Do I Need a New Moses Basket Mattress?

This page contains information and advice about buying moses basket mattresses. You can find a selection of related products in our Online Store.

The Foundation of the Study of Infant Death (FSID) recommends that when it comes to moses baskets and cots it is best to have a new mattress for each baby. This is because there have been several studies, (the Scottish Cot Death Trust has carried out two, for example), that were designed to assess potential links between using a second hand mattress and sudden infant death. These identified a small but potential risk. Re-using the moses basket mattress of a closely related child, such as an older sibling, carried a very small danger of cot death. A second hand moses basket mattress from an none related child - for instance if the moses basket was purchased from eBay or was donated from a friend - carried a higher, though still quite small, risk.

Research is still ongoing into the risk of hand me down cots and moses basket mattresses and cot death, but the link may be due to bacteria in the mattress. Because babies tend to dribble a lot and regurgitate their feeds bacteria can multiply quickly on a moses basket or cot mattress, and an older mattress will obviously carry higher levels of bacteria. So until research has proved a conclusive link or has identified the exact reason for the increased danger, it is best to err on the side of caution and replace it with each new baby. If you cannot afford the expense of replacing a cot mattress, at least ensure it is clean, dry and still in good condition, (the foam should not be sagging, for example, as babies need firm support).

A moses basket mattress is always worth replacing because they are very inexpensive, costing approximately £6 to £18. One which is covered in plastic or has a removable cover so it can easily be wiped clean or washed is best. Higher cost products such as the Kit for Kids Ventiflow Moses Basket Mattress are designed with breathable materials and to allow maximum airflow to prevent overheating. Orthopaedic dent proof foam or memory foam which will hold its shape is beneficial because it gives the infant full support, but this is not an absolute necessity given the fact the baby will probably outgrow their moses basket by three to five months old. There are slight differences in the sizes of different brands of moses basket mattresses, but the majority will fit any moses basket.

If you prefer organic or natural baby products, you can buy an organic moses basket mattress. These are significantly more expensive than a ‘normal’ one with prices starting at £25.

For extra hygiene, do not forget to purchase at least two fitted sheets for the moses basket. Most retailers sell cotton moses basket sheets in a pack of two for around £7. Or you can save money on your baby bedding by buying a moses basket bedding set, which will include two fitted sheets along with other essential items such as one or two flat sheets and a couple of cellular blankets.