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We have tried to answer all questions fairly, honestly and without predujice.

Q: Do I have to worry about chemicals in mattresses?

A: Let's start with the biggest question first. Almost 15 years ago there was a scare that chemicals used in the production of foam mattresses and fire retardency were a cause of cot deaths. The whole cot mattress industry was thrown into utter chaos. The TV and press media fuelled these fears with some outrageous and irresponsible headlines. The Cook report encouraged all mums to wrap their mattresses in black PVC dustbin bags! (PVC is now not recommended for babies.)

As you can imagine, there were thousands and thousands of extremely worried and confused parents in the UK. The UK government had no choice but to set up its team of eminent and highly qualified scientists to completely discredit this poison gas theory and restore some calm.

However, as a precaution or because there was a real threat, all the so called added chemical 'nasties' were then removed from foam cot mattress production so as to ensure piece of mind.

Furthermore, if there was a risk, parents were told to ensure that they:

1) Sleep babies on their backs.
2) Have well ventilated rooms with air movement.
3) Ban smoking in the house where there were new babies and toddlers.
4) Ensure your baby cannot overheat - most quilts and duvets have been reduced in tog rating.

Since most parents have been doing these most important safety routines, cot deaths had been reduced significantly.

There are still some scientists that still believe in the toxic gas theory even though they now admit the risk is clearly reduced by the removal of chemical nasties in mattress production and by following the guidelines above... but somewhere the debate continues.

All parties (including SIDS) agree that it is absolutely vital that points 1-4 above are rigorously carried out.

We would say if you want to be extra safe (and avoid any harmful bacterial growth and dust mites) then in addition to the key points above you can do the following.

a) Buy a mattress with a PU waterproof slider or cover (not PVC) - this will stop urine entering the mattress core. Ensure the slider is washable at 60°C or more.

b) Ensure that the cover on the mattress is removable and washable at 60°C and wash regularly or after urine or vomit spillage.

Q: What does CMHR 25 foam mean, I see this in a lot of mattresses adverts?

A: This is short for Combustion Modified High Resilient foam. CMHR is the standard of foam to be used in a cot mattress and the number is the weight per kilo. The minimum that should be used is CMHR 25, some companies use less to cut the price but it will sink and flatten. Some companies who make quality cot mattresses will use CMHR 28, CMHR 35 and even CHMR 50 to afford extra support and durability.

Q: How tight a fit does the mattress have to be?

A: Mattress sizes are all important to your baby's safety in the cot. If the mattress is much too small there is a real danger of your baby's head getting trapped between the mattress and the sides of the cot, or if it has a smaller gap, then perhaps a foot or hand can get trapped.

If your mattress is too big, it either won't fit or you won't be able to operate the dropside (if your cot has one) and you may not be able to tuck bedding in the sides without making an uncomfortable bulge in the in mattress.

British safety standards recommend that the mattress should leave more than a 4cm gap between the mattress edge and the side of the cot.

Q: Do I need to buy an expensive mattress?

A: Like most things, price has a bearing on durability, comfort etc. In general, 3" (7cm) thick mattresses are best suited to occasional use or short term duration. 7cm ,mattresses are made to a price generally given free with cots and cot beds. For everyday and long periods of use you need 10cm thickness and for best durability look for CMHR 35 foam or sprung mattresses.

Q: Does a mattress have to exactly fit my cot?

A: It is vital that you choose the right size mattress. If you need to measure your cot for a mattress, see our pages on how to do this.

Q: Why do some foam cot mattresses dent more than others?

A: Foam as a product does not like heat, wet and damp - that is exactly what a baby is! Some babies are more hotter, wetter and heavier than others. The lighter weight foam you get (cheapest), the more it will be susceptible to dipping. Obviously the foam will indent when your baby or toddler lies on it, but it will come back, and turning and rotating the mattress helps it to recover.

Q: Can I buy memory foam for my baby?

A: To be honest, we as a company would not risk it - unless it was proven beyond all doubt that it was safe and beneficial to use. Currently there are questions about toxicity, support and breathability that remain unanswered.

Q: Can I have any mattress in a crib or pram?

A:Tiny babies are not heavy, and they are not in a crib or pram for very long, therefore most crib and pram mattresses are made of basic foam and some have PVC coverings (we do not use PVC in our products).

If you wish to have a more substantial and comfortable mattress that is also anti-allergenic then chose a Surestart crib mattress. A crib or pram mattress must have some ventilation, and its cover should me removable and washable at 60°C.

Q: Is a Coir Fibre mattress good for my child?

A: When Coir Fibre is new there is a good feel to it. However, it is not as durable as a very good quality foam. The so-called natural effect with the coco fibre that it's made from should not be confused with the rubberised hair mattresses. These have not been in production for over ten years.

