How to choose a mattress for a newborn? Tips and examples. Which mattress is better for a child? Which mattress do you have for newborns?

It would seem that today there is nothing easier than choosing a mattress for a crib - technologies simply amaze the imagination, each manufacturer offers some kind of know-how ... But parents just spin their heads: on the one hand, from grandmothers and grandfathers who are sure that the child needs to sleep on "something softer", on the other hand, from the assurances of doctors who ask you to put your beloved child almost on a hard oak surface.

There are many innovative materials for the production of mattresses, which were not even dreamed of 10 years ago, but there are even more fakes. In this article, we will once and for all figure out what kind of mattress your child needs.

The firmness of a children's mattress depends on the age of the child.

From birth to 2-3 years old, the baby needs a moderately hard or even hard mattress... The little man is not yet strong, his bones are soft and pliable, and his muscles are not fully formed. By purchasing a hard mattress for a newborn, you will not harm the baby at all, but on the contrary, you will allow the spine to form correctly.

But don't think that a hard mattress equates to an oak surface, not at all. A mattress for a baby from birth to 2-3 years old must have an elastic surface. Sufficient firmness of the mattress means that it will not sag or buckle under the child's body.

Quite popular are two-sided models of mattresses for a crib. What is their essence? Doctors say that a firm foundation for sleep is especially important in the first 6-8 months of life. When the spine and muscles are already slightly formed, the baby can be transferred to a slightly softer surface. Therefore, double-sided children's mattresses with different sides of the firmness are very comfortable. For up to 8 months, the newborn sleeps on the hard side, and then the parents turn the mattress over and place the baby on the softer side.

Children from 3 years old buy moderately hard and medium hard elastic orthopedic mattresses. At this time, the bones are actively strengthened, and the child is already big enough to buy a bigger bed for him, which means a new mattress for her.

In general, doctors are right: a child from birth to graduation from school should not sleep on soft surfaces, i.e. orthopedic mattress should be hard or medium-hard.

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Fillers for children's mattresses

The filler of orthopedic mattresses determines the softness, firmness, elasticity, and safety of the product specifically for children. Mattresses for the little ones should be made of high quality natural materials... But if a child is susceptible to allergies, then some natural materials can cause him an undesirable reaction, and in this case, no less high-quality artificial fillers will come to the rescue.

In any case, fillers of children's mattresses should not have harmful fumes, caking, and must maintain the quality declared by the manufacturer during the entire period of service. The most popular materials for filling children's mattresses are coconut fiber, polyurethane foam, natural latex.

Orthopedists and pediatricians assure that a coconut mattress for a child is a guarantee of the correct growth of the skeletal system and the full development of the child's body.... Let's clarify that the name "coconut mattress" does not always mean that it is made from only one coconut coir. A quality coconut mattress combines a well-defined design with fillers that are selected exactly for the intended purpose. of this product... Coconut baby mattress from good manufacturers will evenly distribute the load on the spine and provide a restful sleep for the child.

Coconut fiber contains lignin, a natural polymer that gives it elasticity, keeps it from rotting and prevents it from absorbing moisture. In addition, coconut mattresses are perfectly breathable and ventilated, which is a guarantee that the microclimate inside the mattress is correct. Coconut coir is hypoallergenic, which means it is safe for children.

Note that coira is also different. Products with flaked coconut coir are cheap, but after a couple of months you may notice that the mattress has gone "in waves". To protect yourself from fakes and low-quality goods, do not buy dubious products of one-day manufacturers, buy a proven coconut mattress for a baby with all hygienic conclusions and quality certificates.

Latex Is a high quality natural material. It is obtained from the sap of the tropical Hevea tree. Natural latex has a cellular structure, thanks to which it is perfectly springy and restores its original shape. This structure of the material also provides it with excellent ventilation and air permeability. Latex is endowed with hypoallergenic, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, it does not absorb moisture, does not absorb dust and does not rot. Micro mites do not start in latex, its ability to maintain and quickly recover its shape makes latex an excellent orthopedic filler for children's mattresses.

