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Best Moses basket mattresses for a safe night's sleep
Find the perfect safe place for your baby to lay their head with our pick of the very best Moses basket mattresses.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Apr 13, 2023
A Moses basket isn’t used for as long as a cot or other type of newborn bed, but your newborn will spend many hours in theirs as they'll initially sleep for up to 18 hours in every 24. As such, you’ll want to be sure that you pick the best Moses basket mattress - one that's both safe and comfortable. Experts advise that you buy a new Moses basket mattress for each child, although reusing the basket itself is fine.
Babies spend so much of their early months asleep (even if it sometimes doesn't feel that way for the parents!). It's when they do most of their growing, and it's a huge part of infant development, not to mention essential to new parents' mental health. Choosing the right things to buy can be a minefield - whether it's the best swaddle blanket for peaceful newborn naps, the most soothing white noise machine to help them drift off, or the best cot bed to help them transition out of a moses basket. Luckily, Mumsnetters are always on hand with authentic recommendations and tried-and-tested advice.
We consulted both safe sleep experts and real parents to put together this guide to buying the right Moses basket mattress for your baby so you can rest easy while your baby sleeps soundly.
These are the best Moses basket mattresses to buy in 2023.
Best Moses basket mattress - editor's pick
1. Best overall Moses basket mattress: The Little Green Sheep Natural Moses Basket Mattress
RRP: £50.95 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Size: 74 x 28cm | Material: Cotton, wool, coconut coir
What we love
- Eco-friendly
- Handmade natural product
- Lots of size options
What to know
- Right at the pricier end of the market
- Sponge-clean only
- Need to buy additional mattress cover
What Mumsnet users say
"Get a second hand Moses basket and buy a great mattress. We've ways bought little green sheep mattresses for Moses basket/snuz pod/cot and have been really pleased with them and they've seen us through both kids so I would definitely recommend them." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user lobsteroll)
Our verdict
If being green is at the top of your agenda when it comes to baby buys, The Little Green Sheep is worth getting to know - and its Natural Moses Basket Mattress is a really lovely offering. We must be honest and point out that, at over £50, it really ought to be pretty lovely, but eco-friendly products do tend to come at a premium. The mattress is made from just four ‘ingredients’ - coconut, cotton, natural latex and wool - which provide a firm, safe base for your baby to sleep on, and one which won’t create pressure points.
Parents who’ve bought the mattress say it keeps its shape really well. The coconut and latex makes up the core of the mattress, a layer of temperature-regulating, breathable wool surrounds it, and then a cotton herringbone cover holds it all together. So far so good. However, the main issue consumers have with this mattress is that, green as it is, it’s not waterproof and is sponge-clean only. The Little Green Sheep also recommends that you buy one of its mattress protectors, so the price can start to mount up.
The Little Green Sheep makes Moses basket mattresses in three sizes, so as well as this standard size there are also mattresses designed to fit Mamas & Papas and Mothercare Moses baskets. There’s also an option to buy a fully customisable mattress if you happen to have an unusually sized Moses basket.
Read next: The best nappy bins to eliminate smells, as recommended by parents
2. Best budget Moses basket mattress: John Lewis ANYDAY Basic Fibre Moses Basket Mattress
Price: £12 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Size: 74 x 28cm | Material: Polypropylene, PET fibre
What we love
- Excellent price
- 4cm thickness
- Good breathability - better for children with allergies
What to know
- Cover isn’t removable for washing
- Slightly less firm than some Moses basket mattresses
What Mumsnet users say
“I was given both a second hand Moses basket and crib and bought basic John Lewis mattresses which have been great and used for two DC.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user FoxtrotSkarloey)
Our verdict
John Lewis comes up trumps again with a functional but good quality Moses basket mattress that’s part of its popular ANYDAY range. If you’re trying to keep your newborn essentials shopping list on budget, this is a great buy. The mattress is a generous 4cm thick and is made from a 100% recycled PET fibre core, with a polypropylene cover.
Parents say it has a medium-firm feel and offer good support for a baby’s posture. The cover is made from a micropore material, which increases air circulation and breathability, but is wipe-clean only - the only downside. However, for just over a tenner, we think this mattress offers a lot and stands up well next to Moses basket mattresses at more than twice the price.
3. Best foam Moses basket mattress: Mother Nurture Classic Foam Moses Basket Mattress
Price: £13.59 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 3 sizes available | Material: Polypropylene, polyester
What we love
- Water-resistant, machine-washable cover
- Quilting for added comfort
- Available in three sizes
What to know
- Some parents feel it comes up slightly longer than stated
Our verdict
This standard-sized Moses basket mattress is a reliable buy with lots of little extras that you might not expect from a mattress at this price point. It’s similar in price and size to the Clair de Lune Palm Moses Basket Mattress (see below) and would also fit the Clair de Lune Palm Moses Basket, but it offers just that little more.
