The best cot mattress for your baby – tried and tested for a good night’s sleep

The CuddleCo Lullaby hypo-allergenic bamboo cot bed mattress is a two-time Mother&Baby Awards Gold winner, featuring two sides: one soft side for cosy nights and another waterproof mattress cover layer included for easy potty training. Crafted with natural hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial properties, it creates a germ-free sleep environment, ensuring peace of mind for mums. Our mum tester Steph loved how her son took to this mattress."My son has really taken to this mattress, and it's given him plenty of good sleep on nights! I feel I can put him down easier and feel more at ease knowing he's on a comfortable mattress for the night.” 

It is available in both cot sizes at 120cm x 60cm and cot bed sizes at 140cm x 70cm, and parent testers loved the quality and how perfectly it fit their child’s cots and cot beds as well as how much space it allowed for little ones to rest and grow. Mum Erin particularly loved the fit, commenting, “it fits the cot well and doesn’t have gaps around the top or bottom.”

Parents also found their tot remained comfortable all night long with this cot bed mattress, with our mum tester Vicky saying how cool it kept her son. “His mattress has never felt too warm or sweaty even in 30-degree plus temperatures." She said.

The CuddleCo Lullaby Hypo-Allergenic Bamboo Cot Bed Mattress was awarded Gold for Best Sleep Product at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 and 2023.

Read our full CuddleCo Lullaby Hypo-Allergenic Bamboo Cot Bed Mattress review.

A firm favourite amongst mums and dads, The Little Green Sheep Natural Twist Cot Bed Mattress is crafted with four natural ingredients - Coconut Coir, Natural Latex, Wool, and Cotton - this mattress offers 100% natural comfort, free from harmful chemicals, ensuring the right support for your little one from infancy to toddlerhood.

The firm side is recommended for babies up to 12 months to provide a safe and supportive sleep surface, while the more supple side features natural latex for more cushiony comfort as your child grows. Our tester, Chris liked that this meant it would last his daughter longer, saying "We were drawn to the fact that it can offer two levels of support – one side, intended for babies aged 0-12 months, is firmer to promote safe sleeping, while the other is softer and aimed for toddlers, but can be used from 12 months up."

Our mum tester, Susan tester loved the fact it was made using natural fibres, giving her peace of mind. “Knowing that the mattress is hand-made from four natural breathable materials with no harmful chemicals or toxins gives me peace of mind. The materials are also temperature regulating, which ensures the baby does not get too hot,” she said. Chris agreed, "We would say that our daughter was also able to regulate her temperature effectively during testing – at no point was there any evidence of her getting too hot while sleeping on the mattress."

As well as its natural materials, mum testers also found this a very comfortable and high-quality mattress, with mum tester Jamie loving the ‘try before you buy’ feature. “The mattress itself was weighty but not too heavy to pick up and move around. I also liked that the plastic cover provided a 'try before you commit' - it allowed me to double check that the mattress would fit my cot bed frame correctly and if not I would be able to return the mattress provided I did not remove the cover” she commented. 

After trying the mattress with his daughter for a few weeks, Chris noticed an improvement in her sleep quality. "Although there has been no change in our daughter’s sleep pattern – she slept from approximately 10 pm to 8 am on her previous mattress and continued to do so on this one – we did note a reduction in the number of occasions we found dampness on her sleep clothing from nappy failures – a drop from approximately once every other night to once every two nights. We believe that this was due to our daughter sleeping more soundly on The Little Green Sheep’s mattress and moving around less in her sleep."

The main area where our mum tester Lucy thought this could be improved is in the addition of a waterproof cover. “Being made of natural materials the product information states that it is therefore very important to avoid spills or accidents getting through to the mattress and that a waterproof mattress protector should therefore be used" she said.

Won Gold at the Mother&Baby Awards 2021 for Baby Sleep Product.

Read our full The Little Green Sheep Group Twist Natural Cot Bed Mattress review.

