How to choose your Cot Mattress?

How to choose your Cot Mattress?

For everyone who had a fussy baby, you know it’s usually one of a few things. Hunger is probably the first thing you think of when a baby cry. They need to a nappy change, or they are tired, and they need to sleep. Tiredness is what we will discuss in this blog post.

A Newborn baby typically sleeps between 16 to 17 hours a day split into intervals of 2 – 4 hours at a time, its integral to a baby’s happiness. So, you’ll want a mattress that creates a safe and comfortable environment for your baby. Here’s how to choose the best mattress for your child.

Firmness

Always look for a firm and flat cot mattress.

When it comes to cot mattresses, the firmer the better. Too soft of a surface can conform to a baby shape, creating a suffocation or SIDS hazard, so even if it feels extremely firm and uncomfortable to you, a firm foundation is essential to your baby’s safety.

Size does matters.

A baby's mattress should be very firm, a good fit, and they are usually between 10 to 15cm in thickness. When the mattress is in the cot, there shouldn’t be any gaps larger than 20mm (2cm) between the edge of the mattress and any end or side the cot. If the gap is any larger, your baby may become entrapped between the mattress and cot , resulting in injury or suffocation.

You can trial the mattress by pressing in the centre and the edges of the cot. Look for resistance, and it should bounce back immediately and should not conform to the shape of your hand.

Remember: Never lay your baby down to sleep on an adult mattress or any other soft surface.

Foam vs Innerspring

There are several different types of mattresses available, the most common are foam and innerspring mattresses. Both are designed to provide the right support and maintain your baby’s natural posture.

There is a merit to both, foam mattresses are usually made from polyethene and occasionally latex which make it lighter in weight. They are generally the cheapest, which provide good value for money.  However, they may lose shape after several years. This may be something to consider if you want to use the mattress for subsequent children.

Overall innerspring mattresses are usually a lot heavier than foam but are more durable and last longer. Innerspring means the mattress has actual coiled spring interior with layers of felt and foam padding in it which supplies support. Inner Sprung cot mattresses can have up to 180 individual springs, the higher the spring count the firmer the mattress. The ideal inner sprung mattress is a mattress with a spring count of 135 springs.

The spring inner core will provide support for your baby, and they also tend to hold the mattress shape well. If you choose a cot bed, you may prefer an inner sprung mattress as they tend to be longer lasting that foam.

Most inner sprung mattresses have vents that sit in the space within the spring frame allows for increased airflow through the mattress. This allows for increased airflow and make it easier for moisture to escape, preventing mildew and odour. The vents also help to regulate a child’s body temperature and to keep the mattress fresh and well ventilated.

When choosing your mattress, look for small, reinforced holes along the sides. The more ventilation holes, the better.

Water Resistant Mattress protector is a must!

Babies… well, considering all the ways your baby can make your mattress dirty and you’ll want to make sure the mattress underneath doesn’t get soiled. A water-resistant mattress protector is always essential, especially if you plan on trying to preserve your mattress for a second child.

Look for a quick and easy to clean mattress protectors, If you are a busy parent I would recommend getting two.

Used vs New Cot Mattress.

Cot mattresses can be expensive with a range from $129.99 to $229.99, but if you're trying to save a few dollars, we would recommend that you make budget cuts elsewhere.

Overtime, the surface of a once a firm cot mattress can become soft and uneven, putting your little one at risk. What's more, a mattress that appears clean may still be harbouring bacteria, mould, mildew or even fungus in its core due to a nappy leak or a bottle spill. Some studies have even suggested a link between second-hand mattresses and SIDS caused by respiratory problems associated with uncleanliness.

A new mattress is always recommended.

Remember:

  • Always place baby to sleep on his or her back, with feet at the base of the cot.
  • Do not use lambswool, thick blankets, stuffed toys or pillows in cots.
  • Buy a firm, safe mattress that is within the cot manufacturer recommendations.
  • Keep baby’s head uncovered and away from blankets, which should be tucked in tightly. Alternatively, use a safe sleeping bag.

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Choosing the right bottle for your baby takes more thought than most people expect. Below we've answered the questions Kiwi parents ask us most often about Tommee Tippee. If you need more help, our team at Babies.co.nz is always happy to assist — call us on 09 274 3099 or visit our Auckland showroom in East Tamaki.