Coconut mattresses with latex have medium hardness. Such mattresses for a child are not only comfortable, but also hygienic. Latex coconut coir is made from more expensive and high quality raw materials. Briefly describing the process, then coconut fibers are pressed and impregnated with natural latex, after which a durable, dense and resilient material is formed. Latex-filled coconut mattress for precise contouring human body, therefore, on such a mattress, your child is provided with a healthy, sound and deep sleep.

Polyurethane foam, abbreviated as polyurethane foam, aka artificial latex, was created to reduce the cost of natural latex. Of course, the analogue of latex is not as good as an expensive natural material, but nevertheless, we should pay tribute to PUF and admit that its properties are very close to natural latex. Polyurethane foam does not cause allergic reactions, it is environmentally friendly and fireproof. Like latex, polyurethane foam has a cellular structure and each of its cells acts as a mini-spring. This material "breathes" freely, provides a good orthopedic effect of rigidity / softness in the desired areas, protecting the child's spine from curvature.

But what should be avoided is foam or wadded mattresses.... These fillers are soft and not elastic enough, moreover, they absorb moisture well, creating a favorable environment for the development of bacteria. Cotton wool and foam rubber quickly crumble and collapse. On such a mattress, the baby will not receive proper orthopedic support. The only plus of wadded and foam mattresses is their low cost. However, experts agree that it is better to add a little and buy the most budget coconut mattress. It will be much more useful for the child.

The child will spend up to 70% of the time in a crib and sleep in it until the age of 2-3 years. A good, calm and healthy sleep of a baby largely depends on what kind of mattress is in his crib. The criteria for choosing bedding for such a crumbs are the most stringent. Therefore, the purchase of a mattress for a newborn should be treated with utmost attention.

A good and safe mattress should be:

• tough enough
• fit in size,
• well ventilated,
• hypoallergenic,
• environmentally friendly.

Rigidity

In newborn babies, the spine does not yet have anatomical curves. The neck bend is formed by the time the baby learns to hold the head firmly. A bend in the lumbar region forms by the end of the first year, when the baby begins to crawl and takes his first steps. The last bend is formed in the chest area. For this reason, it is important that the child sleeps on a firm mattress.

Smooth, solid surface contributes to the correct formation of all parts of the child's spine. In addition, on a mattress that is too soft, the child may suffocate if he rolls over onto his stomach. Therefore, a mattress for a newborn must be firm enough.

For babies over one year old, the mattress may be slightly softer. In addition, the child may refuse to sleep in the crib if it is too hard for him. therefore good decision there can be mattresses with two sides: the first is hard, and the second is slightly softer.

You can check how soft the mattress is by simply pressing down on it with your hand in the center and around the edges. Take your hand away and look at the surface. It should return to its original shape and there should be no dents from the hand.

The size

Before going to the store for a purchase, you need to measure the length and width of the crib from the inside.

Please note that the mattress should fit snugly around the edges. If it is smaller in size, it will slide, causing inconvenience to the child. Moreover, dust and debris will invariably accumulate in the resulting cracks.

It is allowed if the gap is no more than 1-1.5 cm - the mattress does not slip much, and it will be easy to remove it.

If the mattress turns out to be larger in size, then it will deform and will create inconvenience for the baby.

Typically, a standard crib mattress should be 60 cm by 120 cm and 5 to 12 cm thick.

Ventilation

The kid spends most of the time in the crib, and therefore the requirements for the hygiene of the mattress are high. It is very important that the mattress is well ventilated and does not accumulate moisture. Low air exchange rates lead to unpleasant odors and moisture build-up.

The cover of the mattress should be made of natural fabric that will allow the mattress to "breathe". IN Lately mattresses with jacquard covers appeared on the market. They are cheaper, but no worse than natural fabrics, they allow air to pass through. But note that there should be at least 40% of natural fibers in jacquard. Then, with good indicators of air permeability, such a cover will delight you with a longer service life.

It is also worth examining the surface of the mattress to see if it has small vents on the sides that allow air to circulate freely. This will also contribute to better ventilation of the mattress. It will not get damp and smell unpleasant.

Hypoallergenic

Sometimes manufacturers write that their mattresses with natural fillers do not cause allergies at all. But this is not true. Any material can cause allergies, be it natural or artificial. Therefore, no one can give a full guarantee that your child will not have an allergic reaction from the mattress.

