At a glance:
Our panel of mum testers loved this mattress was made from 100% natural materials and that it can be flipped when your baby is 18-months-old and needs a different level of support. It might be expensive, but it is an amazing, high-quality mattress that will prove it’s worth the price tag.
What they say:
“Luxury from nature, comfort from technology. With 1,022 miniature BabySprings® and sumptuous filling blends of mohair, Herdwick wool and home-grown Yorkshire hemp, this cot mattress ensures perfect postural support for your little one.”
Tested by mum Louise Traynor for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this product to friends or fellow mums. It is made from completely natural materials, which I feel is a huge plus, as many mums are extremely cautious about exposing their children to harmful elements. The way the product is designed is also great. The materials are layered within the mattress in a way that ensures exceptional support and comfort for your baby. I also loved the little sheep on one side and larger sheep on the other, which indicate which side to use (as they are layered differently, depending on what stage your child is at).
How did the product make your life easier?
This product makes my life easier as a mum for a number of reasons. Firstly, I don’t need to worry whether my baby is comfortable in her bed. This mattress gently changes and adapts to my baby’s sleeping position. She gets a good night sleep and so do I, which makes my life a lot easier! Secondly, the fact that this product is made using only natural materials means I don’t need to worry about whether my daughter is being exposed to synthetic materials, which could be harmful. Less worrying make my life as a mum a whole lot easier.
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes, I would choose this product above others. I love the fact that this product is made from 100% natural elements. The product is chemical free, while many others on the market aren’t. The product is dual sided, which is great, as you just flip it over when it’s time for your little one to move onto a different level of support. It comes with a five-year guarantee, which is roughly the lifespan of the mattress, so it is covered for the whole time that you will be using it, which is very useful. It‘s great value for money, and I would definitely choose this product again in the future. I think this should win in its category, as there are no other products on the market that offer anything close to what this one does.
What changes would you make to the product?
Honestly, there is absolutely nothing I would change about this product. I loved absolutely everything about it - from the way it’s designed, the materials used to make it to the story behind the product.
Tested by mum Deborah Taylor for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would highly recommend this mattress to anyone that needs a cot, or a toddler bed. The mattress has two designs; one side of the mattress has small sheep printed on the side, which you can use from birth to eighteen months, and has a firmer surface. The other side has larger sheep on the side, and is suitable from eighteen months to five years, and it has a softer, more responsive surface. I loved this idea, and my daughter found the mattress to be very comfortable. She often tries to climb into her cot to go for a nap, and I think a lot of that has to do with the mattress, as she doesn’t now seem to be comfortable sleeping anywhere else.
How did this product make your life easier?
I loved this mattress from the moment we opened it. It felt lovely and sturdy, unlike the more flimsy one my daughter was using beforehand. It looked and felt luxurious. My daughter has always been a good sleeper and this, thankfully, didn’t change, even with a new mattress. If anything, she slept a little longer than normal!
Would you choose this product to win?
I would most certainly choose this product over any others on the market. The mattress is made from a fantastic selection of materials, and the design has been very carefully thought out. There is a very luxurious feel to this mattress. The mattress that my daughter was using before the NaturalStart No. 2 wasn’t the cheapest model, but it never felt very sturdy, and flopped over on its side when stood up against anything. The Natural Start No.2 mattress didn’t do this once, as it was a lot firmer.
What changes would you make to this product?
I honestly don’t think I would change anything about this product, as I really do think it was great value for money. Yes, it is slightly on the expensive side, however, it is worth every penny if your child is going to get a decent night’s sleep as a result. I feel that for everything you get, the price tag fits the product perfectly.
Tested by mum Amy Turton for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I think this mattress is good for supporting baby, and it seems to be quite comfortable too, as my little boy is pretty content with it. As a parent, my child's comfort and safety is obviously a very high priority, and that is why I would recommend this product to others without hesitation.
How did this product make your life easier?