The 4cm-thick mattress is hand sewn using only the highest quality materials and is constructed from three layers for maximum comfort: a nursery-grade foam for good support, the Kidtech sleep surface for durability and, finally, a hypoallergenic water-resistant Cosyquilt sleep surface. This cover can be removed and machine-washed at 40 degrees.
4. Best fibre Moses basket mattress: Clair de Lune Moses Basket Fibre Mattress
RRP: £16.19 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 65 x 28cm | Material: Polyester fibre
What we love
- Removable, water-repellent cover
- Eco-friendly sustainable polyester materials
What to know
- Quite thin but feels robust
What Mumsnet users say
“We’ve got a Clair de lune one; it’s been used for both my DC and my nephew and still got lots of life left in it.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user user1493413286)
Our verdict
This high density polyester fibre mattress is a great buy from a trusted baby equipment provider.
It’s only 2.5cm thick but feels firm and well-padded - however, we’d like it to be a little thicker for a comfier feel. The removable cover is machine-washable at 40 degrees and is both hypoallergenic and water-repellent, making it easy to clean up after any spit-ups.
5. Best Moses basket mattress with a washable cover: Sleep & Snuggle Hypoallergenic Moses Basket Mattress
RRP: from £16.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 10 sizes available | Material: Foam
What we love
- Water-resistant without being crinkly
- Lots of sizes available
What to know
- At 3cm, it could be thicker
Our verdict
Newborns are messy - it’s a fact of life, and buying a Moses basket mattress with a washable cover you can chuck in the washing machine will give you peace of mind as well as save you scrubbing away at a hard-to clean mattress. This mattress from Sleep & Snuggle is made of nursery-grade, high-resilience foam that offers plenty of comfort and support for your baby.
Both the mattress and cover are hypo-allergenic and antibacterial, and the cover is water-resistant without any noisy, crinkly plastic layers. Made from a breathable, skin-friendly but durable fabric, the cover stays on with a simple envelope design so there are no zips or scratchy velcro to contend with. Available in 10 different sizes, this mattress is likely to fit any Moses basket.
6. Best anti-allergy Moses baket mattress: Mother & Baby First Gold Anti-Allergy Foam Mattress
RRP: £25 | Buy now from CuddleCo
Key specs
Size: 75 x 28cm | Material: Purotex foam
What we love
- High-tech anti-allergy materials
- Washable cover
What to know
- Just one size available
Our verdict
Made from Tencel and Purotex foam, this mattress contains 100% organic materials - a safe bet for babies with allergies. Purotex is a brand new technology that uses tiny microcapsules filled with organic probiotics to reduce dust mite and pet hair allergens by up to 93%.
There’s a removable cover that can be machine washed at 40°, and the mattress inner is made from soft but supportive, nursery-grade foam. Price-wise, we think the Mother & Baby Anti-Allergy Foam Mattress is good value for the peace of mind it will provide to parents who are concerned about allergies.
7. Best small Moses basket mattress: Mamas & Papas Small Moses Basket Mattress
RRP: £19 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 67 x 30cm | Material: Fibre
What we love
- Completely washable
- Anti-allergen
What to know
- Not as thick as some Moses basket mattresses
What Mumsnet users say
“Mamas & Papas have a mattress guide on their website which I found very helpful in explaining the options. We got my son’s mattress from there and have been very happy with it.” (Rated by Mumsnet user mycatlikestwiglets)
Our verdict
What sets this mattress apart from the others is not just its non-standard size (the majority of Moses basket mattresses are 74 x 28cm) but the fact that it’s so easy to find compatible Moses baskets, sheets, stands and more from Mamas & Papas. The brand also offers a larger mattress size. This mattress works with the Mamas & Papas Dream Upon a Cloud Moses Basket but will fit other designs of these dimensions too.
The fibre mattress is 3.5cm thick and uses active probiotic treatment to ward off dust mites and other allergens. Its temperature-regulating design keeps your baby cosy, but not too warm, all night long. The mattress cover is both removable and washable, but you can actually wash the mattress core with this model, which is something that isn’t possible with most, and would be a bonus if you had to deal with a big nappy overflow or a massive puke.
8. Best memory foam Moses basket mattress: Clevamama Clevafoam Moses Basket Mattress
RRP: from £28 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 2 sizes available | Material: Clevafoam
What we love
- Unbeatable support
- Helps prevent flat head syndrome
- Moisture wicking, washable cover
What to know
- On the pricy side
What Mumsnet users say
"I got the Clevamama Clevafoam support mattress for my son. It's very good quality and has a luxury plush feel to it. I'd highly recommend it." (Recommended by Mumsnetter maryd84)
Our verdict
Many Mumsnetters are converts to memory foam mattresses for adults, so it makes sense that this specially-designed Clevafoam Moses basket mattress comes highly recommended too.
