9 of the best mattresses for newborn babies 2024

For Moses baskets, cribs, bedside cribs, cots, cot beds and prams.

A baby mattress is an essential part of any kind of baby bed. However, not all of them come with their own mattress so you may have to buy one.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A BABY MATTRESS?

Babies spend a lot of time asleep so it’s worth doing your research and getting the best one you can afford.

Cot mattress safety

Probably the most important factor is the safety of the mattress. It should be firm and flat and fit the sleeping area snugly with no gaps bigger than 3cm.

There are also some British Safety standards to look out for. You will find these on the label or instructions. They are:

BS 1877-10:2011+A1:2012 which general safety standards.

BS 7177:1996 which is a standard regarding flammability.

BS EN 16890:2017 +A1:2021 which is a more recent voluntary cot mattress standard and covers a wider range of safety issues such as the firmness of the mattress.

Baby mattresses sizes

The right size is obviously very important. The instructions for the baby bed you have should tell you what sized mattress you need. Cribs, bedside cribs and Moses baskets can vary in size but generally, the measurements for a cot bed are 140 x 70cm and a cot are 120 x 60cm.

How thick should it be?

A baby’s mattress should be firm but no thinner than 8cm. Less than this and they will not have the support they need. They are no more than 10cm thick as any extra height may allow a small child to climb out more easily and possibly hurt themselves.

THE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF MATTRESS MATERIAL

Material is also an important consideration. These are the four options:

• Foam. These are cheap, supportive, very light and some have ventilation holes.

• Coil sprung. Very supportive mattresses and the increased airflow helps regulate a baby’s temperature.

• Pocket sprung. Excellent support, good airflow and very hard-wearing.

• Natural fibre. Firm, long-lasting and eco-friendly.

Why does my foam mattress have a strong chemical smell?

Foam is derived from crude oil and it is normal for these products to have a chemical smell when new. It’s a natural result of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) hitting the air. There will have been a fairly short gap between the foam being cut and it being sealed in a bag so it may need airing when it arrives. Put in it in a very ventilated room for 2-3 days before use. Or outside for a day if the weather is good enough.

Can you buy a second-hand mattress?

According to safe sleep experts The Lullaby Trust, you should try to always use a new mattress with a baby. This is because of a 2002 Scottish study which found a correlation between second-hand mattresses and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. When this is not possible or if you want to reuse the baby mattress of an older child, clean and dry it thoroughly and check that it:

• has been previously protected by a waterproof cover

• looks in good condition

• is still firm

• fits the cot exactly with no gaps

FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR

Here are some features you might see when choosing a baby mattress.

A removable, waterproof, machine-washable cover

Babies dribble, nappies leak and sometimes they are sick in their bed. If your mattress has a waterproof cover it will protect the inner core. Ideally, it will also be removable and machine washable. If it can be washed at 60°C this temperature will kill any dust mites. You may still also want to get a waterproof mattress protector as the cover may not dry in time for when it’s next needed.

A breathable mattress

These mattresses are air-permeable so that if your baby was face down on it they’d be able to breathe through it. This will reduce the risk of suffocation. But a truly breathable mattress will not also be waterproof, meaning bacteria could breed inside.

Temperature regulating mattress

A mattress described as ‘temperature regulating’ will claim to help a baby not get too hot at night. This can be down to the material used, for example, a layer of natural materials like wool or a special type of polyester designed to wick heat away from the body. Or an open fibre core will also help a mattress to be more temperature regulating.

Hypoallergenic

These are good for children with allergies or asthma and are usually made from natural fibres or treated with anti-microbial technology. For example, Micro-Fresh protection or Purotex.

Dual-core design

Some mattresses have one firm side for babies and one softer side for toddlers.

9 OF THE BEST BABY MATTRESSES

This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:

• Consumer reviews

• Best-seller lists 

• Recommendations from industry experts

• Award-winning products

• Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.

The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 21 January 2024. 

If you buy through a link, I may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.