The mattress seems sturdy, yet comfortable enough to help support my little boy whilst he's in his cot. It puts my mind at ease to know that he's safe and cosy while he sleeps, and he does seem to be able to sleep pretty well when he's in his cot. The quality of the mattress seems to be pretty good too.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would like to think so, as it does seem to be a mattress of good quality, but there are other mattresses available (some of which I believe are cheaper than this particular one) and I obviously don't know the quality of those mattresses. More money doesn't always mean better value, but based on my experience with this one, I would say that this is probably the mattress I'd pick.
What changes would you make to this product?
There isn't really anything in particular I would change about this mattress. As I've said, you can get cheaper ones, but I don't think the price is something that can necessarily be changed. If people wanted this particular brand or quality of mattress, or any other product, then they'd quite willingly pay for it regardless of cost.
Tested by mum Julie Thomas-Smith for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I love the idea behind this mattress, and think the fact that it can be turned over and continue to be used until my daughter turns five is a real winner. My daughter has a lot of allergies, so the hypoallergenic nature of this product really is important to me. A lot of money is generally spent on cots, with little consideration for the mattress that is put into it, which, after all, is actually what our babies sleep on!
How did this product make your life easier?
The sheep (big on one side and little on the other) make it easy to ensure that the right side of the mattress is used at the right age. I have a two and a half-year old and a ten-month-old, and we decided to give it to our ten-month-old to test since, she will get the most use out of it overall, and because she still wakes in the night. I didn’t find that she suddenly slept through like I have seen claimed by other people who used the mattress, but since using it, she is much more peaceful in the cot, and seems to stay asleep whilst moving around, whereas before she would wake up the minute she needed to move.
Would you choose this product to win?
Definitely. A lot of money is generally spent on cots, with little consideration for the mattress that is put into it, which after all is actually what our babies sleep on! So I was quite taken aback by the fact that there are two sides to this mattress, because babies up to eighteen months have different spinal requirements with regards to support while sleeping, compared to children over the age of eighteen months, and this has really made me realise that the aesthetic look of a cot vs. the actual benefits of a really good mattress mean that as mums, we should be looking for mattresses which support our children’s growing bodies over and above choosing a cot which looks nice.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would make it a little cheaper, but to be honest, because it lasts for five years and has a guarantee for that length of time, and is such a unique and high quality product, I do think it is good value for money. I think the price will put some people off, and I do feel that a lot of mum's focus on the look of a cot over the benefits of a good mattress, and for those people, the price may be a sticking point.
Tested by mum Erin Thornton for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
This mattress is fabulous, because it is designed to last for a number of years and grows with your child. The mattress can be flipped over once your baby is a bit older for some more support. It is so well made that I am jealous that I can’t sleep on it! As it is made with such good quality materials, it does make it rather heavy to turn around, especially when leaning into a cot on the lowest level.
How did this product make your life easier?
This mattress is so well made and comfortable for my baby to sleep on. I have no concerns about her waking at night due to her sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress. Although we haven’t needed to test it, the mattress came with a mattress protector, which gave me added confidence that the mattress would be protected in case of an accident.
Would you choose this product to win?
I definitely think this product should win. It is a beautifully crafted mattress that will last for years to come. Her original cot bed mattress cost £50, and you could tell! This mattress is comfortable, hygienic, and so, so well made. No one thing makes this stand out, because it is the whole package, and I couldn't recommend it enough!
What changes would you make to this product?
It is a bit pricey, but you do get what you pay for! Comparing a £50 mattress to a £249 mattress; the difference is incredible! Quality does outweigh cost. It is a bit heavy when heaving it around, but apart from that, there is nothing I would change.
Tested by mum Lyndsay Ashton for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I really liked that the mattress is made from natural products and is manufactured in the UK. I think the five year guarantee is brilliant considering that really it is for the lifetime of the product as it suggests it can be used from birth to age five. My baby slept soundly for the first time since birth and looked comfortable. I tried the mattress myself before I put my baby on it and found it extremely comfortable and supportive. The protector was really easy to put on. No stretching yourself 10 ways to try and get it to fit all four corners! The quality of the protector is very good. It looks and feels just like a fitted sheet would. I also really liked the images of the big and small sheep to show which side you should use for the age of your baby.
