Should I buy a sprung or foam cot mattress?
Short answer: Both can be safe if they are firm, flat, waterproof-covered and fit with no gaps. Choose by budget, weight and how you want to clean it.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Measure the inside of the cot. The mattress should fit with no gaps.
- Choose firm, flat and waterproof. Your baby's head should sink no more than a few millimetres.
- Check for a fire-resistant label and the relevant British Standard.
What the guidance says
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition, with no raised or cushioned edges, that fits the cot or Moses basket with no gaps.
- The Lullaby Trust says your baby's head should sink no more than a few millimetres into the mattress.
- Mattresses: look for BS 7177:2008+A1:2011, and BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021 for cot, travel cot and crib mattresses.
Related questions
What is a cot mattress?
A firm, flat mattress for a standard cot, usually 120 x 60cm.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
Browse cot mattresses 120 x 60
- Obaby Foam Cot Mattress 120 x 60 cm
- Tutti Bambini Eco Fibre Cot Mattress (60 x 120 cm)
- Obaby Moisture Management Mattress -120x60cm
- Tutti Bambini Natural Coir Fibre Cot Mattress (60 x 120 cm)
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
How long can you use a cot bed mattress?Can my baby sleep face down on a breathable mattress?Cot mattress buying checklistIs there a mattress or device that prevents SIDS?Is a Moses basket mattress right for you? Quick quizBaby mattress sizes explainedAll cot and baby mattresses advice →
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.