10 of the best baby mattresses

We also have a roundup of the best kids mattresses for when your baby gets too old for a cot.

Best baby mattresses at a glance

• Best mattress for adaptability: Snüz Surface Pro Adaptable Cotbed Mattress, £189.95
• Best mattress for lasting power: The Little Green Sheep Twist Natural Mattress, £199-£219
• Best chemical free mattress: Obaby Natural Coir/Wool Mattress, £130
• Best mattress for reliability: Silentnight Safe Nights Airflow Cot Mattress, £109
• Best mattress for superior support: Naturalmat Quilted Spring Mattress, £270-£280
• Best budget mattress: Ikea Krummeler, £49
• Best premium mattress: Silver Cross Superior Cot Bed Mattress, £149
• Best good quality at a good price mattress: John Lewis Premium Fibre Cot & Cotbed Mattress, £50-£65
• Best mattress for softness and breathability: Panda Kids Bamboo Cot Mattress, £99-£129
• Best mattress for babies with flat head syndrome: Clevamama ClevaFoam Pocket Sprung Mattress, £179.99

What should I consider when buying a baby mattresses?

Material/type – Mattresses are made from a number of different materials. Foam mattresses are normally covered in a wipe-clean waterproof cover and the higher the density of the foam the firmer it is. Spring mattresses are often more durable and supportive than foam but tend to be more expensive. Pocket springs are the more luxury cousin: each spring is individually wrapped in a cloth pocket, giving excellent support and comfort. Finally there are natural/fibre mattresses. These are eco-friendly, chemical free and tend to be very firm. Again, they are on the pricier side.

Safety – It's important to have reassurance that your baby's mattress is as safe as possible. They should meet 2 different British Standards, look out for these numbers (BS 1877-10 + A1:2012, BS 71772008 + A1:2011 and BS EN 16890:2017) to check the mattress meets the safety standards. The mattress should be a snug fit and there MUST be no more than 3cm between the cot/cotbed side and the mattress.

Size – Sizes vary depending on the product and though there are several standard mattress sizes, you will need to make sure you buy a mattress to fit your specific cot or cotbed. It's recommended that cot and cotbed mattresses are 10cm thick to avoid sagging where your baby sleeps. Travel cot mattresses are usually thinner – your baby isn't expected to sleep on these every night.

Waterproof covers/mattress protectors – Some mattresses come with removable machine washable covers and some of these are even waterproof which makes keeping it clean very handy, especially to clean up any accidents. This also means you don't necessarily need a mattress protector too.

Firmness – A baby's mattress is different to those we might want to sleep on as adults. The risk of a soft mattress is that your baby could roll their face into the mattress and sink into it, reducing air flow. Baby mattresses need to be firm and there is an easy way to test this.

Here's our selection of 10 of the best baby mattresses

1. Snüz Surface Pro Adaptable Cotbed Mattress, £189.95

– Best for adaptability

Suitable from: birth | Type: Cotbed mattress | Interior: Springs and foam | Size: L70cm x W140cm x H11cm | Awards: Editors Choice, MadeForMums Awards 2022

A hybrid mattress combining pocket springs with foam, what sets this apart from the rest is its changeable inner layers that can be moved to adjust the firmness as your child grows. The first stage is the firmest, ideal from birth to 12 months. This is how the mattress comes set up, firm and flat. The next stage is designed for toddlers (12 months to 3 years) – just unzip and rearrange the foam layers to create a medium firmness mattress. The final stage is durable for children up to 7 years and you can switch around the foam layers however you like to suit your child's weight, age and of course, preference.

Parent tester Hayley tested this mattress with her son and said, "Overall you can definitely tell that this is a good quality, well made mattress with both the child's comfort and the parents requirements thought about in all aspects. The instructions are very simple pictures to show you how to convert the mattress between the 3 different stages, however I did find the practice slightly less so." However, she did go on to say that once she had positioned the layers correctly it was simple to zip up the mattress and put the sheets on.

Another fantastic thing about the mattress, which is vital with a baby, is its waterproof surface and removable washable covers to help clear up the inevitable accidents.

The breathable 3D mesh cover to keep your baby cool and comfortable all throughout the night.

Snüz also offers a 5-year guarantee.

Pros: Adjustable, grows with child, waterproof, machine washable cover, 5-year guarantee
Cons: Can be a bit confusing to change firmness

Available from: Snüz, John Lewis and Amazon

2. The Little Green Sheep Twist Natural Mattress, £199-219

– Best for lasting power

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cot/cotbed mattress | Interior: Organic coconut coir, latex, cotton and wool | Size: L140cm x 70cm x H10cm (cotbed), L120cm x W60cm x H10cm (cot), L122cm x W68cm x H10cm (Stokke Sleepi), L132cm x W77cm x H10cm , L132cm x W70cm x H10cm, L139cm x W69cm x H10cm (Mamas and Papas)

Made using natural, organic materials, this mattress comes with a twist – it’s really two products in one. One side of The Little Green Sheep Twist mattress is designed to provide firm support, which is recommended by safe sleep experts for babies under 12 months. Once your baby becomes a toddler, you can flip the mattress and use the other side, which is softer and more flexible to make sure your tot has a comfortable night’s sleep.

