Cot and mattress: how to choose safely

Cots with canopies, coconut-fibre mattresses, foam ones, sprung ones, “orthopaedic”, “breathable”… If your head is already spinning, we totally get it. The choice looks huge and the stakes feel high: this is where your baby will spend most of their time. 😴

Still, here’s a reassuring truth: the safest cot isn’t the most expensive one, it’s the simplest one. There are only a few checks, and you can do every one of them yourself in the shop.

The short answer: Look for a mattress that is firm, flat, waterproof and fits the cot with no gaps, and buy the mattress new. In Europe, cots follow EN 716 and mattresses EN 16890. Keep the cot clear of bumpers, pillows, duvets, positioners and soft toys.

What do safe sleep experts say?

The Lullaby Trust, the UK charity focused on safer baby sleep, boils choosing a mattress down to four questions:

• Is it firm? Press it with your hand – the mattress should spring back into shape quickly, and your baby’s head shouldn’t sink into it.
• Is it flat? No raised soft edges, no dips.
• Is it waterproof? At least the cover – so the mattress stays dry and clean.
• Does it fit exactly? No gaps between the mattress and the sides of the cot where your baby could get stuck.

The firmness might strike you as “uncomfortable”. For us grown-ups – probably. But for a baby, a firm, flat surface is safer, because it doesn’t let their little face sink into anything soft.

Which standards should you look for?

In Europe, cots follow the EN 716 standard (for cots and folding cots for domestic use), and mattresses follow EN 16890 (safety of mattresses for cots and cribs). These are exactly what the Lullaby Trust points to. A standard is a set of requirements and tests – for example on stability, on openings where a head or limb could get trapped, and on the mattress itself. If a product meets a standard, it usually says so on the label, the packaging or the manufacturer’s website.

New or second-hand?

The cot itself can happily be second-hand if it’s sturdy, stable, has no missing screws and no broken slats. The mattress is a different story: the NHS, the UK’s health service, names it as one of the few things worth buying new. An old mattress may have sagged or lost its shape.

Coconut fibre, foam, springs – which is best?

There’s no single winner. All three types can be safe if they’re firm, flat and fit properly. The differences are more about weight, airflow and price. Think about what matters most to you:

• If you’ll often be changing the sheets on your own – a lighter mattress will save you effort.
• If your baby gets very sweaty – look for a mattress with a removable, washable cover.
• If you want the cot to last for years – check whether the base height is adjustable.

What stays out of the cot?

The Lullaby Trust advises keeping the sleep space clear: no bumpers, pillows, duvets, positioners or soft toys. We know the cot looks a bit “bare” in photos without them. But a clear cot is a safe cot – and the cute stuff can wait elsewhere in the room. 🧸

For the dads

Building the cot often falls to dad. One request: no “improvising” with extra holes or spare parts from another model. The cot was designed and tested exactly as it comes in the box.

📖 Read next: Bottle sterilisers: do you need one and how to choose · Baby thermometers: types and how to choose

In short

A firm, flat, snug-fitting mattress, a cot that meets the standard, and a clear sleep space. That’s the whole formula – no pricey extras and no unnecessary worry. You know what to check, and that’s more than half the job. You’ll make a good choice. 💛

Sources: The Lullaby Trust – Mattresses and bedding; The Lullaby Trust – A guide to buying safer sleep essentials (PDF); NHS Best Start in Life – What to buy for your newborn baby; BSI – EN 16890 Mattresses for cots and cribs.