Environmental friendliness

Make sure the mattress cover is free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is sometimes used for water resistance.

The children's mattress should not be treated with any harmful substances to improve its fireproof performance. It should also be free of glue and paint.

Buy a mattress only from a trusted manufacturer who cares about their reputation and is responsible for product quality.

How to choose a filler?

Which mattress is better for a newborn - with or without springs? Doctors recommend buying only a springless mattress for a crib. It will better support your baby's fragile spine.

Let's look at what fillers are in springless mattresses, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

You can often hear that a polyurethane foam mattress is better than foam rubber. However, this is not true, since polyurethane foam and foam rubber are the same... Foam rubber is the name of flexible polyurethane foam. In the USSR, the most common PPU on sale was the product of a Scandinavian manufacturer under the Porolon trademark. Hence the second name for this material appeared.

Twenty years ago, the quality of polyurethane foam mattresses was poor. They quickly sagged, became fragile and began to crumble. Since then, the quality of the foam has improved significantly and now they can last up to 5 years.

Polyurethane foam mattresses are generally the least expensive and lightest option. They come in various thicknesses, usually from 7 to 15 centimeters. More important than the thickness indicator is the density of the mattress. Better mattresses have more high density... Unfortunately, most PU foam mattresses do not have a specific weight on the packaging, so it is difficult to know exactly what you are buying. When in doubt, weight can be a good indicator: a heavier mattress will be denser than a mattress of the same size but lighter in weight.

Before buying, be sure to check how elastic the foam mattress of a particular model is. To do this, press your hand on the middle of the mattress, and then remove your hand and see how quickly it regains its shape. The faster the rate of recovery (leveling) of the surface, the better for the child. The sleeping baby puts pressure on the foam and it can be difficult for the baby to reposition itself if the mattress remains in shape.

Perhaps the most serious drawback of children's foam mattresses is the relatively high level of emitted volatile chemical compounds.

According to the results of research by scientists from the University of Texas at Austin (USA), children's polyurethane foam mattresses release about thirty complex volatile chemical compounds into the air, including the extremely dangerous 2-ethylhexanoic acid and phenol. The concentration of these harmful substances is comparable to that released from the new laminate flooring. For an adult, such fumes are relatively harmless, but for little child who spends most of their time in cribs can be unsafe. To reduce the level of harmful fumes from such a mattress, you need to ventilate the room where the child sleeps as often as possible.

Benefits:

• The most inexpensive filler.
• Light weight mattress.
• Wide range of models and sizes.

Disadvantages:

• The material is synthetic, it emits a fairly high level of harmful fumes.
• Absorbs moisture.
• Retains odors.
• Poor-quality polyurethane foam can begin to sag and crumble in a year.
• A new mattress may smell for a long time.

Coconut coir

Coconut coir is a popular filler for children's mattresses. This is primarily due to the fact that it has excellent elasticity. Most often, coconut fiber is additionally treated with latex, which makes the coir more durable and prevents the slab from crumbling.

Benefits:

• Excellent elasticity.
• Has a high level of breathability.
• Does not accumulate moisture.
• Does not retain odors.
• Rarely causes allergies.
• Durability.

Disadvantages:

• If treated with artificial latex, it may give off a rubbery odor.
• Higher cost than polyurethane foam models.

Latex

Natural latex is a natural and environmentally friendly material that is obtained from the sap of the Hevea palm tree. Latex has excellent elasticity and resilience. In addition, latex does not absorb moisture and does not melt at all, which is an important quality for baby mattress... It does not start dust mites and it rarely causes allergic reactions in children.

However, many parents are discouraged by the high cost of such mattresses. In addition, the latex mattress is quite heavy. Keep in mind that you will regularly lift the mattress when changing your baby's bedding. Therefore, do not choose a mattress that is too heavy and bulky.

Benefits:

• Elastic and resilient material, quickly regains its shape.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Natural.
• Good air permeability.
• Resistant to moisture.

Disadvantages:

• High cost. Latex is one of the most expensive materials.
• Quite a lot of weight.
• Limited choice of models.

