Selecting the ideal cot or crib for your baby can feel like a daunting task. With various frames, styles, and sizes available, determining which sleeping option provides the best combination of comfort, safety, and suitability for your child’s needs can be challenging. In this guide, we explore the various cot mattress sizes and offer tips to help you choose the perfect fit for your family.
In Singapore, standard cot mattress sizes are not universally defined, leading to variations among manufacturers and retailers. However, a commonly found cot mattress size is approximately 60 cm in width and 120 cm in length.
Different Types of Cots
• Convertible cots
Convertible cribs are a highly practical choice for Singaporean households, where space constraints make multifunctional furniture a necessity. These cribs are designed to grow with your child, transitioning from a baby cot to a toddler bed, and in some cases, even into a daybed or full-sized bed. This versatility ensures the crib remains useful for years, preventing it from becoming an unused ·white elephant” in your home once your baby outgrows it. By investing in a convertible crib, you save both space and money, making it an ideal solution for compact living spaces.
• Travel Cots
Travel cots are lightweight, portable sleeping solutions designed for newborns and infants. They typically feature mesh walls and a padded frame and can be folded into a compact carry bag. These cots often include convenient add-ons, such as a changing table or a rocker.
• Bassinets
Bassinets are smaller than standard cots and are popular for infants up to six months old. They are often used for daytime naps or placed next to your bed at night. Bedside sleepers are specifically designed to sit beside your bed, with a side wall that can be unzipped or removed for easy access during nighttime.
• Oval- Shaped Cots
Oval-shaped cots offer a unique design, often allowing for multiple
configurations, such as a playpen or seating area. These cots usually come with their own custom-made mattresses to fit their distinctive frame.
Unlike traditional rectangular cots, oval-shaped mattresses do not have standard dimensions, as sizes vary between manufacturers.
How to choose the right cot mattress
In addition to the size of the cot mattress, choosing the right one for your baby involves considering factors such as safety, comfort, future requirements, and health considerations.
Firmness and safety
While adults often choose between firm, medium, and soft comfort levels for mattresses, babies require a firm surface for sleeping. A soft mattress can present significant risks to infants, including obstructed breathing if they roll over and their face rests on a soft, loose, or pillowy surface. Soft mattresses have been associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other fatal sleeping accidents. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the mattress is firm, whether made from foam or springs.
Ensuring the safety of your baby’s sleeping environment is paramount. In Singapore, baby cots are regulated under the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations (CGSR), overseen by Enterprise Singapore’s Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO).
Spring VS Foam Cot Mattress
Cot mattresses can feature pocket springs and innerspring units or be entirely made of foam.
Spring mattresses are generally more durable and provide better orthopaedic support as they adapt to the pressure applied to the surface. This makes them a sturdy and long-lasting option. For more insights, explore our article comparing spring and foam mattresses.
Foam mattresses, on the other hand, are lighter and thinner, offering greater versatility for various types of cots. Many foam options are reversible, allowing use on both sides, and they tend to be less bouncy overall.
Cover and Fabrics
Another important factor to consider is the quality and texture of the mattress. The outer layer may be quilted or flat and made from materials such as cotton, polyester, bamboo, latex, or a fiber blend. It is essential to check if your child has any allergies or sensitivities to the materials used, both in the mattress core and its cover.
Additionally, some mattresses come with a removable, washable cover made of the same or different material. If a cover is not included, consider investing in a mattress protector to guard against stains and wear. Babies are prone to leaks so a waterproof protector is recommended for children’s beds.
Future Needs
Before you buy your cot mattress, it may be helpful to ask whether it will be used again for another child or passed along to a new owner. If not, you may prefer a sleeping solution that offers flexibility for future needs. Consider the mattress’s age, height or weight limit and whether it is right for your child and family. For instance, many bassinets are only recommended for the first few months of life, while standard-size cot mattresses are useful for several years. In fact, many cots and cribs are designed to be convertible, easily adapted to a toddler or child’s bed when needed.