Made using foam and open coil springs, this affordable yet high-quality mattress supports your baby's natural posture while ensuring breathability with hypoallergenic properties for a peaceful night's sleep. Our tester, Dan Wateridge, found that this was perfect for his 22-month-old, saying, "Sprung mattresses are beneficial to help with the transition from a cot to a toddler bed. The springs also offer more support as our daughter gets bigger and is less prone to flattening. Additionally, the filling to help avoid perspiration helps sleep during the summer months."

The mattress comes with a removable washable cover, making it easy to clean in case of any accidents, and is quilted with 100% polyester filling along with the fully breathable Just-Tec fabric which enhances airflow,  to help keep your little one cool and comfortable throughout the night, while the hypoallergenic properties provide added peace of mind for parents. Dan found this to be the case in the summer months, noting, "We have recently had a bit of a hot spell and have had fewer issues with sweating or poor sleep than we did the previous summer. She is perspiring less at night with this mattress underneath her so I can only assume she is more comfortable. For the comfort of cooler sleeping over the summer alone it is good value." 

Dan also noted that it's a perfect fit for his cot and is thicker than their previous mattress, "comparing this sprung mattress to our current foam mattress, it is easily twice as thick. It also feels very sturdy and durable. The mattress fits our cot perfectly, and bedsheets fit far more comfortably than they did on the thinner foam mattress."

Read the full Tutti Bambini Sprung Cot Bed Mattress review

This mattress is all about giving your baby a cleaner, fresher, and healthier sleep environment. Featuring a blend of nature's finest TENCEL™ fibres and Purotex® anti-allergy protection, The Mother&Baby Gold Collection baby and toddler mattresses ensure a hygienic sleep space. This feature gave our mum tester Lizzy some much-needed peace of mind, with her commenting, “Allergies are definitely an area of concern in our household: I suffer from hayfever, while my husband has psoriasis and asthma. Therefore, anything we can do to lower our son’s contact with allergens gets a big tick. While he’s too young for us to know if he might have inherited any allergies from us, it brings me a sense of relief to know he’s now using a mattress that should lessen the effects of dust or hair as much as possible.”

The Purotex technology found in this White Gold Anti-allergy Pocket Sprung Mattress is proven to reduce house dust mite allergens by 93.7%, cat hair allergens by 92.8%, and dog hair allergens by 66.7%. The inclusion of Tencel natural fibres enhances breathability and temperature control for added comfort. Our tester found this to be the case - "it has been tested on hot nights and found to be perfectly comfy" she said, noting that she did wonder "if the waterproof layer might make the mattress feel a bit hot, but testing coincided with some really warm nights and he’s been absolutely fine on it, including for hot afternoon naps."

This mattress features individual adaptable pocket springs for tailored support for your little one, is suitable for cots, and comes with a waterproof membrane. You’ll be pleased to know all covers are removable and washable, ensuring easy maintenance and long-lasting freshness. 

Our tester, Lizzy, felt that the anti-allergy USP of this mattress made it good value for money as it gave her peace of mind. "As a mum who went through IVF, I’d previously done a lot of research on everyday harmful chemicals in order to be in the best possible shape for each round, and it’s hard not to carry that slight militancy through into motherhood, especially when baby skin is so vulnerable. Therefore I have found the idea of a natural, organic mattress to be very appealing. It’s hard to say how bothered my son is – he certainly sleeps well on it – but it’s really me who has benefitted from additional peace of mind about allergens."

Read the full Mother&Baby Pure Gold Anti-Allergy Coir Pocket Cot Bed Mattress review

With a dual-sided design and a pocket-sprung core, the SnüzSurface Duo Cot Mattress offers support as your little one transitions into toddlerhood. Simply use the firmer side for babies and change to accommodate their changing needs as they grow.

