A cot mattress is a cosy sleeping surface for your baby from the time they are born until around the age of 2–3 years old. It helps support your baby's body as they grow. Additionally, the mattress should be firm as babies lack the motor control in their development stages and may sink into a softer mattress and potentially suffocate.
When selecting a cot mattress, it is important to consider whether the mattress has met safety standards, its size, durability and type. Foam options are lightweight and cheaper, but they tend to get hot during the summer. Hypoallergenic models with a spring interior are more durable, but they are often pricier.
For this list, we evaluated different cot mattresses available online. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings. We also chose products for each category based on key product features.
Ecosa Cot Mattress is our choice for the best high-end option. On the brand's website, it has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Reviewed by members of the Red Nose Product Review Committee, Ecosa's cot mattress has met the safety standards to ensure your baby is secured while they sleep. The mattress is firm but supportive to help maximise development while being protective against known risk factors. Its Nestflow core is made from food-grade polypropylene, which means it has no latex, adhesives or chemical-filled nasties. This cot mattress is 100% recyclable as well.
At over $500, this mattress is an expensive but worthwhile product for buyers. It is Oeko-Tex standard-certified, Red Nose Australia approved and features a dust mite-free zone. The firm surface also ensures your little one gets a good night's sleep with ease. A few customers added that it is easy to clean using a damp cloth. However, they wish the brand offered an option to buy a spare cover.
Babyrest Deluxe Innerspring Cot Mattress is our pick for the best inner-spring cot mattress.
Featuring a damask cotton cover and air vents, this double heat-treated cot mattress is durable and firm. It has an ultra-support layer and edge binding for safety. Additionally, it has met the voluntary firmness standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013, ensuring that it is firm enough to provide safe sleeping for your baby. It is available in a wide range of sizes to suit most cots.
Numerous buyers were impressed by the mattress's durability and the ease of cleaning. The surface is extremely breathable, making it an ideal option for hot summer nights. It also features air vents for maximum circulation. Users added that it is quite thick and firm, but still comfy enough to mould to their little one's body. Some reviews reported that the mattress fits too snug for their liking, but this seems to be a minor concern.
For the best eco-friendly cot mattress, we recommend the Babyletto Pure Core Non-Toxic Cot Mattress with Hybrid Cover. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This cot mattress is made of a lightweight, fully recyclable polyester core. It has a multifunctional cover with a soft quilted cotton face and a vinyl-free waterproof backing for easy care. The cover is also machine washable. According to the brand, the mattress is Greenguard Gold-certified, which means it has been tested for over 10,000 chemical emissions and VOCs for safety.
This Babyletto cot mattress has a firm and supportive side for infants and another soft side for toddlers, making it a versatile investment for your baby. Customers said it has just the right amount of firmness to be supportive while providing a breathable sleeping surface for babies. Others loved the soft quilted cotton cover, which adds an extra layer of cosiness for sleeping. However, they wish this product came in more sizes to fit different cots.
Babyrest's Travel/ All-purpose Mattress is our pick for the best portable cot mattress.
This portable cot mattress is ideal for temporary or short-term sleeping. It provides a cosy and safe environment for your little one at an affordable price. It is made in Australia and has a 5cm thickness, providing a firm and supportive sleeping surface. The foam has also been treated with Perma Guard – an anti-microbe treatment of domestic polyurethane foam.
Customers gave positive feedback on the mattress's value for money, durability and portability. It also comes with a removable cover that is machine washable. For added convenience, you can purchase an option with a waterproof side. Additionally, the brand offers a 1-year warranty for this product.
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For this list, we looked into numerous cot mattresses being sold by various online retailers and brands. We picked models from the following brands:
Baby Village
Baby Bunting
Babyletto
Babyrest
Clark Rubber
Ecosa
Giselle Bedding
Kid Spot
Koala
Numu-roo
Plyroom
The Natural Bedding Company
Zentai
We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of December 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, including size, type and safety features. We came up with what we believe are the 4 best cot mattresses you can get in Australia right now.
Types of cot mattresses
There are 4 main types of cot mattresses: foam, spring interior, natural fibre and hypoallergenic.
For those who are unsure which material is best for you, here are the pros and cons of each:
Type
Pros
Cons
Foam: Usually made from polyurethane with a PVC cover and comes in a range of thicknesses. Opt for one that's on the heavier side for greater firmness and safety.
Cheap
Lightweight and easier to lift
Easy to keep clean
PVC cover could be too hot in summer
Less durable
Spring interior: Made from coil springs that are covered with a foam layer, as well as cotton and wipe-clean plastic.
Firmer
Could be more comfortable
Heavier and more durable
Will cost you more than foam
Natural fibre: Usually made from all-natural or organic ingredients, e.g. waterproof coconut fibres coated in latex on the inside and with a soft cotton cover.
Free from chemicals that could be harmful to your baby's health and emit toxic gases, including flame retardants and vinyl
Durable
Costs more than foam or spring interior
Fewer options available
Hypoallergenic: Has a quilted top cover that can detach from the mattress body easily.
