How to Choose the Best Baby Mattress: A Parent’s Complete Buying Guide
Choosing a baby mattress might seem simple — until you realise how many options, materials, and safety standards exist. Since newborns sleep up to 16 hours a day, the right mattress plays a major role in your baby’s comfort, safety, and healthy development.
This guide breaks down exactly what to look for when choosing a baby mattress so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Why Your Baby Mattress Choice Matters
A baby mattress isn’t just about comfort — it’s about safe sleep. The wrong mattress can increase risks associated with poor posture, overheating, and unsafe sleeping environments.
A good baby mattress supports:
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Proper spinal alignment
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Breathable airflow
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Safe sleep positioning
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Hygiene and allergy prevention
Firmness Is Non-Negotiable
Unlike adult mattresses, baby mattresses must be firm.
A firm surface:
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Reduces the risk of suffocation
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Supports developing bones
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Prevents sinking that could restrict breathing
How to Test Firmness:
Press your hand firmly into the mattress. It should bounce back immediately and not leave an imprint.
Check Safety Certifications
Always look for recognised safety standards. Depending on your location, important certifications may include:
BS EN 16890 – Baby Mattress Safety Standard
This is the main UK/European safety standard for cot and crib mattresses. It tests:
- Mechanical hazards, including entrapment, suffocation, and choking risks
- Firmness requirements to prevent suffocation
- Durability to ensure long-term safety
- Hygiene and cleanliness standards
What to look for on the label:
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“BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021”
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Manufacturer test certification documents
Perfect Fit Is Essential
BS EN 716 Safety Standard: There should be no more than a 30mm gap between the mattress and the cot frame. This tight fit is necessary to prevent the baby from becoming trapped in any gaps, which could lead to suffocation or other injuries.
How to Measure Safely:
- Take a tape measure and check the length and width of the mattress at multiple places
- Measure both your cot’s internal dimensions precisely
- Ensure the mattress fits with gaps no larger than 30mm (3cm)
- Test fit by trying to insert more than two fingers between the mattress and the frame – if you can, the gap is too large
Safety Alert: Which? Research found that 24% of second-hand mattresses had dangerous gaps between the mattress and cot bed frame, representing a serious entrapment hazard.
Thickness and Depth Standards
Safety Requirement: UK safety experts recommend that baby mattresses should be between 8-10cm thick. BS EN 716 requires that mattresses don’t exceed 10cm in depth so the baby can’t climb out of the cot.
Waterproof Protection Requirements
Essential Feature: Use a mattress with a waterproof cover. This will help keep the mattress clean and dry because you can wipe the cover. Look for removable, machine-washable covers that can be cleaned at 60°C to eliminate dust mites and bacteria.
Budget vs Quality
You don’t need the most expensive mattress — but avoid the cheapest options with unknown materials.
Focus on:
✔ Safety
✔ Breathability
✔ Certifications
✔ Warranty
A quality mattress should last through baby and toddler stages.
Below is a little step by step round up check list:
Step 1: Verify Safety Standards
- ✅ Confirm BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021 compliance
- ✅ Look for British Standard certification marks
- ✅ Verify it’s designed specifically for babies (not toddler/child mattresses)
Step 2: Test Firmness Requirements
- ✅ Perform professional hand-press test (no indentation should remain)
- ✅ Ensure the head would sink no more than a few millimetres
- ✅ Check edges are as firm as the centre
Step 3: Measure for Perfect Fit
- ✅ Take a tape measure and check the length and width at multiple places
- ✅ Ensure the mattress fits with a maximum of 30mm gaps
- ✅ Test that you cannot fit more than two fingers in the gaps
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