9 best mattresses for babies 2024 | Top-rated cot mattresses
There’s much to consider when buying a cot mattress so we break down the most important factors to help everyone get some sleep.
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Considering how much time babies spend sleeping in the first year or so of their lives, it’s super important to choose the right mattress, one that offers the right balance between comfortable, supportive and safe. After all, there’s no doubt that giving your bub the right start can make a big difference when it comes to setting up healthy sleep habits.
However, there are so many options out there – as there are for adult mattresses – it can be tricky knowing where to start.
To help you out we have our favourite cot mattresses below to get you little (and all the family) peacefully off to sleep.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST SPRING BABY COT MATTRESSES
Tasman Eco Deluxe Pocket Spring Mattress, $199 at the memo
Why we love it: It has a removable washable bamboo
What to consider: Must leave 14 days from unwrapping to allow mattress to expand to full size
Materials: Pocket springs, latex | Dimensions: 132cm x 70cm x 11cm | Age: Newborn+
What you need to know
This mattress combines individually wrapped pocket springs and a 10mm latex and foam topper to offer a super comfy yet supportive mattress for your little one. It also comes with a removable cover made of a bamboo blend that is soft breathable and most importantly, machine washable.
One five-star reviewer commented, “Absolutely obsessed with this mattress. It’s such excellent quality. Perfectly firm. It came incredibly compact but was too its actual size within a couple of hours. Couldn’t recommend more!”
Vale Cot Mattress, $139.95 (down from $159.95), Mocka
Why we love it: Approved by CHOICE
What to consider: It takes two weeks to fully expand so buy well in advance
Material: Steel springs, foam | Dimensions: 10cm x 69cm x 130cm
What You Need To Know
This mattress is firm and supportive, easy to clean and breathable. It’s made from 100 per cent polyester (dacron) and contains air-circulated wave foam and tempered steel pocket coils to keep it nice and firm. It also gets a tick from CHOICE for firmness and being double-sided, however, they recommend you double check the measurements to make sure it fits your cot correctly.
One happy shopper left a five-star review saying, “Soft and firm, perfect for baby!” Another said, “Bubs seems to love it. Good night sleep straight away.”
Love N Care Innerspring Cot Mattress, $179 at Baby Bunting
Why we love it: Firm mattress with excellent breathability
What to consider: Some customers had difficulty finding sheets to fit
Material: Foam and steel spring combo Dimensions: 131cm x 76cm x 13m | Age: Newborn to 4 years
What You Need To Know
Made from a super comfortable orthopaedic foam and steel spring combo, this mattress is breathable and firm while also being low-allergenic. The orthopaedic foam means your baby will always be supported as they grow, and the support is evenly distributed across the mattress (perfect for bubs who have a tendency to do 360’s in their sleep!) It has plenty of great reviews online – just note that this mattress is a little wider than standard, so may not fit every cot.
DreamZ Firm Spring Cot Mattress, $113.999 (down from $149), at Myer
Why we love it: A firm mattress that is also reversible
What to consider: Need to wait 48 hours after unpacking before use
Material: Coil springs | Dimensions: 70cm x 130cm x 13cm | Firmness level: Firm
What You Need To Know:
Made with a five-turn spring coil system, this mattress is not only firm and supportive, but also breathable with excellent air flow. It features reinforced corners and best of all it’s reversible, making it last just that little bit longer.
“Good firm cot mattress,” commented one five-star Myer shopper. “Light weight also makes it easy to change the bedding.”
BEST FOAM BABY COT MATTRESSES
P’tit Lit Memory Foam Baby Cot Mattress, $420 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: Double-sided to support your baby as they grow
What to consider: It doesn’t come freight free
Material: Foam | Dimensions: 130cm x 70cm x 12cm | Firmness level: Firm
What You Need To Know
This supportive, orthopaedic mattress has dual sides to support growing babies – a slightly softer, padded side to provide comfort to tiny babies, relieve pressure points and help prevent plagiocephaly, and a firmer side for older babies up to toddlers.
Ecosa Cot Mattress, $464 (down from $580) at Ecosa
Why we love it: Both cover and mattress are 100 per cent washable
What to consider: Mattress has to be hand washed in shower or bath
Material: Food-grade polypropylene | Dimensions: 131cm x 75cm x 10cm | Firmness level: Medium to firm
What You Need To Know
This is a mattress at the pricier end of the spectrum but it has one major factor going for it: it’s completely washable! Yep, not only do you remove the cover and chuck it in the machine, but you can actually wash the whole mattress in the shower or the bath, perfect for parents worrying about nasties lingering in their mattress. Made from food-grade polypropylene, it is low-allergen and dust-mite repellent, made with zero chemicals and is 100 per cent recyclable. It also comes in seven sizes – so it will pretty much fit every cot – and the company offers same day delivery to many locations, as well as a 100-night trial.