One of the big advantages with this mattress is it comes in a variety of sizes to fit different makes of cots and cot beds. Another selling point is that the materials used are breathable, hypoallergenic and free from chemicals and toxins. The mattress also comes with a five-year guarantee so should easily last until your child outgrows it.

Parent tester Yvonne has used this with her 2 year old son since he was 8 months old and has a lot of love for this mattress. "As a mama who values my sleep, anything that gets my son toddler to have a good night's sleep is a blessing. It doesn't come cheap, but as a mama wanting the best for my little boy I was happy to make that investment. It's free from chemicals and comes in a range of sizes. The best thing about the mattress is that the material is breathable with built in weight distribution."

However, the mattress does not come with a removable cover and is sponge clean only, which can be awkward when dealing with leaking nappies or posseting babies. The Little Green Sheep recommends using its waterproof mattress protector so you will need to factor in this additional cost, which makes the Twist more expensive than some of the alternatives. But parent tester Alexis feels the mattress is worth the higher price tag: “Absolutely love this mattress! It’s comfortable and very well made. My daughter sleeps great. Great quality.”

Pros: Double sided with two firmness options, organic materials
Cons: Sponge clean only with no removable cover

Available from: The Little Green Sheep, Samuel Johnston, John Lewis and Amazon

3. Obaby Natural Coir/Wool Mattress, £130

– Best for a chemical free choice

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cotbed mattress | Interior: Coconut coir, lambswool and latex | Size: L140cm x W70cm x H10cm

This cotbed mattress from Obaby sells itself on its natural, chemical-free materials, which protect against dust mites and help regulate your baby’s temperature. The interior is made from a mix of coconut coir – a natural fibre taken from the husk of a coconut – and wool. The coconut coir is bonded with latex and is designed to feel like springs, while the lambswool is breathable to prevent moisture building up. These materials are a good choice for babies and toddlers with allergies and, when the time comes to get rid of the mattress, you can do so with a clear conscience as it is biodegradable.

Each mattress comes with a removable cover, made from organic bamboo, which can be unzipped and washed to keep your baby’s sleeping space clean and hygienic. This makes the Obaby mattress a great choice if you have a baby who often brings up feeds and it will safely last you into potty training and beyond.

The bamboo cover is described as “soft-touch” and has natural antibacterial properties. And you don’t have to factor in the additional cost of a mattress cover.

However, it only comes in one size so is only suitable if you have a cot bed with the right dimensions, which includes those in the Obaby range. You also don’t get the benefits of having two different sides as you’ll find with some mattresses, so make sure you’re happy with the firmness before you use it.

Pros: Organic bamboo removable cover, good value for money
Cons: Only 1 option when it comes to size and firmness

Available from: Wayfair, Amazon and Obaby

4. Silentnight Safe Nights Airflow Cot Mattress, £109

– Best for reliability

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cot mattress (cotbed size also available) | Interior: Polyester | Size: L120cm x W60cm x H10cm (cot) orL140cm x W70cm x H10cm (cotbed)

Coming in at just above £100, the Safe Nights Airflow mattress offers great value from money, especially as Silentnight is a trusted household name. The core is foam free, which means it will remain firm and cool – important considerations when it comes to creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby.

One great feature with this mattress is that it is easy to clean after an accident. As well as having a removable cover that can go in your washing machine, the core can be rinsed in the shower. The 3D mesh cover aims to promote free airflow and the fabric has been coated with Purotex – microcapsules filled with probiotics that absorb moisture and repel allergens like dust mites.

Although it isn’t made from completely natural materials like some on our list, it is free from chemical treatments and is fully recyclable. Unlike some mattresses which come with a five-year guarantee, the manufacturer’s guarantee is three years but it should safely last you until your baby outgrows their cot.

Pros: Well-priced, easy to clean with washable core
Cons: Only 2 standard sizes available

Available from: Silentnight, Amazon and Argos

5. Naturalmat Quilted Spring Mattress, £270-280

– Best for superior support

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Crib, carrycot, cot and cot bed mattress | Interior: Coir, latex and lambswool | Size: L120cm x W60cm x 120cm x H15cm (cot), L140 x W70cm x H15cm (cotbed) plus bespoke sizes

All Naturalmat mattresses are made from chemical-free, natural substances and all materials used will biodegrade or be re-used at the end of their lives. There are no fire-retardant chemicals, yet the mattresses meet fire safety standards thanks to naturally fire-retardant materials and all fibres have been locally sourced by the company in Devon, making them truly sustainable.

