Cot Mattress Safety

Here is a simple guide to ensure you have the safest cot mattress whether it  made of foam and springs or natural with coir and lambswool 

Here are the  main points to look for 

1) Base 

This needs to be firm and flat and supportive, comfortable, and durable.

A  foam mattress supported by springs (pocket or bonnell) will have a foam layer which can only be 2 cm deep either side of the springs.

2 cm foam top and bottom and 6 cm springs total 10 cm that is the British Standard.

 2 cm is a very thin layer and If this foam is not of a high grade dents and dips could appear just after a few months usage.

 Basic nursery foam as a product will loose its strength if it is subjected to heat weight and damp and ironically that is exactly what a baby is! 

For the foam to last several years without denting or dipping it has to cope with the pressure of the baby above and the springs beneath.  To achieve this the foam should be of a quality between 33 and 50 CMHR

Your mattress should be  turned frequently.  All foam mattresses need to be turned more often than those with pocket springs. Pocket sprung mattress will offer more comfort support and durability.. 

 Keep this in mind when you read  the next chapter about covers.

Here are  more details on the construction of foam 
https://www.cotmattresscompany.com/pages/blue-top-foam

 

Coir and Lambswool Base

These mattress are made form natural sustainable components coir and wool.

The coir  needs to be a minimum  of 60 - 80% density then it will have a high tensile strength and be naturally springy. 

One downside is although parents know that the mattress should be firm and flat some feel that the coir is too firm "feels like a brick"!

Putting a double layer of lambswool  2 cm on both  side solves this problem, It does not reduce the firmness but makes the initial lie more welcoming 

 

2) Waterproof Protection

You have a choice where the waterproof easy-wipe-clean protection layer goes:- either over the cover or under it.

 If you fit the waterproof protection over the cover, when you get the untimely accident you remove the sheet and wipe down the cover with an disinfection fluid like Milton, replace with a clean sheet and good to go

The downside of this system  is this waterproof sheet if it is wipe clean will not afford any breathability to your baby or help with temperature control and will not reduce overheating.

If you fit the waterproof protection under the cover then you can have a cover full of air and that will offer temperature control, such as Coolmax® backed with Maxispace.

When the inevitable accident occurs remove the sheet and cover and wipe the protective  layer with Milton or similar and fit a clean cover or topper, the downside of this system is you need to have a spare cover or topper (one for the wash)

Natural Mattress Cover
If you are buying a natural mattress because you do not want foam or anything that is not a natural product then you are asking for the impossible!

Easy enough to make a natural base but when it coves to the covers  you need a degree or waterproof protection which you cannot get from a  natural cotton fabric.

There is a fabric called "Outlux" that is 93% cotton but has a have PU membrane in the middle  (7%)  to make the fabric waterproof. because the PU amount is so small it can be regarded as a natural fabric.
 
N.B there is an advantage in putting the Easychange  Coolmax© and Maxispace system over the natural coir and lambswool base as you get full waterproof protection, full breathability and temperature control. but the downside is it is not natural,

You cant have everything in a cot mattress cover -- Total breathability and natural and fully waterproof does not exist!

 

Here is the Easychange System

 

 

 A video to show you the advantages of the Easychange