“My baby has never slept better!” wrote a five-star reviewer. “I was surprised by the range of sizes they offer and I love that it’s completely washable. The mattress is firm and breathable, everything you could want in a cot mattress and it gives me peace of mind.”
DuoCore Cot Mattress, $309, Metro Baby
Why we love it: Dual-sided mattress to suit both newborn and toddler
What to consider:
Material: Foam core, bamboo cover | Dimensions: Range of sizes | Age range: Newborn to 12kg, 12kg to 4+ years
What You Need To Know
This is a revolutionary mattress designed to grow with your child from baby to toddler. It features dual-sided technology, meaning you just simply turn the mattress over when your child reaches a certain weight, with each side designed with a different strength foam core engineered to give the right amount of support. It’s also breathable and temperature regulating, meaning it will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. It also comes with a removable bamboo cover for easy cleaning.
One parent left a review saying, “Great quality, very breathable and fits the cot perfectly.” “Baby sleeps so well on this mattress,” wrote another five-star reviewer. “It’s made the transition from bassist to cot so smooth.”
BEST BREATHABLE/ALLERGY FREE BABY COT MATTRESSES
Boori Breathable Pocket Spring Cot Mattress, $219 (down from $239.95) at Temple & Webster
Why we love it: Supportive and hypoallergenic mattress
What to consider: Ensure that the dimensions fit your cot
Material: Pocket springs, cotton blend cover | Dimensions: 11cm x 65cm x 119cm | Firmness level: Firm
What You Need To Know
This mattress features pocket springs for equal weight distribution as well as corner springs that help maintain its shape. A breathable outer cover made of a blend of natural cotton and polyester, is fast-drying and helps your baby maintain a comfortable temperature, while a foam layer separates the cover and springs.
Babyhood Breathe Eze Cotton Cot Mattress, $99 to $139 at Temple & Webster
Why we love it: Antimicrobial, dust mite resistant and hypoallergenic
What to consider: Different sizes are prices differently
Material: Polyester fibre filling, cotton cover | Dimensions: Varying sizes | Firmness level: Firm and elastic
What You Need To Know
This non-toxic mattress has been made of large thermally bonded polyester fibres that are more resistant to harmful chemicals. It is also provides a firm & elastic sleeping surface that is antimicrobial, dust mite resistant & hypoallergenic. Meanwhile the cover is made from 100 per cent breathable cotton fabric that is both comfy and secure.
This mattress come highly rated by shoppers with a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on the Temple & Webster website. “Great mattress for the little one,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “Perfect mattress,” says another. “Firm for safety.”
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A BABY COT MATTRESS?
The three main things to consider before you buy a cot mattress is: how firm is it, what size is it and how easy is it to clean.
Safety is all about firmness – while adults generally have a preference over whether they like their mattress firm or soft or somewhere in between, for babies there is really only one right choice, and that is a mattress that is firm, as a soft sleeping space can be dangerous for any baby who might roll on their tummy during sleep. All the mattresses listed above meet Australia’s rigorous safety standards, but if you’re picking up one second hand, make sure you consider whether it is still as firm as it perhaps should be.
Secondly, cleaning. I’m sure it’s no surprise to you, but babies are messy. It doesn’t matter how hard you try, that mattress will end up with some sort of bodily fluid on it during it’s lifetime. It’s helpful to choose one that is easy to clean.
Finally, you want to make sure your mattress is exactly the right size for your cot, because any gap between the mattress and the cot rail could be an entrapment or suffocation risk. On that note …
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO BABY COT MATTRESS COME IN STANDARD SIZES?
A standard cot mattress is 69cm by 130cm. Obviously there are some cots which are bigger than that and some which are smaller. Many non-standard-sized cots will also sell mattresses as part of their package, so it’s always good to check when purchasing if that’s an option. As a general rule, a standard mattress will fit most Australian cots – but definitely read the fine print before purchasing.
ARE FOAM MATTRESSES SAFE FOR BABIES?
More Coverage
When it comes to cot mattresses, innerspring steel mattresses have always been the standard because they are firm and considered safest and most supportive. In recent years, however, memory foam mattresses have exploded in popularity among adults who love them for their comfort and orthopaedic support, as well as the fact many are breathable and good for people with allergies. With that in mind, many companies have expanded to offer foam mattresses for infants. While most spring mattresses will have some sort of foam topper anyway (and are considered safe) foam-only mattresses are also generally safe for babies, assuming they are brand new, firm and are compliant with the new AS/NZS Voluntary Standards for cot mattresses.
If you love a discount, make sure you stop by news.com.au Coupons. You’ll find impressive deals across categories from homewares to tech, on brands including Myer, Baby Bunting and the memo.
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