Help I have no idea where to start with crib and mattress!

[Ceartaa]

I need to buy a crib and mattress but no idea where to start. Due in October and everything is so different from when I had my (much) older kids.
Safety for the baby is main priority. For that I'm reading I need a very firm mattress. Is there any merit in the breathable / anti allergy ones being safer?
I would prefer something they could sleep in until at least 6 months, and with side panels so I could see in as crib will be beside my bed.
Do or can you buy the mattress separately?
Also travel crib recommendations which meet the above would be great as well thanks.

Do you want a next to me type bed? If you buy new they will come with a safe mattress. Some types work as travel cots too tho not Snuzpod. We had a Joie travel cot which had a bassinet & next to me mode so could potentially use that for everything too, tho not as slick as a “proper” one.

One thing to bear in mind is how big/heavy baby is likely to be by six months. Some are outgrown by weight before 6mths which is annoying!

We got an Ikea Snigler, which is a very affordable £59, and then splashed out on a nice mattress from The Little Green Sheep. Served our two boys well.

We had a moses basket. Bought it at John Lewis but the brand was Shnuggle. Then a cot bed and mattress from Ikea. You don’t need to overthink it because any cot mattress sold at a reputable retailer will be firm and safe.

At least 6 months is a struggle for bedside sleepers though because they become unsafe once baby is moving about even if they aren’t outgrown on length/weight. Unless you get something like the next to me forever. You also won’t want one on your side of them bed if you have a c-section as you will struggle to get out of bed.

Travel cot wise we had a Nuna one. They’re much of a much really. Anything from a brand you’ve heard of will be fine.

Thanks everyone for the advice and recommendations. Gives me a bit of a picture of what others have done.

Yes I was thinking of a next to me type crib, but I'll be putting the crib beside my bed anyway, it doesn't need to be a next to me although I would like side panels to be able to see baby from just turning over in my bed.

Planning on having them in my room until age 1 at least, because we don't have a spare bedroom until my daughter moves out, and that could be 3 years plus yet! I'd like them beside my bed until at least 6 months though, then there is space on the other side of my room for a full size cot or toddler bed.

My sister says she used her next to me crib until hers were 9 months old and they weren't small. Don't know how she managed that though, cause like you say when they start moving around properly, I remember the moses basket type cribs I had with my older kids rocking about on the stand and it made me paranoid!

I am having a c section so that's something to consider as well.