Designed to withstand leaks, accidents, and spills, this mattress boasts a waterproof surface, ensuring easy cleanup and maintaining a hygienic sleeping environment. The innovative 3D breathable mesh cover helps keep little ones cool in the night, while the anti-dust mite barrier provides added protection. Our mum tester, Samantha found this breathability lived up to the claim, "it's been quite warm recently too, and I've found my daughter doesn't seem as warm when I check on her, and she's not getting clammy when sleeping on her back. I think this is down to the breathability of the mattress, as it has ventilation on the top cover."

Samantha loved the impact it had on her child's sleep quality, saying "Over the last couple of weeks, my daughter has decided that she no longer likes to sleep in her bed and wakes up frequently at night. At first, I presumed she was maybe going through a growth spurt or the room was light due to the brighter mornings and nights, however after using the Snuzpod mattress, I found that she actually slept through and maybe it was the cot mattress that was the issue after all!"

Some testers struggled to find a mattress cover that fit properly, with mum tester Ellie saying, “Excellent quality mattress. Breathable, firm but comfortable seeming. The only issue is, you absolutely cannot get sheets to fit this mattress unless they’re directly bought from Snuz themselves.” It was also annoying that the mattress needed to rest flat for 7 days upon opening before use.

Suitable from birth to 4 years and compliant with safety standards, it offers longevity as well as peace of mind to parents. The removable, machine-washable cover simplifies maintenance, while the 2-year guarantee ensures its durability. "So far, the mattress seems like it will last awhile as I haven't noticed any dents forming from where my daughter sleeps, and it so far also passes the bounce test, and is springing when she jumps on it," Samantha said.

Read the full SnüzSurface Duo Cot Mattress review

If you’re looking for a sustainable and organic mattress, then the Naturalmat Quilted Latex mattress might be just what you’re looking for. Made using organic materials, including coir, lambswool, and latex foam, it provides excellent breathability and softness while being hypoallergenic and anti-dust mite. Our mum tester, Hannah, found it kept her daughter cool on hot nights. "Our daughter has slept very well on the mattress. During the testing period, there were a couple of nights where her bedroom reached 26-27C, so she slept in just a sleeveless vest and nappy and seemed to stay cool enough."

Our mum tester, Emma, found it very comfortable for her son, commenting, “My son Olly had a great night’s sleep on this. It’s a moderately soft mattress which is really comfortable.”

The chemical-free composition makes this mattress a safe choice for your child and also offers added support. Hannah particularly liked that she could tell what the mattress was made from and the thoughtful touches that show it's made in the UK by a small business. "I really enjoyed unpacking this product. Everything felt thoughtfully done, from recyclable and/or compostable packaging materials to easy-to-follow instructions on caring for the mattress and hand-written notes explaining the care/warning labels. I unzipped the outer and inner covers and was impressed with how well-made they felt. I liked that you could see exactly what the mattress is made of."

Parents also loved how durable it is, and liked the peace of mind the five-year guarantee gave them. It's designed to last until your child outgrows it, making it good value for money. 

Read our full Naturalmat Quilted Latex Mattress review.

If space is at a premium, the Babymore Eco Fibre Cot Mattress is ideal for use with a small cot. This compact mattress measures just 100x50cm and is designed for smaller cots such as the Babymore Space Saver Cot. It's an affordable option but boasts some excellent features, including a superior dent-resistant fibre pad, which is supportive as well as offering ventilation for temperature regulation. Our tester, Georgia, tried it out with an older baby and noted that "our friend’s 14-month-old seemed to sleep very well on it at the weekend, and it shows no signs of having been affected by 3 nights of him sleeping in there."