Q: I need a mattress only for occasional use, which should I choose?

A: If you need a cot mattress for just occasional use, perhaps for when the family visit, then you could get away with just a 7cm (3") thick one. Sometimes when you purchase a cot and get a free mattress, the mattress supplied with your cot is generally a 7cm thick mattress.

Q: Which mattress should I choose for a cot-bed?

A: If you are going to use a cot mattress for more than two years it is wise to get a more substantial mattress - one that is sprung or with a better quality foam such as CMHR 35. As your child gets heavier and more active, the cot-bed mattress needs to be able to cope with the extra weight and stress. There are now pocket sprung mattresses available.

Q: Which cot mattresses are anti-allergenic?

A: Most products used in mattress production are anti-allergenic, but they only keep the property if they can be kept clean. Choose a mattress with a cover that can be washed at 60°C, like SafeTex or SafeTex Plus that will offer maximum protection against dust mites.

Q: Should I buy a second-hand mattress or use my mattress for my second or third child?

A: If you know the history of the mattress and are sure that it has been kept clean, stored well, wrapped in dry conditions, with no possibility of mould or bacteria growth on the inside of the mattress (either from urine on foam or damp in poor storage conditions), has not sunk due to usage and you are able to wash the cover at 60°C, then you won't be passing the bacteria of one child on to the other and there is no problem in using the mattress for a second child.

However, if you have purchased a second-hand cot or you are in any doubt about the history of the mattress, then play safe and buy new.

Q: What are PurFlo cot mattresses made from?

A: The PurFlo cot mattress consists of a fully-permeable, fully-washable, foam-free mattress fitted over a hollow frame. It is made from polyester, which, because it is naturally fire retardant, doesn't require any sort of chemical treatment.

Q: How is my baby supported with a PurFlo?

A: The best way to describe it is a hammock type effect. However, it does give firm support to the head, back and legs.

Q: How does PurFlo differ from other anti-allergenic mattresses?

A: All experts say that for a healthy sleeping environment there should be no bacterial growth in the mattress. Many conventional mattresses have all sorts of safeguards in place to prevent bacteria getting to the core - but the PurFlo does not have a core, so it is risk free!

Q: Is it easy to wash the PurFlo mattress?

A: Yes. This is the same as all mattresses with machine washable covers - just remove the cover and put it into the washing machine at 60°C.

Q: Would you recommend using bedding with a PurFlo?

A: You can use the mattress without a sheet, but certainly a fitted or flat sheet will make the surface more comfortable. The current advice from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death Syndrome (FSIDS) is to avoid using loose bedding so a sleepsac is ideal.

Q: Does the PurFlo feel as soft as a conventional mattress?

A: Really this is its only downside - it does not have that 'cuddly squidgy kumfy wumfy feel'.

Q: Does the PurFlo mattress score well on breathability against conventional mattresses?

A: Yes. Its hollow surface allows the air to pass freely around the baby at all times, which is ideal for newborns where it is particularly important that they don't get too hot or cold. Conventional mattresses remove a lot of the foam insulation by having a sprung core.

Q: Is the PurFlo mattress easy to assemble?

A: It takes only a matter of minutes to assemble and is really handy if you are visiting family and the cot they have is the same size.

Q: What happens if something goes wrong with the PurFlo mattress?

A two-year manufacturer's warranty also comes as standard with all PurFlo products. If any problems do arise, simply contact a member of the Customer Services team and they will be more than happy to organise for a replacement to be sent to you.

Q: How deep is the PurFlo? Will it fit my cot-bed?

A: The mattress is 15cm deep whereas all conventional mattresses are 10cm deep to pass the British Standard. Therefore it is advisable that you do not have your cot base set at the top setting. If you use this mattress, it's best on the middle or lower setting.

Q: What happens to the urine or vomit that might have gone inside a conventional mattress?

A: If there was such an amount of fluid that the nappy, sleepsac, sheet etc could not cope with, then it would drip through the air holes in the cover to the base of the cot. PurFlo mattress owners leave a machine washable towel at the base of the cot should this occur. We have researched this and as yet we have not found one incident where this has happened! So full marks to the nappy, sleepsac and fitted sheet!

Finally, this was a great question sent in by a great grandmother who bought a cot mattress from us...

Q: In my day we used the same mattress for three children in both the cot and pram. In the pram the babies were outside, with snow on the ground, tucked up warm in the lovely fresh air. They all grew up to be fit and healthy. How did they survive without a modern day mattress?

A: All we can say is: "well, yes, you are right - we have just moved on a bit."