Mums and dads chat See all baby groups There are many different types of cot mattresses available. You can choose foam, spring interior, natural fibre, special anti-allergy models, or a combination of these. SIDS and Kids recommend:A mattress is firm and clean and is the right size for the cotThere is no more than a 25mm gap between the mattress and cot sides and endsRemoving the plastic packaging before you start using your mattressMaking sure that waterproof mattress protectors are a strong tight fit.Foam mattressesFoam mattresses are generally the cheapest available. They often have a PVC cover, which is easy to keep clean. Choose a mattress which is at least 8-10cm thick, to help support your baby while she sleeps. Some foam mattresses have ventilation holes but these aren't necessary. ProsLightweight.Cheap.ConsPVC cover might make your baby feel a bit clammy in hot weather.Spring interior mattressesThese mattresses are made of coiled springs covered with a layer of foam.
On top of that, one side of the mattress is sometimes covered in cotton fabric and the other in wipe-clean plastic. Parents' tip: If you're concerned that your baby is getting overheated when sleeping on the plastic side of the mattress, lie it cotton side upwards instead. ProsSome parents like giving their baby a traditional sprung mattress.Some sprung mattresses may be more comfortable than foam.ConsMore expensive than a foam mattress.Natural fibre mattressesThe interior of a natural fibre mattress is usually coconut fibre coated in latex, which is waterproof. The covers are soft cotton. ProsGood choice if you are concerned about your baby sleeping on synthetic material.Long lasting, as it holds its shape well.ConsMore expensive than foam or spring interior mattresses.Less widely available than other types of mattress.Hypoallergenic mattressesIf allergies or asthma are a concern in your family, you might want to consider a hypoallergenic mattress for your baby. These come with a quilted top layer that can be easily detached from the body of the mattress.
ProsGood choice if your baby has allergies or asthma. Easy to keep clean.ConsMay be more expensive than other kinds of mattress. You can always use a washable mattress cover on a regular mattress to reduce dustmites.For most babies this may be a luxury buy.2010. Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy: Frequently asked questions . Track your baby’s development Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby’s development and yours throughout your pregnancy. Enter your due date or child's birthday Enter your email address Privacy policy & terms Support for your parenting journey. Delivered to your inbox. My Baby This Week Newsletter Keep up with your baby’s development with personalised weekly newsletters. Get the latest parenting news, plus expert advice and real-world wisdom. Special Offers from Our Partners Receive discounts, deals and parenting information from BabyCenter’s partners. Log in or sign up to post a comment!
Choose An Air Mattress That Your Guests Will Love Is it OK for Kids to Share a Room While Sleeping? Sleeper Sofas: How to Buy the Best One Giving your guests a comfortable place to sleep has never been easier.In an ideal world, homes would always have full guest rooms, complete with a spare bed for friends and family who are visiting. But in the real world, that isn’t always the case. And that’s when a sleeper sofa or air mattress comes in handy.There are many reasons to pick a sleeper sofa. They tend to be more supportive than air mattresses (although they are also more expensive—anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars—which is why air mattresses have their place, too ). How a sleeper sofa works: During everyday life, it’s a comfortable couch that’s perfect for reading or watching TV. When guests arrive, the cushions come off, and it transforms into a place for people to sleep.If your memories of sleeper sofa mattresses are thin cushions over iron bars, then you haven’t seen the latest offerings.
They’ve come a long way since then, and knowing what options are available can help you get the best one for your home. Follow these tips, below.Check Out Different Mattress Styles. While they used to mostly contain spring mattresses (which can result in getting poked or creaky springs waking you up when you roll over), sleeper sofas now come with memory foam options and air/innerspring hybrids, where there is some air inflated above the traditional spring-style mattress to make it much thicker. These styles can add between $100 and $250 to the cost of the sofa, so make sure that you test each one out in the store beforehand (just like you would when shopping for a normal mattress).Look For Foam Toppers. Manufacturers now make sleeper sofa mattresses that have comfortable padding added to the top, which makes them much more comfortable to sleep on.Get The Right Size. Measure how much space you have available for the fully extended sleeper sofa. After all, you don’t want to have to move a lot of furniture around to get it open.
Sleeper sofas don’t just come in one size—they usually come with queen or full mattress options (but there are even ones available with twin or king mattresses).See if there are any sharp points that might snag your sheets as you’re putting them on. You want the mechanism to be smooth when you’re pulling the mattress out and putting it back in.A sleeper sofa is essentially a mattress inside a sofa, which can make the entire product quite heavy. So you may want to consider an instead of a sleeper sofa if you have to haul your purchase up several flights of stairs.Ask What the Frame is Made of. One way to avoid metal bars digging into your guests is to get a sleeper sofa with a kiln-dried hardwood frame. It takes the moisture out of the wood, which keeps it from cracking or warping over time.Sit on it While it’s Folded. Most of the time, you’re going to be using this piece of furniture as a sofa, so don’t forget to check that the cushions are comfortable and high-quality.