The breathable and hypoallergenic Quilted Spring Mat can be made to measure in 10 days and the company offers sizes to fit not just cots and cotbeds but also the carrycots of many popular pushchairs and for cribs and bedside cots too. If you love them, they make single bed mattresses right up to Emperor size, so you may well end up using them throughout your bedrooms.

The mattress is made from coir, cotton, natural latex and organic lambswool. It has a firm side for babies under one year and a softer side for toddlers and the hand nested pocket springs will support your baby’s growing body as thy sleep. The comfortable quilted cover has an OEKO-TEX® certified hypoallergenic treatment that protects it from moths, bed bugs, dust mites and mosquitos and it is removable and washable at 600C. The mattress comes with a five-year guarantee.

Pros: all natural and chemical free; can be made to any size
Cons: a bit pricey

Available from: Naturalmat

6. Ikea Krummeler, £49

–Best budget-buy

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cot mattress | Interior: Foam | Size: L120cm x W60cm x D8cm

Swedish furniture retailer Ikea specialises in simple and affordable products and its cot mattress is no different. Priced at a budget-friendly £95, it is significantly cheaper than some of the other options on the market. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the low price tag means it is a basic product.

The Jättetrött is a pocket spring mattress, meaning that each spring is sewn into a pocket of fabric. This allows more air to circulate than a foam mattress and helps your baby stay cool while sleeping. The springs in pocket spring mattresses also work independently from each other, meaning they provide plenty of support where it is needed.

Other useful features include a removable cover which can be washed at 60°C with a small pocket to keep the zip hidden away from curious little hands. The core of the mattress has a fixed wipe-clean inner cover, which not only improves its fire safety credentials but makes it easier to slip the outer cover back on after washing.

Pros: Great value, wipe-clean inner cover
Cons: 1 size only

Available from: Ikea

7. Silver Cross Superior Cot Bed Mattress, £149

– Best for a premium product

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cotbed mattress | Interior: Foam, pocket springs, polyester pad, natural rubberised coir pad | Size: L140cm x W70cm x H10cm

When you hear the name Silver Cross, it is probably prams and pushchairs which come to mind rather than mattresses. However, this superior cot bed mattress matches the brand’s reputation for luxury and quality and it comes with a three-year warranty. The product is double-sided, offering different levels of support for your baby, depending on their age. There is a firmer side intended for babies up to 18 months and then a softer side for toddlers.

The pocket spring mattress includes 190 baby springs so it can offer targeted ergonomic support to your child as they grow. Another feature that makes this mattress stand out from the crowd is its True Fit borders and square corners, designed to make sure there are no little gaps between the mattress and the cot bed where little limbs could get trapped, posing a safety risk.

The materials used are hypo-allergenic, making it a good choice for babies with allergies. There is also a waterproof layer to protect the interior from getting damp. The outer cover is made using Tencel, a soft, breathable fabric made from recycled eucalyptus that absorbs moisture and helps regulate temperature, and it can be removed and washed at 60°C.

The appearance of this mattress is also a plus point, with charcoal grey piping around the edges and a quilted finish. The Superior mattress is Silver Cross’s mid-range option and it is more expensive than many other options on the market, but many parents will feel the added features are worth the premium price point.

Pros: Double-sided, True Fit borders
Cons: Premium price tag, 1 size only

Available from: John Lewis, Baby Planet, Kiddies Kingdom and Silver Cross

8. John Lewis Premium Fibre Cot & Cotbed Mattress – £50/£65

– Best for good quality at a good price

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cot and cotbed mattress | Interior: Springs | Size: L120cm x W60cm x H10cm (cot) or L140cm x W70cm x H10cm (cotbed)

If spring mattresses are too pricey, this premium fibre option from John Lewis could be a great alternative. The quilted micro-fibre mattress cover is removable for washing and helps control the temperature and comfort of your baby. Inside is a wipe-clean inner cover that helps keep the mattress clean and hygienic.

The cover can be removed and washed at 40°C so you don’t have to worry about the mattress becoming dirty and soiled.

And with a one-year guarantee, this John Lewis own-brand mattress should stay in good shape until your child is ready to move into a full-size bed.

Parent tester Sammy used this mattress with her son (pictured above) from 6 to 24 months and loved how there were "no signs of sinking or wear when it came time to get rid of it". Sammy went on to say, "We were really pleased with how comfortable it felt, especially as it was a reasonable price."