The removable cover has a side zip to allow easy removal for washing and is made from BabyTec fabric, which is specially designed to be water-resistant, fully breathable, wipe-clean and washable at 60 degrees. Our tester, Georgia, found the cover to be of better quality than she had expected for a lower-priced mattress. "I was a bit concerned that the removable cover would be easy to tear, but I’ve given the seams a good tug and scratched at the fabric, which seems more durable than it looks." She does note that this cover is necessary as the mattress below could be pulled apart. "Once you’ve taken the cover off though, the mattress would be really easy to tear apart. It’s just layers of fibre with no other wrapping so you can tease it apart really easily. With a toddler or pet around, I would be concerned that they could do some serious damage to it very quickly if left unsupervised."

The Babymore mattress is British-made, chemical-free and complies with BS EN 16890:2017, BS1877 part 10 for safety and performance and BS7177 (Low Hazard).

Designed to provide optimal support for your baby's developing head and joints, the ClevaMama Clevafoam Support Cot Mattress is made using ClevaFoam®, offering superior protection against Flat Head Syndrome, scientifically proven to reduce pressure on the head by 50% and increase support by 80%.

The mattress is breathable and lightweight, with reduced heat retention, creating a comfortable sleeping environment for your little one. Its hypoallergenic and pH-balanced properties make it suitable for babies with sensitive skin or allergies. 

The removable and machine-washable cover with a reverse zip ensures easy cleaning, while the mattress is tested for harmful substances according to global criteria, meeting OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 standards. This mattress offers a three-year guarantee, providing long-lasting comfort and safety for your baby.

Our mum tester, Melissa, found her baby settled well when transitioning to this mattress. “Since using the Clevafoam mattress, my baby has slept much better, which makes mum's life much more manageable after a full night's sleep. My baby settles quickly and seems less restless in the hot weather than he did with his previous mattress” Melissa said. Its compact delivery box makes it convenient for parents with limited space. 

The main change our parent testers would have liked to see is the addition of a waterproof fabric or cover. Mum tester Melissa commented, “My baby has reflux, so is sick quite often. I did purchase a waterproof sheet, however, though it took a small part of the comfort away with the sheet being thicker than a normal sheet.”

Won Silver at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 for Best Bedding.

Read our full ClevaFoam Support Baby Mattress review.

Designed with a unique hollow core and fully breathable mesh, the Purflo Cot Bed Mattress ensures optimal air circulation, providing a comfortable and safe sleep surface for your baby or child. It is suitable for birth to 4 years (or up to 25kg), conforms to your baby's body, helps prevent flat head syndrome, and promotes healthy sleep patterns.

Certified as fully air-permeable, the Purflo mattress maintains a thermo-neutral environment, helping regulate your baby's temperature for a comfortable sleep experience year-round, even on those hot summer nights. Its removable and washable cover ensures optimum hygiene, preventing the build-up of dust mites and allergens while also extending its lifespan for future use.

Hypoallergenic and featuring specialist fibre padding that is chemical and allergen-free, this is an ideal mattress for babies prone to allergies, asthma, or eczema. Real mum, tester Jen, loved how breathable this mattress was as well as the convenient washable design, commenting, “fully breathable so if the little one decides to roll over I know they will be safe. Washable! Oh, my days, a washable mattress, so very, very handy for those little accidents!” As mum Jen says, unlike traditional foam mattresses, the Purflo mattress can be washed repeatedly, keeping it fresh and pristine for years to come.

The CuddleCo Signature hypo-allergenic bamboo pocket sprung cot bed mattress is made using bamboo fabric which boasts natural hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties, promoting a cleaner and germ-free environment for your little one. It is dual-sided and designed to adapt to your child's needs as they grow. It features a luxurious bamboo fabric on one side and a waterproof training layer on the other. 

Some mum testers loved the comfort and support it offered their little ones, with our mum tester April sharing how her daughter loved this mattress. “This mattress seems really comfy; it’s really soft, springy, and easy to clean. My daughter really liked it; it felt like it contoured to her shape, and she looked so cosy when she was sleeping.” However, some parents worried that it was a bit too soft for babies under six months, with mum tester Alexandra saying, “ I felt confident leaving my little one on it during her daytime naps (when they happen that is!) but before six months old I would worry the mattress is a tad soft."

