Are you using an unsafe cot mattress for your baby?

Our tough tests for cot mattresses put the products through their paces, ensuring they are supportive, durable and safe for your little one to use.

We've tested and reviewed 48 cot mattresses and found safety issues in more than a quarter of them.

Here, we highlight

the typical failures we see in our cot mattress testing that leads them to be Don't Buys, and explain why they can be dangerous.

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Not firm enough

We test the firmness of each mattress to ensure it doesn't pose a suffocation risk. We also check that labels and decals can't be detached or loosened, and that a child cannot accidentally access the inner materials of a mattress.

Having a firm mattress reduces the risk of suffocation if your baby rolls onto their face. This is mostly a concern between four and 12 weeks, when rolling over typically begins. 

Keep in mind that babies might not master rolling from front to back until around six months. 

Another important point to remember is that mattresses aren't just used for sleeping – you need one that can stay firm with the added wear and tear of bouncing, playing and bedtime story sessions.

Best cot mattresses: see which ones impressed the most in our rigorous lab tests, how the different types compare and where to buy them

Choking hazards

It's important to be wary of choking hazards on cot mattresses. 

Any part that can be gripped by tiny fingers and is small enough to be potentially swallowed poses a choking risk, so we test to ensure nothing can easily detach or break away from the mattress.

One concern you should keep an eye out for is loose or damaged zippers that could become detached and be ingested by your little one. 

Regularly inspect the mattress for any signs of wear and tear to ensure your baby's safety during sleep.

For more essential safe sleeping tips read our guide to cot mattress and baby bedding safety

Cover shrinkage

We measure cot mattress dimensions to ensure they fit snug and flat in the cot beds they're made for. This is to ensure that there is never any gap larger 3cm between the mattress edge and cot bed that could lead to a child trapping a limb and injuring themselves.

Shrinking cot mattress covers may pose a risk to your baby's safety. If a cover shrinks in the wash, there's a chance it could compress the mattress, causing it to no longer fit snugly within the cot bed. 

If a baby gets stuck in the gap, particularly in a face-down position, there's a heightened risk of suffocation. 

Regularly check the mattress cover for any signs of shrinkage to reduce the chance of this happening.

Check out our Don't Buy cot mattresses so you know which ones to avoid

How we test cot mattresses

We test cot mattresses to the latest EU standards that ensure all-round safety for your baby. 

Support and firmness tests are for preventing suffocation risks, especially as babies transition in their sleep patterns. 

Our durability tests simulate years of use to see if mattresses stay safe and supportive. Moisture level and airflow tests are key for hygiene and comfort. 

We also look at washability, to make sure the mattress can be kept clean and safe.

Find out more about our rigorous testing by reading our guide to how we test cot mattresses