Read Mumsnetters’ feedback on the Mothercare Airflow Pocket Spring Cot Mattress - non testers - chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

This thread is for the 10 Mumsnetters who tested the Airflow Pocket Spring Cot Bed Mattress (RRP £140). Those selected were also sent a Mothercare Bayswater Cot Bed.

Here’s what Mothercare have to say about the mattress: ‘A good cot mattress will contribute to your baby having the best night’s sleep possible. If your baby sleeps well then so will you. The Mothercare Airflow Pocket Spring mattress features individual springs encased in their own pockets, to provide correct postural support during your baby’s early development stages. This firm mattress also features a washable protective cover which helps keep your baby cool fresh and dry. For your convenience we are offering the mattress with a Mothercare Bayswater Cot Bed in white to use as a full set though your baby’s first years.’

Testers, please answer the following questions:

-Did the mattress appear comfortable for your baby?

-Was the mattress easy to use?

-Do you find the mattress easy to clean?

-Have you washed the mattress cover in your machine yet? Do you think this feature will make life easier?

Non testers, to be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 voucher of their choice, please answer the following question:
-What is the best piece of advice you have ever received when it comes to helping your baby to sleep at night?

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[WonderLime]

Non tester: the best advice I've been given is to try and destress yourself before putting the baby down. If you are feeling stressed and tired, the baby is likely to pick up on that and reach accordingly. Whereas if you are calm and collected, your presence is soothing to the baby and you'll find it easier to get them to sleep.

[Vonklump]

Non tester.
Once they are passed the newborn stage have a sleeptime routine. A few stories, a snuggle +/- feed, then sleep. Add bath in at nighttime.
We also tried to put them down awake, although when they fed pre sleep it was more not completely zonked out, than awake.

[OnMyShoulders]

My Dad told me not to worry about taking them into bed with us because they'll not still be doing it when they're 15! We have 5 DC and they've all been in our bed at some point. Youngest is now 3 and does not come in our bed. Personally though, I think routine at bedtime is the most important thing.

[KatnissMellark]

Non tester here- best piece of advice is after a certain age/weight start trying alternate selling methods target than immediately defaulting to feeding... Once I was told that it took a week to get DS sleeping for a 7-9 hour stretch.

[malisa]

Non tester.
The best advice I had was to set a routine in my life and for baby and keep silence at night to let them know it's sleeping time.
It's good to involve rest of family so I can get rest too.

[Thirdload]

Non tester.

The best advice I had was to prioritise sleep, so have a routine and don't let them get overtired and overwrought.

[JemIsMyNameNooneElseIsTheSame]

Non tester: 'This too shall pass...'

[NerrSnerr]

Non tester
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received when it comes to helping your baby to sleep at night?

Try not to worry too much about them sleeping through, try just to go with it. I find sleepless nights much easier if I just accept it and stick the telly and radio on

[Belmo]

Non tester- best advice was it's just a phase!

[Maiz7654]

Best advice I received was to use a sleepyhead, my daughter didn't like it at first but now she settles in jt really well.

[Bettyswaggler]

Non tester

When I read about sleep patterns and the difference they can make was a huge turning point for me. I was able to tell when my DD has fallen into deep sleep and when that cycle would start to come to an end. And after years of struggling understanding the importance of self settling, but without controlled crying (not my thing) . Finally I have a child who asks to go to bed and stays in it all night. This is HUGE for me and I still shudder when I think of the sleepless exhausting days/nights!!

[Mummybroadley]

NON TESTER - Best piece of advise, do what works for you, whether that be baby in cot, baby in co sleeping. Whatever works, they're only small for such a small time you'll never regret cuddling them to much!

[gemmie797]

The best advice I had was to keep a thermometer in the room and have thin layers which can be added/removed

[Teabay]

Non tester here - definitely the most effective and stinkiest was to sleep in an old t-shirt, then when it was a bit milk stained and stinky to wrap it over the mattress of the Moses basket instead of a sheet. It worked like a miracle and both babies loved the smell of me. Yuk....

[Tortycat]

Non tester - co sleeping has been great for us. I love not having to get up in the night as ds2 is a frequent waker. I also love kust being able to look over at him
I think if you follow safety guidelines there are lots of benefits

[littletwofeet]

Non tester- co-sleep, feed lying down.

[quizqueen]

To help a baby to fall asleep or if a baby or young child wakes at night, go into their room but don't talk or even make eye contact just rest your hand on their back or tummy and leave it there until they go back to sleep. Then creep away! If you stimulate them by rocking or stroking their heads or singing etc. they will think they cannot get to sleep by themselves without some sort of stimulus.

[ClaireJ89]

Non-tester:
The best advice I was given was to buy summer and winter sleeping bags. And also to always have a tog guide which helps figure out what your child should be dressed in according to the room temp

[goldenretriever1978]

Non tester. Not been given much helpful advice but I would say let baby sleep with you if it means he is happy and you get more sleep.

[MontysMum22]

My Mum told me to accept that all babies are different and be prepared to try out what works for the individual baby not to set hard and fast rules but let them find their own routine. I did have 3 brilliant daughters, they all slept through from 10pm until 6am at 6 weeks old (8 weeks for No 3 but she was 5 weeks prem) I appreciate I was very lucky to have that. My first slept in a Moses basket and she wouldn't ever go to sleep in your arms but would go off quickly once put down to sleep, she slept well at night and slept for long stretches during the day time too. No 2 had to be cuddled to sleep for a long time before being put down but slept okay at night after that but she would never go to sleep during the daytime for even half an hour. No 3 hated the wooden rocking cot we bought her and would only sleep at night in her pram, she never slept during the daytime either and she liked to have her musical nightlight on to get to sleep. All three settled much better from about 1 year old if you read to them.

[Carriecakes80]

Best advice I have been given, was by my husband, and he told me to relax!
Yes that sounds all to easy lol, but he was such a help to me, when our third child had febrile convulsions, I was panicking, and the baby would pick up on this, and cry more and then I would panic again that she would have a fit, so night-times were beginning to be a worry, until my husband stepped in, he would make me a lovely cuppa, tell me to go and have ten minutes relax, and then when I came back, the baby would be relaxed too.

[katiewalters]

Best advice was to stick to a routine and have quiet time with the tv off etc. Bath, Bed, book and putting baby down whist awake sk they are used to going to sleep on their own in their own cot

[BlueKarou]

Non-tester

I partially co-sleep with my 15 month old at the moment; I'll spend the evening resettling him when he wakes, but once it passes 11pm and I want to sleep I will bring him in with me if he wakes. The best advice I got from a friend about this was 'as long as you both sleep, that's the important bit. It's not like he'll still be needing to sleep in your bed when he's 18. Do what works for you.'

It made me feel a lot less stressed about getting things 'right', or feeling like I'd done something wrong when he wasn't always sleeping through, or when he had nights of waking every hour. As a parent I do feel it's so important not to spend all your time berating yourself for the choices you've made. Enjoy your children whilst they're young; as long as they're happy and healthy you're doing a good job.

[Willowwisp23]

Non Tester

Strict routine. Ensuring baby was put down to sleep at the same times each day really helped baby feel secure and get the sleep she needed. Also helped me knowing when my breaks were going to be!

Currently pregnant and will do the same again.

[Anj123]

My midwife told me that babies "work" on a 24 hour clock so routine is vital. When my daughter was a baby we tried to do the same things at the same time every day, and this worked for us.