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Both use the same wide, breast-shaped teat design — the difference is in how they handle air reduction. Closer to Nature has a built-in anti-colic valve in the teat that reduces air ingestion during feeds. Advanced Anti-Colic goes further, with a heat-sensing tube at the bottom of the bottle that actively vents air out of the milk before it reaches your baby. For most babies, Closer to Nature is plenty. For babies with more significant colic, wind, or reflux, Advanced Anti-Colic is the better choice.

Yes — the Closer to Nature range is one of the most recommended bottles for combination feeding. The wide, breast-shaped teat encourages the same broad latch breastfed babies use at the breast, reducing the risk of nipple confusion. Always start with a slow flow teat for a breastfed baby regardless of age, and introduce the bottle around three to four weeks once breastfeeding is well established.

For many parents, yes. The Natural Start glass bottle is made from premium borosilicate glass — odour-free, heat resistant, and very easy to sterilise. It's particularly practical in the newborn period when you're sterilising frequently and mostly feeding at home. The main trade-offs are weight and the risk of breakage. Many parents use glass at home and plastic when out and about.

Start with slow flow for all newborns — whether breastfed or formula fed. Move up to variable flow when your baby shows signs of frustration, takes too long to finish feeds, or falls asleep before finishing. Fast flow suits confident, efficient feeders from around six months. Always let your baby's cues guide the decision rather than age alone.

Yes — both ranges include anti-colic features. Closer to Nature has a built-in anti-colic valve that reduces air ingestion. Advanced Anti-Colic takes this further with an active venting system that removes air bubbles from the milk during the feed. For babies with significant colic, the Advanced Anti-Colic bottle is the stronger solution. For a more powerful anti-colic system, Dr Brown's bottles use a fully internal vent system that is clinically proven to reduce colic.

The Perfect Prep Machine makes a fresh, perfectly mixed, body-temperature formula bottle in under two minutes — safely. It delivers a shot of hot water (over 70°C) to kill bacteria in the formula powder, then tops the bottle up to the correct volume with filtered water at room temperature. The result is a safe, correctly mixed bottle at the ideal feeding temperature, every time. The Day and Night version adds a quiet pump and soft night light for night feeds. It requires replacement filters every three months — available at Babies.co.nz.

As a guide: 2–3 bottles for occasional bottle feeding of a breastfed baby; 4–6 for combination feeding; 6–8 for exclusive formula feeding. The Closer to Nature 260ml 3-pack is the most practical starting point as it gives you enough bottles for a full day without constant washing.

Yes — all Closer to Nature, Advanced Anti-Colic, and Natural Start glass bottles and teats are dishwasher safe on the top rack. Replace teats every two to three months or sooner if you notice any thinning, stickiness, or discolouration.

Shop the full Tommee Tippee range online at Babies.co.nz with nationwide delivery, or visit our Auckland showroom in East Tamaki. We stock bottles, teats, the Perfect Prep Machine, sterilisers, breast pumps, and the full Tommee Tippee range. Price Match available and 5% back in Rewards on every purchase.

Both are excellent, widely trusted brands. Tommee Tippee's Closer to Nature teat is slightly softer and more flexible, which some babies find easier to latch onto. Philips AVENT's Natural Response teat uses a unique J-shape that releases milk only when your baby actively drinks — a more precise mimicry of breastfeeding. AVENT also offers more granular teat flow options (six levels vs Tommee Tippee's three). If you're combination feeding and want the most breast-like bottle experience, AVENT Natural Response is worth comparing. If you want a trusted, simple bottle with strong anti-colic performance, Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature is hard to beat. Read our full Philips AVENT buying guide →

The key difference is anti-colic power. Dr Brown's internal vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic and is the stronger solution for babies with significant wind or reflux. Tommee Tippee's anti-colic valve (Closer to Nature) and heat-sensing tube (Advanced Anti-Colic) are effective for most babies but less comprehensive than Dr Brown's approach. On the other hand, Tommee Tippee is simpler to clean — fewer parts, no internal vent tube to wash — and the breast-shaped teat is widely regarded as one of the best for combination feeding. Read our full Dr Brown's buying guide →

Most paediatric guidance recommends transitioning from a bottle to a cup around 12 months. Tommee Tippee makes this easy with their integrated cup and sippy range. The transition from bottle to sippy cup is smoother when you stay within the same brand — the familiar Tommee Tippee feel and quality helps babies accept the change more readily.