Parents also loved its reversible and washable cover, making maintenance a breeze. Our mum tester, Olivia, noted, "The cover over the mattress is machine washable and easy to remove using the safety zip feature. This is ideal when those accidents occur, and it needs freshening up. I can confirm this cover refits the mattress easily after washing. I am so pleased with its waterproof layer as this will preserve the mattress for longer."

Won Bronze at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 for Baby Sleep Product.

Read our full CuddleCo Signature hypo-allergenic bamboo pocket sprung cot bed mattress review.

Suitable from birth, this hypoallergenic mattress from Obaby is designed to support your baby's muscle development and bone growth, thanks to its firm yet resilient design. Made with coconut coir bonded with natural latex, it offers a naturally bouncy and soft feel, promoting a comfortable sleep environment for your little one. Parents loved the level of comfort this mattress gave their babies, with one mum tester commenting, “Although there are pocket springs in it, the mattress is also surrounded by foam, so it seems nice and comfy but has that spring and bounce you get with pocket springs to give our daughter that support.” 

As your baby grows, this mattress adapts to their body with a reversible design. One side features individual pocket springs encased in high-grade, dent-resistant nursery foam, offering increased support for your tot's back, neck, and head, aiding their posture and helping them drift off in the process. The other side has a Tencel fabric top panel, helping keep them cool at night, while the polyurethane panel underneath provides waterproof protection against little accidents. Parents found this mattress to be great at keeping their little ones cool; one parent tester commented, “If she naps on my bed, her whole back is wet, but on this mattress-never.” 

This mattress is also very easy to keep clean with its removable and washable covers, including a water-resistant inner cover that can be used as a sleeping surface while the outer cover is being cleaned. Available in two different sizes to fit Obaby's range of cots, cot beds, and mini cot beds, this dual-core mattress is a reliable choice for parents. 

Read the full Obaby Moisture Management Cot Bed Mattress Review

Designed to provide your little one with the perfect balance of comfort and support from birth to toddlerhood, this double-sided Simba Hybrid Cot Bed Mattress is made using Simba’s award-winning technology with eight layers of engineered comfort, ensuring your child gets the quality sleep they need each night.

On one side, a firm, flat surface provides optimal support for newborns, keeping them safe from bacteria, allergens, and chemicals. Then, at 12 months and beyond, simply flip it over for a cushioned, edge-to-edge support suitable for toddlers. This versatile design ensures your child's sleep needs are met as they grow, saving you money in the long run.

As well as loving the seamless transition between each side, our parent testers loved the convenience of the removable, washable cover, particularly if accidents happened. One mum tester said, “With it being a child’s mattress, there are often times they need a thorough clean, and the fact you can easily remove the cover to machine wash it is fab."

Although some parents were put off by the premium price, our parent testers found it really was worth the investment, with one of our mum testers finding her two-year-old son loved this after being moved into his own room. “He has done amazingly well at settling into his own room and I do believe the mattress plays a big part in this. It is such a comfy mattress and perfect for little ones. My son used to regularly wake up, but I’m beginning to question if maybe he just wasn’t as comfy on his previous mattress as he now sleeps so well,” she said.

One of our mum testers, Lucy, found that the mattress was too firm for her son and wondered if it might have been better if she'd used it from home rather than changing to this mattress when her son was a toddler. She noted that "Simba has patented the Aerocoil springs that make up the Toddler side of the cot bed mattress. They are individually pocketed, high carbon steel micro springs and are designed to offer responsive support to your child’s changing, growing shape. In my experience, sadly these were slightly too firm for my son at this stage. It's possible this wouldn't have been the case if we'd used the mattress from birth."

The Simba Baby Cot Bed Mattress was awarded Bronze for Best Sleep Product at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

Read our full Simba Baby Cot Bed Mattress review.