Holofiber

Holofiber is an artificial material (100% polyester), but completely safe for babies. This material began to be used in the production of mattresses for newborns relatively recently, but it has already managed to perfectly recommend itself.

Benefits:

• Does not absorb moisture and does not shrink.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Easy.
• It quickly restores its original shape.
• Excellent air permeability.
• Virtually does not retain odors.
• Long lasting.
• Relatively inexpensive.

Disadvantages:

• The material is fully synthetic.

On sale you can often find mattresses with a combination of two fillers, in which one side is stiffer than the other. This is very convenient, since after a year the child can be put on the softer side and he will be more comfortable.

What should be the case?

Covers should not have rough seams, buttons, fasteners on the surface of the mattress, which will be in contact with the child's body. These details can be troublesome to your baby while sleeping.

Covers made of natural fabrics (linen or cotton) are best suited for newborns. They are pleasant to the touch, create an excellent microclimate, are easy to wash and dry quickly without losing their qualities.

Artificial fabrics, despite the fact that they remain attractive longer appearance, are completely unsuitable for newborns, as they impede ventilation and can create electrostatic electricity. If the fabric is mixed, then it must contain at least 40% natural fibers.

It is very important that the cover is removable. To make the cover washable, look for covers with a zipper located around the entire perimeter of the mattress, or at least on three sides. The zipper on one side is sewn in solely for the buyer to evaluate internal filling... In addition, after washing the fabric (especially from natural fibers) inevitably "shrinks". And, if the zipper is only on one side, pulling the cover again will be very problematic.

Be sure to test the fasteners in the store - try to remove the cover yourself. Make sure that the zipper is of high quality, made of durable plastic, does not jam, that excess threads do not stick out inside, which, when opening the zipper, can get into the "path" and lead to breakage.

Can the mattress be reused for another child?

Often, parents want to save money on buying a mattress. Especially when there are two children in a family, the baby often gets a mattress from an older child. This should not be done for several reasons.

1. 1 Using a used mattress is unhygienic. Any children's mattress will inevitably come into contact with urine, vomit, baby food, etc. Even if the mattress looks quite clean, there may still be pathogenic bacteria inside it.
2. 2 There may be dust mites inside. After three years, dust inevitably accumulates in the mattress, and there may also be dust mites. Despite the fact that all modern fillers for children's mattresses are resistant to dust mites, they can still be in it, as they feed on exfoliated skin.
3. 3 Loss of necessary elasticity. The mattress, like any thing, deteriorates over time. It loses its elasticity, begins to sag and dents appear on the surface.
4. 4 Increased risk of SIDS. In 2002, the British Medical Journal published a study that analyzed the connection between SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and baby mattresses. The study concluded that using used mattresses does increase the risk of child death, especially if the mattress is from a different home.

So it's better to save money on buying something other than a baby mattress. Since this is a really important purchase, your baby's health will depend on it.

We hope that our tips will help you arrange sleeping place child in accordance with all the rules and make him comfortable and safe.

When a small cozy bed has already appeared in the nursery, it is time to choose the right accessories for it. For someone, a beautiful but absolutely impractical canopy will turn out to be a basic necessity, someone, first of all, will think about buying protection on the walls of the bed. Meanwhile, incredible important condition good sleep baby is a well-mattress mattress. How to choose a mattress for a newborn? How long can he serve a child? These and other questions are of concern to many young parents.

mattress for newborn

Mattress requirements for the little ones

It is really worth considering the choice of a children's mattress, because a high-quality product bought even for a newborn can last for at least three years. Models made entirely of batting are slowly but surely losing ground in the modern market. However, even when buying the most fashionable and beautiful mattress, you always need to make sure that it has:

• Right size

The mattress intended for baby sleep should be the same size as the crib. If it turns out to be less than the perimeter of the crib, it will constantly move out and cause inconvenience to the child during sleep. The usual sizes are considered to be 120 by 60 cm. However, knowing the exact length and width of the bottom of the crib, you can choose a mattress that is slightly different from the standard one.