Pros: well padded, affordable
Cons: Only two sizes available

Available from: John Lewis – cot and cotbed

9. Panda Kids Bamboo Cot Mattress, £99-£129

– Best for softness and breathability

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cot and cotbed mattress | Interior: Airflow foam, hydro foam and breathable mesh | Size: L120cm x W60cm x H10cm (cot) and L140cm x W70cm x H10cm (cotbed)

Bamboo is known for its sustainability, softness and breathability, making it the ideal choice for baby bedding. This Panda Kids mattress comes with a removable bamboo outer cover, which is simple to wash at 30°C and is naturally thermo regulating. However, while the outer materials may be eco-friendly, the interior of the mattress is manmade and consists of two different types of foam.

The top layer is made from Hydro foam, which is described as a third-generation memory foam infused with minute gel capsules, while the lower layer of airflow foam acts as a support base to keep the mattress from moving around in the cot.

Experts warn against letting babies sleep on standard memory foam mattresses as they simply don’t give the level of firm support needed for those under 12 months. However, the Panda Kids Bamboo mattress has been specifically designed to be safe for use from birth. The mattress has a unique six-layer construction which includes a breathable mesh, a waterproof coating and an anti-slip layer featuring micro-silicone grips.

One big advantage is that Panda Kids offers a free trial period, so you see how you get on with it before investing. You can try this product out for 30 nights before deciding whether to keep it or return, making it a risk-free purchase. And if you do choose to stick with it, there is a five-year guarantee, so you won’t need to worry about paying for a replacement before your child starts school.

Pros: Bamboo cover, 30-day trial period
Cons: The memory foam has a strong smell at first

Available from: Amazon, Panda and Huggle

10. ClevaMama ClevaFoam Pocket Sprung Mattress, £179.99

– Best for babies with flat head syndrome

Suitable from: Birth | Type: Cot or cotbed mattress | Interior: Clevafoam | Size: L120cm x W60cm x H11cm (cot) or L140cm x W70cm x H11cm (cot bed)

With safe sleep advice to always lay your baby on their back to sleep, there have been more concerns from parents about Flat Head Syndrome or plagiocephaly. The ClevaMama ClevaFoam pocket sprung mattress aims to protect the natural round shape of your little one’s head, helping the correct development of babies’ skulls.

This hybrid mattress combines up to 362 adaptive pocket springs with Clevafoam, which was developed with researchers at Trinity College at the University of Dublin and claims to reduce pressure on the back of an infant’s head by 50 per cent. It’s not memory foam (which is not recommended for babies) although it has some similar features.

The key difference is that it’s developed to have an open cell structure, making it lighter and cooler than traditional foam mattresses and 100% breathable, according to ClevaMama, to reduce the risk of your baby overheating. Memory foam is usually a closed cell structure which makes it heavy, dense and with reduced airflow causing it to retain heat.

Parent tester Gina, mum of 3, commented: “I like that it supports their whole body and will regulate their temperature to prevent overheating. I also feel that the price is fair considering the comfort and the 3 year guarantee it comes with.” Laura, mum of a 9 month old, said, "This mattress has definitely improved the quality of my baby’s sleep, she now sleeps through without crying out. Baby mattresses are often very hard and uncomfortable, but I would happily sleep on this if it were big enough!”

The mattress comes with a three-year guarantee and is vacuum-packed at the point of manufacturing, so it is hygienic and compact to store if you buy it before you need to use it. However, remember it will take a little time for it to expand to its proper shape when you get it out of its packaging.

Pros: Vacuum-packed for convenience and hygiene, aims to prevent flat head syndrome
Cons: May take a while to regain proper shape when unpacked

Available from: Amazon and ClevaMama

Pic credits: Product site and MFM tester pics

Can I use a second-hand mattress?

If you’re buying a new cot or cot bed, you may find a mattress comes included with your purchase. However, if you are given a cot by someone else or you buy second-hand, you will need to buy a new mattress even if the existing one appears to be in perfect condition.

And if you already have a mattress in your home which was used by an older child, it is still a good idea to replace it. The reason why second-hand mattresses are seen as a no-no is because they have been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is sometimes referred to as cot death.

There is also the risk a used mattress might be harbouring bacteria or dust mites, which could aggravate any allergies. It is also worth bearing in mind that mattresses do lose their shape over time and a second-hand item is likely to be less comfortable and supportive.

When should I replace my baby’s mattress?

Most cot and cot bed mattresses are designed to last until your child has outgrown his sleeping space and moved into a bed. With this in mind, you shouldn’t need to replace the mattress until you move your toddler into a bed designed for older children.

To reduce the risk of having to pay for another mattress while your child is still small, look for brands which offer guarantees on their products. Some mattresses will come with a five-year guarantee, while others may have a warranty for three years.

You can prolong the use of your baby's mattress by keeping vacuuming it, some vacuums come with special mattress attachments to remove any dust or dirt.