For every parent, their little bundle of joy is the most important thing in the world. That’s why we’ve researched far and wide to help you find the best cot bed mattress on the market today. Most parents usually know what type of cot bed they want for the nursery, but the baby’s mattress is arguably the key purchase when it comes to getting the nursery ready.
With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming and worrisome for a new parent to select the right fit for their child. Babies and toddlers spend more time asleep than awake, which is why selecting a cot bed mattress for them is essential.
Babies spend between 13 and 16 hours per day sleeping. Do not worry about the decision making, as we are here to help! Here in LightSleeper, we test each product we review and thoroughly inspect it for a set number of days. However, we are non-professionals in the medical field, and these are only recommendations.
With that said, we’ve carefully selected the Top 5 Cot Bed Mattresses for 2022 so that you can make an informed decision.
1. Panda Kids Bamboo Mattress – Editor’s Pick
Panda is a company that uses bamboo in almost all of its products because of its benefits. And this Pand Kids Bamboo Mattress is no exception!
Suitable for newborns all the way up to 5 years of age, this product is highly breathable and also waterproof due to using nanotechnology. It comes in two sizes (120 x 60 cm and 140 x 70 cm) and is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified.
That means that this Panda product was tested and turned out safe for babies and kids with sensitive skin. You get a removable and machine washable cover and anti-slip micro-silicone grips at the bottom of the mattress to secure it in place.
Its core is upper gel-infused memory foam, which offers lower supportive airflow and excellent temperature regulation. It balances out weight evenly and provides your child with comfort.
This Panda product has over 3000 positive reviews that showcase its quality. But, if that’s not enough, you get a 5-year guarantee and a 30-night trial to make sure this is the best option available!
Key features:
- Anti-slip grips
- Machine washable Bamboo cover
- Waterproof
- Trial Period for Returns: 30 days
- Warranty: 5 years
2. Little Green Sheep Natural Twist
Next, we have the Little Green Sheep Twist Cotbed mattress, which is 100% natural. This premium product is perfectly suited for newborns until 12 months with a firm side and a natural latex side.
It has a BSI number that shows the product you’re buying is in line with British safety standards. This Little Green Sheep option is handmade with breathable cotton, supportive coconut fibres and mini springs with pressure-relieving benefits.
The Twist Cotbed has naturally hypoallergenic fleece wool, which works like magic when we talk about dispersing moisture and creating an anti-dust mite space.
Panda creates products in which your child can sleep in a healthy environment that is free from toxins and harmful chemicals. It comes in one size (140 x 70cm) and has a 5-year guarantee. However, it’s not waterproof, so you might want to get a mattress protector.
Key features:
- Dual-sided
- Hypoallergenic
- 100% natural
- BSI number
- Warranty: 5 years
3. Silentnight Safe Nights Airflow
If you want to best for your baby, but you’re on a budget, the Silentnight Cot mattress will blow you away. Silentnight has been in the sleeping industry for over 70 years, making it one of the few companies that have excited longer than the warranty they offer.
This Safe Nights Airflow product is designed with breathability and temperature control in mind. Your child will get a cooler night’s sleep on a soft-knitted removable and washable 3D mesh cover. Silentnight’s cover is treated by Purotex in order to be hypoallergenic. That’s why it will be improbable to cause any allergic reaction in your kid.
It comes in two sizes (120 x 60 cm and 140 x 70 cm). But what makes this affordable option stand out is that it is free from foam and any unpleasant odours it may bring. Constricted from Silentnight’s sustainable Eco Comfort Fibre™, this item is a lot more breathable than others. However, it can only be returned in 14 days, if you haven’t opened or used it.
Key features:
- Breathable cover
- Purotex & hypoallergenic cover
- Eco Comfort Fibre™ layers
- Period for Returns: 14 days
- Warranty: none
4. Eve Baby Mattress
The Eve Baby Cot mattress is undoubtedly a top competitor that has won awards from Junior Design and the Baby Products Association (BPA). With many excellent reviews, this product is a hybrid that includes a core spring pocket layer for support, encased by foam and wrapped up in a waterproof protector. That way you can be sure that all liquids and bed bugs stay away!