• High hygiene and safety

A newly born child will spend a lot of time in his crib, which means that the mattress for him should be well ventilated, have, if not a moisture-resistant coating, then at least a removable cover that can be easily removed and rinsed or even washed. Filler also plays an important role. The naturalness of the composition does not always mean that it is suitable for your child. the best way... For example, completely natural wool or felt can cause allergies in children. In addition, after a few leaks missed by mom, such fillers can emit an unpleasant odor over time.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the cover, which is mainly made of cotton fabric. It is important for a newborn that there are no rough seams, snakes, buttons and other details on the cover in places of contact with the body that can cause anxiety to the baby during sleep.

• Good orthopedic properties

We are not talking about the treatment of an already formed curvature of the spine, but only about ensuring that the mattress for the newborn has sufficient rigidity. Then the spine of the little toddler will take a natural position during sleep. Pediatricians strongly advise children not to sleep on a surface that is too soft, because in this case, the fragile spine can be deformed. A filler such as coconut fiber has proven itself well in this regard, which at the same time gives the mattress the necessary firmness and elasticity, absorbs odors well and allows air to pass through.

the right mattresses for newborn babies

After familiarizing yourself with the listed requirements for mattresses for newborns, you can safely determine the choice of model.

In order to figure out which one is best to choose a mattress for our newborn baby, you need to decide how long you plan to use the mattress:

Note to moms!

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1. The universal model without springs is suitable for the smallest babies, and for those who are already 3-4 years old.

mattress without springs

It can be based on coconut fiber or polyurethane foam, which is also considered an anti-allergenic and non-toxic material. Felt or wool can be used as an additional layer. In addition, there are also two-sided models. Different stiffness of the sides is intended for children of different ages: harder (coconut) - for newborns, more elastic (latex or polyurethane foam) - for children over one year old.

The mattress sometimes has an asymmetric shape (one side is thicker than the other), imitating the incubator in a maternity hospital, located at a certain angle. This is done to avoid choking the child at the time of spitting up. Which model to choose is up to the parents. In any case, one must remember that it is categorically not recommended to put a pillow under the head of a child under one year old for these purposes.

A cover made of natural cotton fabric (calico, chintz, jacquard) can be stitched with cotton wool for additional softness. Also, this material contributes to better air exchange in the heat. A snake or other fastener for removing the cover is usually located on the side.

2. Spring mattress.

mattress for children with springs

Positioned by manufacturers as a universal model for both a newborn and a child school age... However, it will still be more useful for children from one year old, who not only sleep on a mattress, but can actively frolic on it and even jump. Therefore, the size of such products is often already 190 by 90 cm (although there are also models of a traditional size). For a newborn, the presence of springs will not play a significant role due to the small weight of the child.

In addition to springs, the composition may contain a block of felt, coconut fiber, and polyurethane foam. An additional means of ventilation for such a mattress can be ventilation holes, called aerators. It can be frameless or have a frame that guarantees its shape retention for a long time.

table: choosing the right mattress

At the same time, if the mother decides to sleep together with the child for the first few months, then even the best mattress bought for a crib may not be needed at first. Then young parents should take care that in their own bed there is a sufficiently firm and at the same time elastic mattress that could support the baby in an anatomically correct position during sleep.

If you are faced with a choice of which mattress to choose for a newborn's crib, immediately dismiss the option with a grandmother's feather bed. The days of mattresses with down filling have sunk into oblivion, and now you will choose, if not hard, then a product of medium hardness.

The newborn spends most of the day in the crib, so there are serious demands on the mattress. What, now you will find out.

Mattress in the crib - what is important to pay attention to?

If you decide to buy a spring mattress, then choose a model with unconnected springs, or as it is called: with an independent spring block. This will last longer and will not sag like a hammock.

• Filler. Inside the mattress for a newborn, there can be both natural ingredients and artificial fiber. Among natural materials the most common are coconut fiber, wool, horsehair and natural latex. The artificial ones include foam rubber, cotton wool, struttofiber, polyurethane foam;

Each filler has its own strengths and weak sides, the main thing: that the material meets the standards and GOSTs.

• Surface. You know for sure that the material for the surface of the mattress should be made of natural fabrics, but this parameter is not enough. Satin and cotton are natural, but short-lived. A good option is a jacquard made of several layers. Another option is a double-sided mattress, one side of which is thin - summer, the other with insulation is ideal for winter.

