This information is extremely general and you should always seek meidcal advice about the best beds, cots and mattresses for any baby or young child.

Baby mattresses

Orthopedic baby beds, mattresses and cots are made specifically for babies and young children and have specific features for small bodies. You should research all bedding options for babies and children very carefully as poor selections can endanger a child's health and even its life. Always seek medical or specialist advice.

Baby beds come in rectangular, oval, and round shapes and are usually small and deep with a thick soft mattresses. The mattress should never be too soft as this can become hazardous. You should also ensure that the baby mattress does not give off any chemicals. Some chemicals are not always recognisable by an odour, so your sense of smell alone is not an adequte test.

Baby beds can be made of wood, plastic, or iron and are smaller than standard single beds. This prevents the child from feeling overwhelmed by the increase in bed size when moving up to a regular single sized bed unit.

Mattress and bedding materials also need to be selected carefully to ensure that there is no potential for suffocation, the breathing in of dangerous fumes, or the possibility of strangulation from loose or badly fitting bedding.

A mattress should be both firm and large enough so that it can adequately supports the growing body of a young child through its early development. The mattress should have a non-allergenic cover and ideally be made from a waterproof material, or have a water proof detachable cover.

Consult a child expert, or medical professional before deciding on the best cot, mattress or baby bed for your child.