Five Important Things To Consider When Buying A Travel Cot Mattress

Travel cots or travel cribs as they are sometimes called, are popular portable travel beds, that allow you to take your newborn with you, in a safe and secure enclosure. Your travel crib and travel cot mattress are two of the most important pieces of equipment for your baby and choosing the right one for your child is essential for peace of mind that your little one is comfortable and safe when you are out shopping, at the park, with the family on the beach, or wherever it is that you choose to venture.

If you are shopping for a travel cot, then it may have crossed your mind at some stage that you might need an accommodating mattress to go with it. The standard cot bed mattress may not sound like the most attractive choice when you are shopping for a new one, but given that your newborn can sleep for up to two-thirds of the day, it is vital that their comfort is considered in these vital early years. Here are some pointers on choosing a travel cot mattress and cot bedding for when you are out on the go.

Do You Need A Mattress?

The one thing in common with beds, cribs and cradles is that they all need a mattress to accompany them before your baby can rest. Your baby will spend so much time sleeping in their cot that it is crucial that your mattress is safe and soft and comfortable in order not to irritate or disrupt your child from their sleep. You should also consider the impact of allergens such as dust, wool and others.

Choosing The Best Mattress Materials

The materials of the travel cot mattress and cot bedding should be considered carefully. There is some concern over the longer term effects of PVC mattresses and those that use wool or a latex foam mattress for cribs as these can sometimes be highly allergenic for your child or cause them to have difficulty breathing when they sleep. Even a mild allergy is problematic, because it can affect your baby’s ability to achieve a sound sleep, resulting in a cranky baby who is not happy. To prevent associated problems, you should avoid these materials wherever possible. You should ensure that the material that is used is soft, comfortable and of good quality. Your baby will spend a lot of time sleeping on the mattress and crib bedding that you purchase, which makes choosing carefully important.

Choosing The Design

Baby boy crib bedding for travel cots is usually no different from baby girl bedding, with the exception of color and design. For many people, choosing a matching design for travel cot bedding is not vital, that said there are some very attractive designs to choose from if one wishes to look the part while on the move.

Finding The Right Shaped Mattress

The traditional style cribs and bassinets were simple in design and usually rectangular. Parents now have the option of choosing from a multitude of shapes and design, which can often have the undesirable effect that the right cot bed bedding mattress is difficult to find. To accommodate this need, there are mattresses available, for all different types of cots cribs and beds on the internet. If your travel cot is an unusual shape, then it may take a while to find what you’re looking for, but rest assured it is out there.

Finding A Mattress That Is The Right Size

Ensuring that the mattress that you purchase is the right size is another important factor to address. There are standard crib mattress sizes, but you should do due diligence and check for yourself that the travel mattress you are purchasing is a good match with the size of your travel cot, by measuring. If your mattress is too large, then it may not squeeze in comfortable, or even at all, whereas if it is too small, then you’ll likely find that your baby is sliding between the mattress and the side of the travel cot. This can be uncomfortable for your baby and even dangerous. Generally portable travel cribs are slightly smaller than standard size cribs and therefore require a baby cot mattress that is designed specifically for travel cots.

Considering Dust Covers

Dust covers are comfortable and protect against dust forming on the mattress. It can easily be removed after your trip and cleaning is quick and painless. The small extra effort will protect your child against dust and dust mites, which are two of the most common and worrying allergens. Excess dust can disrupt your baby’s breathing and sleeping patterns, which makes taking this step a smart one.

Travel cots can be great ways to move about, while keeping your newborn with you. They are generally inexpensive as well as safe and secure enough that they are a viable solution for any new parent. With modern cot designs and shapes, choosing a travel cot mattress and crib bedding can be problematic. However there are many great options if you shop around and take the time to select the right cot mattress for the travel crib that you are using.