Give your little one the best and safest sleeping space with our top cot mattress tips.Cot mattress safetyA crucial part of baby cot safety is choosing the best cot mattress. Here are our tips to make sure your cot mattress measures up. Make sure you choose the right size of mattress. Make sure the mattress is firm and flat, and protected by a waterproof cover Avoid second-hand mattresses where possible. Check any mattress you use conforms to current safety requirements. Mattresses should carry the BSI number BS 1877-10:2011+A1:2012. The mattress should fit the cot with no gaps down the side that are more than 4cm. The Lullaby Trust recommends you buy a new cot mattress for your baby, where possible. If you have a second-hand mattress, whether it's a mattress you've used for one of your other children or one that has been given to you, check the following: That the mattress is in good condition; that it's flat, firm, not soft, fits the cot without any gaps and doesn't sag.
It has been cleaned and dried thoroughly. Check that it was previously used with a waterproof cover. Make sure you use it with a waterproof cover. Check it's free from cracks or tears or holes. Find the best cot bed to use with your cot mattress in our cot bed reviews. Choosing a cot mattressCheck the cot mattress sizeA mattress around 8-10cm thick is enough to support your baby.Mattresses come in two basic sizes to fit the equivalent sizes of cot generally available in the shops. Your cot will specify which type of cot mattress it requires: standard (56x118cm) or continental (60x120cm). If the mattress is the wrong size, your baby could be dangerously trapped in gaps between the cot and the mattress. The gap between the mattress and the cot should be no more than 4cm (1.5 in)If you buy a cot that is smaller or larger than the norm, you can get mattresses specially made to fit your cot.Choose one that's easy to keep cleanTo keep the mattress as hygienic and clean as possible, choose one with a PVC-covering or a removable top panel that you can wash at a reasonably high temperature.
Squeeze for firmness and measure for thicknessSqueeze a selection of mattresses in the shop and choose one that feels firm rather than soft. To compare firmness, squeeze at the edges and at the centre. Your baby needs a mattress that provides good support and won't sag.Look for a cot mattress that is around 10cm thick. Anything thinner won't provide the support your baby needs. Thin foam, in particular, can lose its shape and dent easily.A travel cot mattress should be no more than 10cm thick and you should expect the mattress in a crib or Moses basket to be no more than 5cm thick. These thicknesses are specified in BS 1877:Part 10:1997, the safety regulations that govern cot mattresses.Check out our Best Buy cot beds.Sign up for a £1 Which? trial to access these and our thousands of other independent reviews. Types of cot mattressesFoam mattressesFoam mattresses tend to be the least expensive. The simplest versions are made from a single layer of supportive foam completely covered with a wipe-clean, waterproof PVC cover.
Some foam mattresses have ventilation holes, but these aren't necessary. Generally easy to keep clean. Good value for money. Can provide good support and resistance to denting. Some parents may not like the idea of the basic PVC-covered mattress because of concerns about clamminess. Mattresses with ventilation holes (designed to help keep your baby cool) can be more effort to keep clean if your baby is a dribbler or is often sick, because residue can gather in the holes and mesh. Safe sleeping tips – essential bedtime know-how for parents.Spring-interior cot mattressesThese traditional mattresses have a coiled spring interior with layers of felt and foam padding. They often have a cotton cover on one side and PVC or other wipe-clean material on the other. Many parents like the familiarity of a traditional spring mattress. The wipe-clean side is the recommended surface for your baby to sleep on because of the practical advantages, but you can flip it over onto the cotton side if you prefer – eg, if it's hot and your baby feels clammy.
More expensive than foam mattresses. The cotton side may be preferred for comfort but can be more difficult to keep clean (unless you buy a mattress with a removable panel). Coir or natural fibre cot mattressesThese have a core of coconut fibre with other layers of different materials. The fibres are coated in latex for strength and protection, and the natural fibre filling helps air to circulate through the mattress. These mattresses are available with a wipe-clean covering. One of the firmest types of mattress. Tend to last longer because they hold their shape well, so could be a sensible purchase if you want to use it for more than one child. Less widely available than foam or spring interior. Can be more expensive than the alternatives. Hypoallergenic cot mattressThese have a quilted top layer that can be easily detached from the body of the mattress, so you can wash it at 60°C to kill any dust mites that may cause allergies.Allergy UK has a list of approved mattress covers and bedding on its website.
ProsEasy to keep cleanConsMay be more expensive than other kinds of mattressUsing cot beds safely – now you've got your mattress sorted, check out these safety essentials.Over the years, crib safety guidelines have changed quite significantly. Though many used cribs have only been slept in for a few years, and appear relatively new, there may be underlying safety regulations that are not being met. Crib design is an important component of safety. Parents who plan to purchase a used crib should familiarize themselves with all existing safety regulations and learn more about why they are in place. Slats, the small bars that surround most cribs, must be no more than 2 inches apart. This important guideline is in meant to keep babies and toddlers from placing their head through the bars and getting stuck. Though this rule has existed for a while, older and homemade cribs may not have been made to standard. If a can of soda can easily slide through the slats, then they are too far apart.
