Cot mattress stress

[RMarieClaire]

Although we won't be using the cot for a good six months, we were hoping to have the cot sorted before our baby arrives in July.

My in-laws have kindly given us a cot, which is a real family air-loom, and has been passed down 3 generations (most recently for our dd's cousins). I'm very grateful but it's a weird size - 120cm x 50cm - and I cannot find a mattress to fit. I've found some that are 100x50, but that would leave significant gap. There are some companies that make bespoke mattresses, but unclear what quality would be and as this is so important, I'm really nervous.

I really don't want to seem ungrateful but I'm terrified of buying the wrong mattress - it just doesn't seem worth the risk 

It would have to be the right size incase your baby gets stuck down the gap ,i wouldnt chance it if it the wrong size x

That's what I thought. I've now found a company called natural mat, who are well reviewed and can do bespoke mattress sizes. This might be a perfect solution but I'm also worried about bedding, mattress protectors, etc, which would presumably all be too big if we get a bespoke mattress.

I know it's going to cause drama if I turn this cot down but, gah, all I want is to feel confident in our baby's safety and I also don't want to have to worry all the time

What did your DD’s cousins do? Ask them how they got around it?

Hi these guys do custom mattresses I got 2 one for a snuzpod and one for my pram quality is good and they cames within a few says. They do custom sizes and you can have whatever spec you want. Foam/ sprung etc

babymattressesonline.co.uk

Have you confirmed the gap between the cot bars are up to today's safety standards? If not please check before worrying about buying a mattress. I still have visions from being a young teen of stories I saw about babies/toddlers getting their heads stuck between cot bars.

In regards to bedding:

1. Use a flat sheet on top of the mattress and ensure it is always properly tucked under the mattress.
2. Use gro bags so you don't have to struggle with the baby kicking off their blankets. You can get gro bags for newborns up to 36 months with different tog ratings. The togs are lower than duvet ratings but baby's rooms are suppose to be warmer than adult ones. Just make sure their head cannot fit through the hole at the top.
3. You will have a problem with mattress protectors but probably another flat sheet with a incontinence sheet may be ok under it.

Also my baby couldn't fit into her Moses basket after 3.5 months and with other babies I know it varied from 2 months to 5 months.

Reusable/washable mattress protectors instead of plastic ones can just fold to fit. I have some hippy chick ones and a bit incontinence kylie and it wouldn't matter what size the mattress was. Second flat sheets rather than fitted. If you really want fitted sheets can you sew?

Try here op , made to measure
babymattressesonline.co.uk/made-to-measure-cot-mattress-120-x-50

I'm sure this cot is beautiful with a lot of sentiment behind it, but I wouldn't accept it. I'd rather have family pissed off at me than risk unsafe sleep. The mattress situation may be fixed by a custom made one, but can you be 100% comfortable that it's up to the modern safety requirements?

I used baby mattresses online, they were great. And seconding other posters who recommend flat sheets. That’s only if you’re happy with the cot from a safety perspective though.

Natural mat are great and a protector could be a smaller size as it doesn’t need to go right to the edges and will be covered by a fitted sheet. I’m using slightly larger fitted sheets in our cot at the moment due to a weird sized mattress and they tuck underneath where they’re too big and stay perfectly tight