cot mattress with hypoallergenic properties allows your little one to sleep irritation-free.
• 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 more stress-free. 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 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 temperature.

How comfy should a cot mattress be?

For adults, we often prefer a super-soft, ultra-luxury mattress in which we can fall to sleep as if in cotton wool! 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 as needed. That’s why we recommend at minimum a medium level of comfort for their cot mattress. For this reason, cot mattresses are usually only available at 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 the cheaper option, a foam cot mattress is great for those on a budget. If you’re looking for a cot 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 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. This means it can be worth making the investment for a cot mattress that’s a little more expensive than you initially budgeted for. That’s because cot mattresses with advanced sleep technology can make for a much easier life, for both you and your little one.
• 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 sleep position and night-time movement. Often featuring extra high-tech properties, they are one of the best options for ensuring your child gets a quality sleep and the right amount of it too.

If you’re not quite sure about the best cot mattress for you, we recommend speaking to one of our sleep experts. For the best advice and guidance, call now on 0800 652 5090.