For those with allergies or asthma in the family
Easy to keep clean
Could cost you more (an alternative would be buying a washable mattress cover with a regular mattress)
How to compare cot mattresses
When buying a cot mattress, consider the following key features:
Firmness
If a mattress is too soft, your baby's breathing could get obstructed when they roll over into a face-first position. It also may not provide adequate spinal support for your growing child. Flat mattresses, which don't have cushioned, quilted or undulating surfaces, are more likely to be safe. Before purchasing a mattress, press down on the edges and centre of the mattress. A firm mattress should not mould to the shape of your hand and should spring back to its original shape quickly.
Density
Pick a mattress with high density. If your mattress doesn’t list its density, particularly for foam models, check its weight instead. You can also test density by pressing one hand on each side of a mattress – a denser mattress won’t let you press your hands far in. For innerspring models, a firm mattress should have border rods for extra support, more innerspring layers, 135+ coils, a gauge of 15.5 or less and be made from thick insulator pads that contain coir fibres.
Waterproof cover
It’s recommended to get a waterproof, tight-fitting, washable cover. This will protect your mattress from stains and nappy leakage. However, there’s a trade-off between waterproof level and how breathable the cover is. If you’re concerned about breathability, opt for a mattress with ventilation holes. Look out for models with double- or triple-laminated ticking that’s reinforced with nylon, which are more water- and tear-resistant.
Ventilation
Look out for mattresses with ventilation holes. This will ensure better airflow so your mattress doesn’t smell.
Cushioning layers
Look out for a mattress with layers made from cotton or foam. While those made from polyester tend to be cheaper, they’re also of lower quality.
Convertibility
You could consider a dual-firmness mattress, which has a firm side for babies and a softer side for toddlers. However, double-sided models will cost you more.
Additional features
Eco-friendly materials
For those who have environmental concerns or are worried about how safe the chemicals used in standard mattresses are, there are all-natural, organic options available. However, these will probably cost you more. Compare the pros and cons of each material below:
Cloth covers. Instead of using vinyl, there are cloth covers available made from organic, unbleached, dye-free cotton or bamboo, which are renewable, antibacterial and antifungal. However, these materials won't prevent nappy leakages from soaking through your mattress, so it's recommended to get a waterproof mattress pad to complement your cloth cover.
Organic, waterproof mattress pads. Mattress pads that are completely waterproof cannot be all-natural or organic. They're often made with a cotton layer and a polyurethane layer. For those who want an all-natural product, you can consider wool pads, which are water-resistant but aren't 100% waterproof.
Latex. Made from latex rubber, which is extracted from rubber trees. However, some babies may be allergic to latex.
How to check that the mattress fits
To keep your child safe, it's important to double-check cot fit, whether there are any gaps between the mattress and cot sides, and the thickness of the mattress.
Cot fit. The cot mattress should fit snugly into your cot and satisfy the cot manufacturer's recommended dimensions, so double-check your cot's dimensions first before purchasing a separate cot mattress. When the cot mattress fit is too tight, parts of the mattress could curl up, allowing your child to potentially climb out of his or her cot. For dropside models, a tight mattress fit could also impede the drop sides from moving smoothly.
Gaps. Check there aren't gaps at the sides which are larger than 25mm (about 2 fingers) between the mattress edge and cot side, as this could be an entrapment or suffocation risk.
Thickness. Ensure your chosen cot mattress has a minimum distance between the top of the mattress and the lowest side of the cot of 50cm when the cot is in its lowest position and at least 30cm in its upper position.
Is it safe to use a second-hand mattress?
An old, worn mattress is more likely to have breathability issues with greater suffocation risk, is less hygienic and less durable. Also, if a used mattress has foam or padding exposed, it could be more likely to attract bacteria and mould growth.
Tips for safe sleeping
If you're purchasing a vacuum-packed mattress, ensure it's inflated to its full size before use, or else it may not be safe for your baby.
Avoid wrapping your mattress in plastic or any unbreathable material.
Soft toys and bumpers are a suffocation risk and should not be placed in the cot.
Place your baby on their back with feet at the cot base.
Avoid using doonas, pillows, wool or thick blankets in the cot.
Blankets should be tucked in tightly and shouldn't cover your baby's face. Alternatively, use a safe sleeping bag.
Frequently asked questions
Here are a few tips to keep your little one safe in their bed:
Put your infant on their back to sleep unless otherwise instructed by their paediatrician.
Do not place your baby on their stomach as this poses a risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Make sure the cot is free of everything except your baby. This means no toys, blankets or anything that may pose a risk to your little one.
Dress your baby for bedtime in a one-piece sleeper that is appropriate for the season. This can be lightweight during hot months and thicker for colder days.
You can clean a cot mattress using a damp cloth. Simply wipe the surface with the cloth to remove surface dirt. If the mattress has a removable cover, you can machine wash it. Always check with your manufacturer's manual for the best ways to clean your particular cot mattress.
While there isn't a set age for your baby to move from a cot to a bed, most children make the transition at 18 months to 3 ½ years of age.
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
Don’t know where to start looking for a new mattress? This easy guide will help you navigate the world of homewares and make your life easier.
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