Types of ISA accounts in the UK
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Discover the main types of ISA accounts in the UK, including Cash, Stocks and Shares, Lifetime, Junior, and Innovative Finance ISAs. Learn about allowances, tax benefits, and the best ISA…
The right cot mattress is firm, flat, waterproof and a snug fit for the cot. It should not have gaps around the edges, soft sections, cushioned sides, raised edges, sagging, rips or tears. Start by measuring the cot’s internal dimensions, then match the mattress to those measurements before comparing foam, pocket springs, covers or prices.
The Lullaby Trust’s safer-sleep guidance recommends a firm, flat mattress with a waterproof cover. NHS guidance also says the mattress should be clean, dry, waterproof, free from damage and labelled as fire-resistant. These requirements matter more than a product’s marketing description or retailer category.
Cot mattress size is determined by the cot’s internal length and width, not by the name used on a product page. A mattress must fit closely, with no space around the edges where a baby’s head could become trapped. Measure the inside of the cot base and check the mattress manufacturer’s stated dimensions before ordering.
The two clearly documented sizes in IKEA UK’s cot-mattress range are 60 x 120 cm and 70 x 140 cm. The listed mattresses range from 6 cm to 11 cm thick. These dimensions are useful reference points, but the same nominal size should not automatically be assumed to fit every cot. Check the individual cot and mattress measurements.
A 60 x 120 cm mattress is the smaller of the two documented IKEA formats, while 70 x 140 cm is the larger cot-bed format. Choose between them only after checking the cot’s internal dimensions and any restrictions on mattress thickness.
| Mattress | Size | Construction | Listed price | Most suitable shortlist use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PELLEPLUTT | 60 x 120 x 6 cm | Foam | £25 | Lowest-priced documented 60 x 120 cm option |
| KRUMMELUR | 60 x 120 x 8 cm | Foam | £49 | 60 x 120 cm option with a different listed thickness |
| SKÖNAST | 60 x 120 x 10 cm | Foam | £59 | Thicker documented 60 x 120 cm option |
| SKÖNAST | 70 x 140 x 10 cm | Foam | £79 | 70 x 140 cm foam option with a washable cover |
| JÄTTETRÖTT | 70 x 140 x 11 cm | Pocket spring | £89 | 70 x 140 cm pocket-spring option |
The prices and specifications in this table are listed by IKEA UK’s cot-mattress range. IKEA describes the 70 x 140 x 10 cm SKÖNAST as a firm, high-resilience foam mattress with a washable cover; its product page lists it at £79.
These five options are a practical shortlist rather than a claim that one mattress is universally best. The choice depends first on the cot size and then on the features shown in the table.
Do not choose solely because a listing says “cot bed”, “IKEA cot mattress”, “Argos cot mattress” or “Mamas & Papas cot mattress”. The decisive checks are the actual dimensions, the snug fit, firmness, flatness, waterproofing and condition.
Both foam and pocket-spring construction appear in the documented IKEA options. The safe choice is not decided by construction alone: the mattress must still be firm, flat, undamaged, waterproof and correctly fitted.
Foam is represented by PELLEPLUTT, KRUMMELUR and SKÖNAST in the listed options. JÄTTETRÖTT is the documented pocket-spring option. Compare the stated size and safety-related features rather than treating foam or springs as an automatic guarantee of comfort or suitability.
For mattresses used in cots, travel cots and cribs, the Lullaby Trust lists BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021. It also lists BS 7177:2008+A1:2011 for mattresses. Check the product information for the relevant fire-resistant label and standards information.
A waterproof cover is a core buying requirement because it helps keep the mattress clean and wipeable. The Lullaby Trust recommends using a waterproof mattress protector. You can also compare mattresses by whether the supplied cover is washable; IKEA describes the 70 x 140 cm SKÖNAST cover as washable.
Before use, inspect the mattress for rips, tears, water damage and sagging. Keep the sleep surface flat and do not add soft layers underneath the baby. For a separate protector, see this guide to waterproof mattress protectors.
A travel cot mattress must fit with no gaps when the cot is both in use and, where relevant, folded for storage. Travel-cot mattresses are often thinner and feel harder than mattresses in permanent cots. The Lullaby Trust says folded blankets or quilts should not be placed underneath a baby to soften the mattress.
Before buying a replacement, check three things:
Read the MadeForMums travel-cot buying guidance for the recommendation to check the mattress both folded out and folded up. A travel cot’s original mattress should not be replaced with a thicker product unless the manufacturer’s instructions allow it and the fit remains safe.
For more travel-specific buying help, use this guide to the best travel cot mattresses.
A new mattress is the preferred choice when using a previously owned cot or borrowing one. NHS guidance says parents should ideally buy a new mattress in that situation.
If you are considering a second-hand mattress, reject it if it has rips, tears, water damage or sagging. It must fit without gaps and carry a fire-resistant label. Do not rely on a clean-looking cover to conceal damage or deterioration inside the mattress.
Place the baby on their back in a clear cot. Keep toys, cot bumpers and loose bedding out of the sleep space. The NHS says pillows and duvets are not safe for babies under one year because of the risk of suffocation. The NHS also recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months.
No product can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and the Lullaby Trust advises caution with products making that claim. A mattress should therefore be selected for its fit, firmness, flatness, waterproofing and condition rather than a promise of risk reduction.
The best cot mattress is firm, flat, waterproof and a snug fit, with no gaps, soft areas, sagging or raised edges. Check the cot’s internal dimensions and the mattress’s actual measurements before buying.
No. A mattress must match the cot’s internal dimensions and fit without gaps. Even when two products use the same nominal size, check the manufacturer’s measurements and any mattress-thickness requirements.
There is no authoritative basis for naming one universally most comfortable cot mattress. Safety comes first: choose a firm, flat mattress with a waterproof cover. Travel-cot mattresses are often thinner and harder than mattresses for permanent cots.
There is no separate age-specific mattress type identified for a two-year-old in the available NHS and Lullaby Trust guidance. Choose a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress with a waterproof cover. If the cot converts into a cot bed, the mattress must still match the specified size and fit.