Eve’s protector has a chic design, but what makes it unique is that you can machine wash it up to 60℃. You get to choose from two available sizes (60 x 120 cm and 70 x 140 cm) and appreciate that the Eve Baby mattress meets all legal UK safety and regulatory requirements.
One of the biggest reasons behind that is the Certi-PUR certified foam that proves that no harmful chemicals were used in the manufacturing. And if that’s not enough, it also comes with a BSI number, which complies with the country’s safety standards.
Key features:
- Hybrid with springs
- Machine washable
- Waterproof protector
- Trial Period for Returns: 30 days
- Warranty: 5 years
5. Mamas & Papas Essential Spring
Last but surely not least in this guide is the Mamas and Papas cot bed mattress. This unbelievable product is a dual-purpose cot bed, which is engineered to grow with your baby.
Mamas & Papas understand the importance of sleep for your little one, which is why they designed a product to support a good night’s sleep, so both your little one and you can enjoy a silent night.
This lovely suggestion comes with a hypoallergenic, water repellent cover to protect against little accidents and allergens. Mamas and Papas beds are made in the UK and are completely foam-free. The spring design offers great all-around support for your child, with a design that supports better airflow, so your little one is cool and cosy at night.
Key features:
- Hypoallergenic cover
- Foam-free
- Water-repellent
- Dual-purpose
- Made in the UK
How to choose a cot bed mattress?
Next, we will try to help you with a few explanations and features that have to be taken into account before making a purchase. They are the following:
Base
Selecting a base is something that can be beneficial for your baby as it grows. If you choose an adjustable option, you will typically find it with three positions.
Those positions can be switched with your baby’s growth. Every cot bed base will come with instructions, and in them, you can find the recommendations for the specific levels a set product offers. By selecting the appropriate base, you give your child a better chance at blissful sleep, and possibly a longer rest for yourself.
Mattress
No matter if you choose a cot or a cot bed, you have to get the right type of mattress to go in it.
Even if you’re using a second-hand base, we recommend that you buy a new mattress so that you can make sure its dust free and hypoallergenic. You should look for a product that is on the firmer side and fits your bed with no gaps.
Usually, mattresses and cot beds are sold separately, which gives you the choice of different types. If you don’t know what they are, we will discuss them later on in the article.
Size
Cots are often smaller than cots beds. Even though there’s a lot more variation in sizes when we talk about cot beds, they are generally quite similar.
Usually, that’s around 145cm long, 100cm tall and 75cm deep. Most options will have side rails between 84-87cm high in the highest position. Sometimes that can be a challenge for a shorter person to reach over.
That’s why you should consider a product with a drop side that will reduce this height and make it easier for you to reach your child. Lastly, don’t forget to measure the space you have in your bedroom or the nursery you will be using.
Wood or Not?
The material used for the bed will showcase its durability and quality. Some choices are better than others, but people typically decide between wood or MDF (engineered wood product).
Of course, the cost and quality will depend on the type of wood. When you’re making a decision check on the label whether the mentioned material is used throughout or is only a finish on top.
Teething Rail
Chewing the edge of a cot is a habit that many babies have. That can be dangerous for a baby or a toddler since it can cost damage.
However, you can prevent that by choosing an option with a teething rail. The protective covering on the side edges will help protect the cot and most importantly, your kid.
Casters
If you’re planning on continually moving your cot bed from one room to another, you might want to consider casters or mounted wheels. They can come in handy, plus with them, it’s going to be much easier for you to clean underneath the bed so that no specks of dust stay around your child.
Final Words
As a parent, nothing is more important than your child, which is why you want to make sure that they get the sleep and rest they need while ensuring their comfort and safety.
Mattress brands frequently change, and so do the products they offer, which is why we will continue to provide you with the most up to par information. We might not be professionals, but we’ve tested, researched and commented on every product we’ve put on this list.
We hope that this article was helpful, and you were able to find what you are looking for. If there are any questions, regarding the subject that were left unanswered, we would gladly answer them in the comments below.