Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Flip

Original poster

Cot mattress too firm?

22 replies

owloak · 27/08/2023 02:42

Hi there

My baby is 11months old. He used to sleep perfectly in his cot all night. Then a few months ago he started waking constantly, but if I brought him in to our bed he would sleep perfectly again.

Then we visited family for a few weeks, where he slept in a cot with a softer mattress- he slept perfectly every single night...

Then we got home, and once again, he won't sleep in his cot at all.

Could it be that his mattress is too firm?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

StylishM · 27/08/2023 03:24

A firm mattress is recommended by the Lullaby Trust as it's a SIDS preventative measure

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 05:47

Thanks for your reply I understand this, and it's why I bought a very safe (firm) mattress to begin with. But now, as my baby is approaching 12months, I've been reading that they can move on to a softer mattress. I just don't know what material / brand I could get (hoping someone here has some recommendations).

OP posts:

WutheringMights · 27/08/2023 06:05

Following as experiencing the same problem. The cot mattress wasn't cheap but it's incredibly firm. Understandably so for young babies but as we're approaching 12 months, maybe there's a softer version or some kind of secure mattress topper?

Devilsmommy · 27/08/2023 06:14

Mine always hated the cot and I think the mattress was a big part along with lack of room, he's 11mo. I just changed him over to single bed with hybrid mattress and he sleeps way better than he ever did

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:11

We transferred him to the cot at 4 or 5 months (can't remember exactly ) and he slept perfect for a while. But once he hit about 6 months, he started waking during the night when in the cot. I would then bring him in to the bed with me, and even though I always said I would never co-sleep, the exhaustion got to me and I started letting him sleep in the bed with us. He sleeps perfectly when in the bed with us, doesn't wake at all..

What threw me though was when we visited family for a few weeks, and he slept 12hrs straight in the cots (two different ones, in two different rooms), and even slept perfectly in the travel cots when we were in hotels throughout the visit. I thought maybe he had just gone through a regression at 6 months that lasted a long time, but the ending of it coincided with our visit to family.. great I thought... but then we got home and straight away from night 1 onwards, nope, won't sleep in his cot.

I'm at a total loss. The mattress is a pretty expensive one, from ikea. It is pretty firm, which I was happy about because I know that is what is recommended for safe sleep. I've only recently realized that you can buy softer mattresses as they get older (past 12 months). So I'm wondering if he is uncomfortable with how firm it is? The ones he slept on when visiting family were definitely softer. But then the travel cots were firm, so I'm just totally baffled. I don't know what to do!!

OP posts:

PurBal · 27/08/2023 07:18

Babies are small and I don’t think they could tell the subtleties between two mattress tbh (although happy to be corrected). Is it possible it started as a regression and now DS had learnt “if I cry I can sleep with mummy?”.

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:20

@WutheringMights I was thinking about a mattress topper too, but then I think wouldn't it be "safer" to get a different, softer mattress, so as to eliminate extra bedding. But where I'm struggling, is actually finding a softer mattress advertised online? So I'm back to square one just not being sure what to do!!

I still might invest in a mattress topper, once I do a bit more research on it. I think as a first time mum, I'm struggling with the progression from baby to toddler, with regards to loosing up on super-safe practices (the type that are specifically for under 12 months). Where's the manual for 12 months+ 😅😅

OP posts:

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:22

@Devilsmommy thanks so much for your reply :) does the single bed have side railings on it, to stop them falling out?

OP posts:

Devilsmommy · 27/08/2023 07:26

It's a low cabin and I've got a guard that's goes full length and is 80 cm high so no chance of him climbing out. He was such an awful sleeper until I got this, he loves the room to roll around and get comfy😊

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:28

@PurBal it totally could be that he just wants to sleep with me!! But then why didn't he want to sleep with me when we were visiting family? 😅 I was expecting him to sleep worse than ever when in environments he wasn't used to, but he did the complete opposite, didn't want/need me at all

Totally understand it could be simply that he wants to sleep in my bed/with me, and nothing at all to do with the mattress, but just trying to think of every possible reason here! Should also mention, he naps well at daycare! Self settles etc. but I haven't asked them if their mattresses are firm/soft 😂 although tbh, I imagine they are firm as he is in the baby room (so possibility of very young babies sleeping there).

OP posts:

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:31

@Devilsmommy Awh that sounds so lovely for him! will google low cabins to see if this could be a possibility!

OP posts:

Devilsmommy · 27/08/2023 07:34

Definitely look for the guards that are 180 by 80 if your little one is a climber like mine, the standard ones are 45 and my little one would be over that in a flash, he's walking already🫣

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:51

@Devilsmommy thank you!! My little lad isn't walking yet, but definitely on his way to pulling himself up etc., so it's only a matter of time before he's off 😅

OP posts:

Devilsmommy · 27/08/2023 08:25

owloak · 27/08/2023 07:51

@Devilsmommy thank you!! My little lad isn't walking yet, but definitely on his way to pulling himself up etc., so it's only a matter of time before he's off 😅

Yeah it seems like 1 second they're just cruising round furniture and in the next second walking a good distance by themselves. You actually do need eyes in the back of your head🤣 once they're off that's it for peace of mind😊

Geranium1984 · 27/08/2023 09:14

My son used to sleep really well in the travel cot which had a portable matress. Softer matress and the soft sides of the potacot made the difference I think. I almost swapped his proper cot for the travel cot in desperation

Original poster

owloak · 27/08/2023 09:20

I don't have a travel cot of my own, so can't even be tempted to swap it

OP posts:

Devilsmommy · 27/08/2023 10:25

Geranium1984 · 27/08/2023 09:14

I did this as the travel cot was wider than the normal one but he likes a good roll around so just got the single bed in the end🤣

Original poster

owloak · 28/08/2023 07:00

Well I have a small update- I removed the mattress protector (to wash it, and then just left it off to see) and- he slept all night! 😱 I have no idea if this is just a coincidence 😅

OP posts:

Original poster

owloak · 13/09/2023 03:22

Update- it was a fluke he slept all night just that one night. Although he seems to be getting a bit better at sleeping in the cot more. But then he's been unwell recently, so a bit of a setback.

OP posts:

Dotty23 · 28/05/2024 13:25

@owloak Did you ever find an answer to this? Currently have the same problem!

Nfjc · 06/10/2024 13:42

Same here, did you find a solution? Littleun is nearly 10 months and absolutely hates her cot, sleeps well at nursery and when she’s in our bed. In her moses basket she slept through most of the time. I’m sure it’s the firmness on the mattress and not as cozy as her moses basket.

MotherTrees · 10/11/2024 02:48

Also following as I have the same problem. Just back from 5 nights away where my 6.5month old slept beautifully every night (waking maybe once a night for feed / change). This has been the pattern every time we go away and the only common denominator I can think of is a softer mattress (unless it’s our house that’s the problem! 😅). At home we have a Little Green Sheep fibre mattress. Love the natural fibre but it does feel incredibly hard and LO doesn’t want to sleep on it at all.

Has anyone found sprung mattresses more comfortable? Any recommendations on which to try?

Flip