It's a good idea to have an extra mattress topper that can be easily removed for washing. It will protect the mattress from unexpected leaks and dirt.

It is better for you to refuse various "useful" impregnations of the mattress topper. They can and will save you from pests and pollution, but they can also add problems in the form of allergic reactions.

Types of mattresses in the crib

As you have seen, there are plenty of variations of mattresses for a newborn, and their price is quite varied. Often, parents are motivated precisely by the price tag, forgetting about the baby's health. The cheap option is most often made of artificial materials, or it is made of poor quality and does not comply with GOSTs.

And so that you can choose the best way, let's look at what mattresses are.

Orthopedic mattress

For a newborn under one year old, an orthopedic mattress is absolutely unnecessary. In a crib, you need to buy a hard springless mattress;

1. Do not forget that in most cases, at this age, your baby sleeps with you in your bed, so you should pay attention to your mattress. It should be of medium hardness with an independent spring block, otherwise the newborn will roll and lie tilted like on a hammock, since your weight is much greater and the mattress will bend under you;

If you are interested in the question of how to transfer a baby to your bed, be sure to pay attention to our course How to transfer a baby to a separate bed? >>>

You need to carefully study the mattress certificate and make sure that the fibers are bonded together using natural latex. Such a coconut mattress for a newborn with latex will delight you for more than one year.

Cocoon mattress

1. Interesting thing, but not cheap. Designed for newborns up to 4 months, it is an ergonomically shaped oval mattress that you can carry with you from room to room, or put on your knees and rock your baby (did you know that at this age babies often start to sleep poorly? Why does this happen and what to do, learn from the article Sleep regression at 4 months >>>);
2. The newborn lies in a position that is as close as possible to the intrauterine position, the legs are bent and located above the body, and the head is slightly tilted forward;
3. Fabrics and fillers depend on the manufacturer, the price of the product is high. You can hear how positive reviews, and the opinion of mothers that it is quite possible to do without this mattress.

Structofiber as filler

• This fiber is a blend of wool and polyester. In its pure form, wool is not used, since it does not hold its shape and quickly cakes;
• Structofiber is just a part of the mattress filling, an interlayer that is used in double-sided products in the winter version;
• It allows air to pass through well, is hypoallergenic, retains heat, but is expensive at a price.

Horsehair mattress

1. Natural filler has several positive aspects: elastic, keeps its shape well and allows air to pass through, repels odors, but at the same time it is a relatively expensive component;
2. In addition, horsehair can cause an allergic reaction in your little one.

Latex

• There is a product that is made exclusively of latex. To ensure adequate ventilation, rods for air circulation are distributed throughout the mattress. No matter how elastic this mattress may seem to you, its rigidity is not sufficient for a newborn;
• This option is suitable for children over a year old (read the current article: How much should a child sleep at 2 years old >>>);
• Positive aspects: elasticity, resistance to moisture and odors, durability;
• But the weaknesses are the lack of rigidity for the newborn and the high cost.

Polyurethane foam

1. This material resembles latex in properties, but is an artificial filler. Despite this, polyurethane foam is hypoallergenic and resistant;
2. A mattress with such a filling is relatively cheaper than a latex one, lightweight and easy to carry;
3. But you should know that this type of mattress is not suitable for babies in the first year of life, therefore, as an option for your newborn toddler, you should refuse polyurethane foam mattresses.

There are many more variations of mattresses in a crib for newborns. Manufacturers combine several components, add impregnations, which should reduce the risk of allergies or the development of fungus. But you must remember that there are GOSTs and requirements for products, demand a quality certificate.

Baby mattress care rules

• In order for the mattress in the crib to serve as long as possible, you need to periodically ventilate and vacuum the product. It is necessary to ensure that moisture does not get inside, and when peeing, wipe it as soon as possible wet place and dry it.
• A product with a spring block must not be rolled up;
• Coconut is dried only dry;
• And wadded air is at least 1 time per month;
• All products need to be turned over from time to time.

Do not forget that no matter how good the mattress in the crib is, and no matter how comfortable the baby sleeps there, nature has not come up with anything better than sleeping with you together. So you will always be on the lookout and will be able to protect both sleep and the waking minutes of the newborn.