How to Choose The Right Moses Basket For My Family

Natural vs. Foam Base

Both natural coir and lambswool mattresses and foam baby mattresses offer distinct benefits, allowing parents to choose based on their priorities for comfort, support, and sustainability.

A natural mattress made from coir and lambswool provides enhanced support and durability. Coir, derived from coconut husks, is resilient and firm, promoting proper spinal alignment for your baby. At the same time, lambswool adds a soft, cushioning layer that creates a cosy and comfortable sleep environment. These natural materials are highly breathable, helping to regulate temperature and reduce the risk of overheating. In addition, coir and lambswool mattresses are eco-friendly, as they are made from renewable resources and biodegrade quickly, making them an ideal choice for environmentally conscious parents. The natural materials break down without harmful residues, minimising their impact on landfills.

On the other hand, foam baby mattresses offer a lightweight and affordable option that still provides sufficient support. Typically made from polyurethane, foam mattresses are easy to handle, clean, and fit into cribs or Moses baskets. They are known for their firm, even surface, which is important for infant safety and can mould to the baby's body for gentle support. While foam mattresses are not as breathable as natural options, they are widely available and often come with features like waterproof covers for added convenience. Though foam takes much longer to decompose and is less eco-friendly, it remains a practical, budget-friendly solution for many families.

Both mattress types offer important benefits: coir and lambswool focus on sustainability and long-lasting comfort, while foam mattresses provide affordability, ease of use, and adequate safety features.

Moses Basket Covers

To align with the natural theme, we supply our natural Moses basket mattresses with an Outlux cover. This cover is made from 92% cotton and 8% PU (polyurethane), with the PU layer sandwiched between two cotton layers for complete waterproof protection. Since only 8% of the cover is PU, we can legally classify it as a natural fabric.

We avoid supplying a 100% cotton cover, as it would not provide full waterproof protection. It's vital to safeguard the mattress core, whether foam or coir and lambswool.

For our foam mattresses, we use either microfibre or Coolmax® and Maxispace covers, both of which are breathable and help wick away heat. The Coolmax® and Maxispace covers also offer temperature control. Since these covers are not waterproof, we include a waterproof liner underneath for protection while maintaining full breathability.

The Environment: Landfill and Biodegradability

A natural mattress made from coir and lambswool offers significant environmental benefits compared to its foam counterpart. Coir is a sustainable, renewable resource that biodegrades quickly—often within just a few months under the right conditions. Lambswool, another natural material, decomposes relatively easily, breaking down into the soil without leaving harmful residues behind. Together, these materials form a mattress that, when discarded, can return to the earth in a short period, supporting eco-friendly waste management.

In contrast, foam mattresses, typically made from petrochemical-based materials, can take thousands of years to decompose fully. These synthetic materials do not break down naturally, contributing to the growing problem of landfill waste. Over time, foam mattresses can release toxic chemicals and microplastics into the environment, further exacerbating pollution and harming ecosystems.

By choosing a Moses basket mattress made from natural materials like coir and lambswool, you are making a responsible choice for both your baby and the planet. Not only are these mattresses biodegradable, but they also offer excellent support, breathability, and comfort. When paired with a waterproof, machine-washable cover, they remain hygienic and easy to clean, ensuring that the mattress can be reused for future children or passed on to others.

This level of durability and sustainability provides a far superior option to cheaper foam mattresses, which are often difficult to keep clean and typically end up in landfills after short-term use. With natural mattresses, you invest in a safe product for your baby and significantly reduce your environmental footprint, promoting a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.