How did this product make your life easier?
My baby has slept much better since we started using this product. The mattress is allergen free so prevents bacteria, mites etc and the fibres are all natural. As she suffers from allergies including significant eczema I am very happy for her to be sleeping on something that prevents dust mites and has not been manufactured using harsh chemicals.
Would you choose this product to win?
It is at the higher end of the price scale but I think it is worth it when taking in to consideration the natural products, manufactured in the UK and a five year guarantee. Overall I love the product, would definitely recommend it and would consider purchasing for any additional babies I may have.
What changes would you make to this product?
I used the mattress in the Mamas and Papas ocean cot bed which is the same cot as the one used in the brochure so was a little disappointed that there is a significant gap (lengthways) between the end of the mattress and the top of the cot. We've lost a few dummies! I also think that a removable zip on waterproof cover would make the product even better.
Tested by mum Victoria Borner for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
This is a beautiful product that has clearly been designed and made very well. It is extremely comfortable for baby at the same time as being sturdy and supportive. The mattress is designed for postural support all over and is certainly worth the investment to ensure a good and comfortable nights sleep for your baby. Because the mattress is dual-sided; it is supportive for children up to 5 years of age which is another thing to consider when paying a lot of money for a product. Look for the little sheep on the 0-18 month side and the bigger sheep for the 18 month to 5 year side.
How did this product make your life easier?
My baby sleeps very well on this mattress. He is currently napping on it and seems to be moving around a lot less. The mattress protector is fantastic. It is waterproof and doesn't have that horrible plastic feeling that lots of other waterproof covers have. The material of soft and comfortable. The mattress is suitable for children up to 5 years of age because of the different levels of postural support on each side. a product that grows with your child. The mattress comes with care instructions which are very clear and easy to follow. Product has a 5 year guarantee which covers the mattress if there is a problem.
Would you choose this product to win?
This mattress feels well made and supportive. This is very important to me as a mum. I want my baby to be as comfortable and supported as possible so that he sleeps as much as he needs to. The price is a little higher than I would have paid myself but you can tell that you are paying for good quality. The 5 year guarantee is an added bonus too. I think it is important to buy and use the mattress protector with it as the outer cover of the mattress cannot be removed or washed. If a product is going to promote a good nights sleep... A parent will pay a little more!
What changes would you make to this product?
It would be useful to have a cover that was zippable and removable for washing all though this may hinder the supportive nature of the product. The price is quite high but, again, you are paying for a well designed product made from good quality materials. There are no further improvements that I feel could be made. I am so happy to have recieved this product to test. It is comfortable; good quality and promotes a good and comfortable nights sleep for my baby. A good and important investment to make on behalf of your baby.
Tested by mum Gillian Anderson for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend this product to a fellow mum because it is of such a high quality I can see this wearing really well. It was much thicker than our old cot bed mattress and of a far higher quality. The fact that it is all natural and environmentally friendly is a huge bonus. Charlie slept so well on this mattress and stayed asleep all night.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product made my life easier as a mum as it gave me peace of mind knowing that this was the best quality mattress for my little boy and it was all made in the uk and supported a uk company rather than the normal "made in China ". It also would save money as it is dual sided meaning you get far longer out of the mattress once the baby has outgrown one side you simply flip it over and use the softer side.
Would you choose this product to win?
I would choose this product above all others as I believe that this is the best mattress you can buy at the moment. It has a five year guarantee so it would be covered the whole time it is in use. The mattress is dual sided meaning it offers your baby the best support for his head and body then when he gets older you turn it over for a responsive surface for children.
What changes would you make to this product?
If I could change one thing about this product it would be the price. I agree that it is of a very high quality and you get what you pay for but for my older child I spent a fraction of the price of this mattress and it lasted just as long until she outgrew it. This is the only fault I can find with this product.