Why Don't Travel Cots Come With a Mattress?

Why do I have to buy a new mattress when I buy a travel cot? Why don't they come with a mattress?

Right, let's go through this step by step.

Why No Mattress Is Included

A travel cot has soft sides - a netting system all the way round. If you put a mattress in there, you create a trap or gap between the mattress and the soft side of the travel cot.

A travel cot wouldn't pass British Standards if it came with a mattress, so the base is padded instead.

The padded base won't be acceptable to you as a parent because it feels like a brick - you're not going to put your baby to sleep on that hard, unwelcoming surface.

By buying a mattress separately, you take the risk - not the manufacturer.

What to Look For

Depth - Keep It Shallow!

The mattress you choose will always leave a gap, but don't get it too deep. The deeper the mattress, the bigger the height of the gap. 5cm is the maximum.

WARNING: There are 10cm travel cot mattresses on offer. DO NOT go anywhere near them - THEY ARE A TRAP!

Your child can pull themselves up, bounce on the mattress, get a foot stuck, fall over - possible ankle damage - or roll over against the soft side of the cot where there's a 10cm deep drop.

Material

Look for good-quality foam that's firm but has good recovery. You must have waterproof protection - you don't want urine on the foam. Best if you can find a mattress that has the waterproof protection under the cover and over the foam base, so you don't impede the breathability.

What to Avoid

Coir and wool: No good, because if you have a travel cot, you need a mattress that rolls up when travelling. Coir won't fold - it will splinter and tear.

Fibre: Poor choice. 5cm of fibre won't give the support or comfort you need, but it's cheap and there's plenty of it on sale.

Two-piece mattresses: Also avoid travel cot mattresses made of two pieces of foam - your child will always find the gap to sleep in! :)