NaturalMat coco mattress

When you’re a new parent, you’ll pretty much try anything to get your baby to sleep. Hence, Alfie spent the first few months of his life swinging through the night in a Miyo Baby Hammock (very successful – would recommend to anyone), has been subjected to womb, rain and wave sounds (the latter just made me doze off) and snuggled up with any number of comforters (rejected all the expensive ones in favour of a taggy blanket made by my friend Kath).

Luckily for us, he’s always been a good sleeper, but I have to say that since we added a NaturalMat coco mattress to his Brio Sleep cot bed he seems to sleep even better. Coconuts seem an odd choice for mattress filling, but their husks form the organic coir in the centre, which is then ensconced in organic lambswool infused with lavender, lemon and eucalyptus essential oils which provide natural anti-dust mite protection. That in turn is covered with a removable, washable unbleached cotton cover. The result is a springy, breathable base for your baby to lie on that had me craving a super-size version for myself. All the natural materials mean that the ventilation is superb, reducing the risk of overheating.

At £135 for a standard 70 x 140cm size, NaturalMat don’t offer the cheapest mattress option, but they are such exceptional quality you feel they will last for years, so it’s a great investment. They also provide a made-to-measure service in case you have an oddly shaped or sized cot. And if you’re looking for the best organic option, then it’s a no-brainer.