Corner posts should not be over 1/16 inch high. Corner posts that are higher pose a risk, since children's clothing can become caught on them. This risk becomes especially high as baby gets older and may begin to practice walking around the side of the crib when unattended. When purchasing a used crib, it is important for parents to make sure all the necessary components for construction are included. When buying through eBay, shoppers can verify this information by asking the seller to include the original instructions for putting the crib together. The average eBay seller is quite honest about the merchandise he or she offers and if something seems out of place after shipping, customers are protected through eBay's Buyer Protection program. It is very important for consumers to ask the ebay seller for frame-size measurements when purchasing a used crib. It is important for the standard 52-by-27.8-inch crib mattress to fit in the frame snuggly. Extra space between the crib and mattress poses a risk to small infants who could potentially roll into the space during the night.
Once popular, drop-side cribs included a lever that allowed parents to lower the side of the crib for easy access to their sleeping baby. However, they were connected with a number of injuries and deaths, and subsequently banned for use in the United States in 2011. They are not to be sold, donated, or traded. Consumers should be aware of this information when shopping for used cribs and steer clear of those with drop sides. Older and antique cribs are often beautiful and full of old-world charm. However, not all of them meet modern safety specifications. Parents who choose to purchase antique cribs for their babies to sleep in must not only verify that the design meets modern guidelines, but also look into the materials used to create the crib. For example, some may have been painted with lead paint, which is now recognized as a dangerous neurotoxin. Others may have splinters or rust. Furthermore, it is common for these cribs not to meet the slat and corner post rules. Shoppers should avoid cribs with overhead cutouts, as they can pose a hazard for young children.
Though attractive and a popular element of antique crib design, the risk is simply too great to take a chance with these crib styles. They are fine for display, but should not be subjected to unsupervised use by babies and young children who may become caught in the open spaces. Cribs that offer multiple mattress height settings allow parents to adjust the mattress frame to a comfortable height, without posing a risk to the baby. The highest setting makes it easy for moms and dads to reach their tiny newborn. As babies get bigger, the mattress can be lowered to keep curious tots inside the crib. This alleviates the need for a dangerous drop-side configuration and saves parents from a sore back when their baby is still young. It is, however, important for parents to keep a close eye on baby's growth and make sure that the mattress is dropped appropriately, so the little one cannot climb out or fall over the side. Parents considering the purchase of a used crib may also decide to buy a used mattress.
Some eBayers offer both the mattress and crib as a combined deal. It is common for eBay sellers to offer only the crib, however, since the mattress can be used on a toddler bed as their own baby transitions out of the crib stage. Thousands of parents purchase used crib mattresses every year without incident. Many more reuse a single crib mattress for multiple children within the same family. Though incidents are rare, there are some risks associated with the use of used infant mattresses. In 2002, Scottish research associated a significantly increased risk for SIDS with used mattresses. Researchers concluded that this link was possibly related to the baby inhaling trapped bacteria from the child who slept on the mattress previously. However, the evidence was not strong enough to be conclusive. Parents who do decide to purchase a used crib should do so carefully. They should make sure the used mattress is free of stains, dents, rips, and any other irregularities. Organic mattresses, which are not treated with chemicals, are ideal, though they may prove to be more costly.
Once the used crib mattress arrives, parents should clean it thoroughly using a gentle detergent and warm water, or by following the manufacturer's directions for cleaning. Crib mattresses typically come already encased in a waterproof covering, so the use of spot cleaning using detergent generally works well. It is also a good idea for parents to purchase a crib mattress cover for even greater protection. When it comes to finding a used crib on eBay, parents can begin their search by visiting the baby portal and selecting nursing furniture from the left side, followed by cribs. From here, parents can use the provided categories, create keywords, or combine both options to locate the perfect crib. Finding a used crib on eBay using the categories to the left allows users to sneak a peek at a wide range of available options. This may help undecided shoppers to determine exactly what sort of crib they are interested in purchasing. After arriving at the cribs area on eBay, begin your search by narrowing results to show only used cribs.
This can be done by selecting the "used" box beneath the "condition" category. Consumers who are primarily seeking a used crib due to budget restraints may want to place their price range in the brackets beneath the "price" section and search all cribs. eBay users are frequently surprised at the great deals they can get on brand new cribs. If you already have a certain color or style of crib in mind, performing a keyword search may be the best technique for locating your desired item. Begin by typing a keyword phrase into the search bar located along the top. For example, you can type in the words "used white crib" to show the results for all related items currently listed on eBay. You can expand results by selecting the "include descriptions" box located beneath the blue search button prior to entering the search term. Purchasing a used crib on eBay can be a positive experience for new parents. It is important, however, for parents to research both the crib they intend to buy, as well as the seller they plan to do business with.
Though eBay protects consumers from fraudulent activity, learning as much as possible about a crib before making a purchase helps to ensure a smooth transaction and customer satisfaction. Most of the information you will need to make a confident choice about purchasing a crib can be found on the eBay listing. Check the listing to determine: To learn more about individual sellers, visit their profile by clicking on their username. Some valuable information that can be obtained from the user profile includes: In the rare event that your eBay purchase does not arrive, or is not as described by the seller, you can receive a full refund, including original shipping, thanks to eBay's Buyer Protection program. Be careful to complete all transactions through eBay. Exchanges that take place through MoneyGram, Western Union, or similar wire-transfer programs are considered unsafe and not covered. When parents make an informed decision regarding the purchase of a used crib, they can get fantastic deals.