Developed to support and align babies’ growing bodies correctly, Clevafoam helps prevent Flat head syndrome, relieves pressure on babies’ joints, and is made from breathable, moisture-wicking and non-toxic materials. There’s a washable, removable cover and the mattress is hypo-allergenic. This mattress offers a lot of brilliant features that you won’t find at the cheaper end of the market, and we think it’s worth spending that bit more for a really supportive mattress.
What thickness should a Moses basket mattress be?
Moses basket mattresses are usually somewhere between 3.5 and 5cm in thickness. Some expert advice suggests that they should be a minimum of 5cm but many of the well known and respected manufacturers make them at 4cm thick, and much less.
While Moses basket mattresses do feel much thinner than a cot mattress or other kids' mattresses - more like a pad - The Lullaby Trust advises that it should simply be “firm, flat and waterproof.”
Are all Moses basket mattresses the same size?
No. The standard width is 28cm and standard lengths usually 74cm or 65cm, but double check before you buy to ensure that your chosen mattress will fit your Moses basket snugly - gaps around the edges should not exceed 3cm - and that you’re buying the correctly sized fitted sheets.
If you have an unusually sized Moses basket, there are lots of companies that make bespoke mattresses for Moses baskets, like The Little Green Sheep.
Can you use a secondhand Moses basket mattress?
It’s recommended that you buy a new Moses basket mattress for each baby, even if you'd only be handing down from your own children. The NCT says, “It might not seem like a big deal to reuse mattresses from your eldest child’s Moses basket or cot, or accept a hand-me-down from a friend. But bear in mind that doing this could mean a small increase in your baby’s risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). That applies if you’re using one that’s come from outside your house and if you lent it to somebody else in between babies.”
The NHS says, “If you're borrowing a crib or a cot, or using one that's been used by another of your children, you should ideally buy a new mattress. If you cannot do this, use the cot mattress you have, as long as it's firm (not soft), flat, fits the cot with no gaps, is clean, dry, waterproof and not ripped or torn.”
In reality, lots of Mumsnetters say they did reuse a mattress between siblings. But if you’re going to reuse it, do make sure that it’s in good condition.
What else should I consider when buying the best Moses basket mattress?
As well as size and ensuring a good fit, there are a few more things to look out for:
- Materials: Most Moses basket mattresses are made from foam, which is comfortable but also firm and supportive. But you can also buy mattresses made from hypoallergenic and natural materials. Even if your mattress is foam, you can look out for brands that have been treated to discourage dust mites, and many mattresses will come with a hypoallergenic cover.
- Firmness: You want a mattress that's nice and firm and definitely not too soft as this helps to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Waterproof cover: As well as being a safety feature recommended by sleep experts and doctors (you don’t want any germs getting into the mattress and growing there), a waterproof cover is also more practical. Your baby will posset regularly on the sheets and it can sink through quickly, so look for mattresses with covers that can be quickly and easily removed for machine-washing.
How should I wash a Moses basket mattress?
It’s best not to wash a Moses basket mattress, unless the packaging specifically states you can, so check the instructions and recommendations for the product.
Most should come with a removable, machine-washable cover anyway, so there should be no need to wash the mattress itself.
What is the best Moses basket mattress to buy?
We think the best Moses basket mattress is the Little Green Sheep Natural Moses Basket Mattress. We love its eco credentials as well as the comfort and support it offers your little one. While it's pricy - especially once you add the sold-separately washable cover - it's the Rolls Royce of Moses basket mattresses.
If you're looking for a Moses basket too, check out our guide to Mumsnetters' best Moses baskets.
How we chose our recommendations
Before we began researching the best Moses basket mattresses, we first scrutinised the latest safe sleep advice from trusted organisations such as The Lullaby Trust, the NCT and the NHS so we could be confident that all the mattresses we were recommending were safe.
We also consulted renowned consumer organisations such as Which? to gather information on how to choose the best quality products and also those that would offer the most value for money.
Finally, we scoured the Mumsnet forums, where real parents offer honest and impartial advice about the products that have worked for them, as well as analysing reviews from customers and consumer experts on various other websites.
We took all the mattresses that came most highly recommended by consumers and parents to draw up a shortlist of 20 products and then narrowed it down to the eight you see here, which we think offer enough choice for every family.
Why you should trust us
At Mumsnet, we believe parents should be able to access impartial and honest advice about products and services they may purchase.
We consult real parents as well as experts so we can offer the benefit of honest experience and we don’t take payment for our reviews from companies.
Our team of reviewers is made up of experienced consumer and parenting journalists who between them have a wealth of experience and knowledge at their fingertips.