How to choose a mattress for a newborn, tips for choosing

Crib mattress: what is important to pay attention to

When choosing a mattress for a newborn, you need to decide on four key parameters: size, filler, hardness and surface type. The design used must correspond to the size of the bed and have a service life of at least 3 years. The optimal size is 120 x 60 cm, but there are exceptions. Therefore, before visiting the store, you need to measure the crib and write down the results.

For children under 3 years of age, mattresses with increased rigidity are recommended.
Models with springs and orthopedic surfaces are not needed. After all, a newborn child’s musculoskeletal system is just beginning to form, so staying on a soft surface threatens the development of incorrect posture and scoliosis. The mattress should be well ventilated and also have a moisture-resistant coating or a special cover that can be easily removed for washing. When choosing a filler, you should give preference to those materials that do not cause allergies, do not absorb unpleasant odors and do not lose their initial properties during prolonged use. Some natural options are unacceptable because... they cause the development of an allergic reaction. Among them:

1. Wool.
2. Felt.

Also, mattresses for newborns should have good orthopedic properties. This is necessary to maintain the spine in the correct position and prevent problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Advice from experienced mothers

1. A spring mattress is not recommended for infants. Today's range of mattresses for newborns will allow you to choose a good springless mattress at an affordable price.
2. Before choosing a mattress for a newborn, try on the crib - it is necessary that the size of the mattress be a couple of centimeters smaller in width and length.
3. Try not to save too much on such a purchase: the health of your baby depends on it.
4. It would be correct if you check that the manufacturer is certified and the product meets safety standards.

Types of crib mattresses

There are a large number of crib mattresses available on the market. They differ in both price and properties. Many parents pay attention to the first indicator, risking the health of the baby. Budget models of sleeping surfaces are made from low-grade raw materials, are made of poor quality or do not meet the GOST standard. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to carefully study the features of each type of mattress.

Orthopedic mattress

When looking for the best mattress for newborns, you need to buy hard, springless models.
An orthopedic design is absolutely not necessary for a child under three years of age. It is also important to remember that at an early age, children often sleep with their parents, which forces them to choose a suitable surface. It should have a medium degree of rigidity, be equipped with an independent spring unit, and not cause allergies. But experts recommend abandoning spring products in favor of models with elastic filling.

Cotton

Mattresses with cotton filling are considered the least popular. They quickly absorb moisture, creating favorable conditions for the life of parasites, lose their original shape, and sometimes cause allergies. The advantages of batting-based structures include:

• Affordable price.
• Minimum weight.
• Safety for the health of the baby (provided that the mattress contains no harmful additives).

But there are also negative sides. First of all, it is increased softness and low hygiene.

Foam mattress

Products based on foam rubber are affordable and lightweight. But these are all their advantages. Otherwise, such mattresses roll up into a bundle, lose their original shape and absorb any moisture. As it is used, dangerous fungi and bacteria develop inside the filler, causing infectious diseases.

Coconut mattress

One of the best solutions for a newborn is a coconut mattress. The filler material has a natural composition, moisture resistance and good ventilation. It does not retain odors and has the required degree of rigidity. But the properties of the mattress directly depend on the quality of production. Unscrupulous manufacturers join the fiber using stitching, which leads to crumbling of the raw material.

Cocoon mattress

It represents a new solution on the children's mattress market in the form of an oval cocoon that can be moved from one part of the house to another, placed on your lap or taken into the car. Due to the correct shape, the baby will rest in a position that resembles the intrauterine position. The composition of fabrics and filler is determined by the manufacturer.

Struttofiber as a filler

This fiber is a mixture of wool and polyester raw materials. It is unacceptable to use wool in its pure form, because... it loses its shape and cakes. In turn, struttofiber does not absorb moisture, does not cause allergies and has good thermal insulation properties. But models based on this material are not cheap.

Horsehair mattress

The filler is characterized by good elasticity, retains its original shape for a long time, is well ventilated and does not accumulate unpleasant odors. But mattresses with horsehair are not cheap, and they cause allergies in some infants.

Latex

Models with latex filling are in great demand. This is due to their elasticity, moisture resistance and long service life. However, the material cannot provide the required rigidity and is quite expensive.

Polyurethane foam

Sleeping surfaces based on polyurethane foam are in many ways similar to latex models. But such raw materials have an artificial composition and are not suitable for children under 1 year of age. The advantages of the filler include hypoallergenicity and moisture resistance.

Holofiber

The filler has medium hardness, is protected from water penetration, but is well ventilated, and is also not afraid of intense loads.
Caring for a holofiber mattress is easy, and its resistance to deformation makes it the best solution in its price category. But such sleeping surfaces can only be used for children under the age of 3-4 years.

Hypoallergenic

From this point of view, the best option is coconut flakes. Reviews from parents on forums say that horsehair can cause a rash on a child's skin.

Wool and natural latex can also cause allergies, despite their natural origin.

Before purchasing, you need to read the product certificates to make sure that it does not contain synthetic fabrics or impregnations that can cause allergies. You need to choose a children's mattress responsibly, because it affects the child's health.

USEFUL INFORMATION: Orthopedic mattress for spinal hernia: which one to choose?

Criterias of choice

To choose the right mattress for a crib, you need to take into account a number of requirements and criteria. You will also need a consultation with a specialist who will help you make the right decision.

Rigidity

When choosing a sleeping surface for an adult, the key criterion is the degree of rigidity.
In the case of children's mattresses, this issue remains secondary. From the moment of birth until the age of four, a child should sleep on a moderately hard surface. Only by the age of 2-3 years will the baby develop an S-shaped curvature of the spinal column, after which it is better to avoid the use of soft structures. But the degree of rigidity should be comfortable. Otherwise, the baby will not be able to rest properly, will be capricious and feel discomfort.

Size

There is a generally accepted classification of crib sizes. Depending on these values, the size of the mattress is determined:

• 140x70 cm.
• 125x65 cm.
• 120x60 cm.

Before visiting a mattress store, you need to measure the length, width and depth of the bed base. The optimal thickness of the mattress surface should be from 8 to 15 cm.

Ventilation

An important property of a children's mattress is breathability.
The degree of ventilation is determined not only by the type of filler, but also by the mattress covering. The best performance is typical for products made from cotton, as well as combined options based on wool and polyester. Mattresses with a cotton cover are recommended for newborn babies.

Hypoallergenic

The safest material with a low probability of causing allergies is coconut coir. Other natural materials, including horsehair and wool, can cause rashes on the baby's skin. Before purchasing a mattress, you need to familiarize yourself with the quality certificates.

Environmental friendliness

This characteristic is determined by the composition of the filler. For small children, mattresses filled with coconut, seaweed, flax or horsehair are recommended. Natural raw materials have good breathability, are protected from moisture penetration and do not emit toxic substances during operation.

Hygiene

The baby spends a significant part of his time in the crib. Therefore, an important criterion for choosing a mattress is its hygiene. The design should not absorb unpleasant odors or cause an allergic reaction. A good filler should “breathe” and allow air to pass through. And it doesn’t have to be natural.

Baby bathing mattress

To prevent the bathing process from becoming stressful for the baby, the mother always has to support his body with her hands. The child is not yet accustomed to the fact that water is no longer his habitat and can easily turn over. At best, this leads to water entering the ears. And if water gets into the respiratory tract, the child may choke. Bathing mattresses help make bathing safe and comfortable.

The waterproof device is made of synthetic materials that do not react with water. The case is usually made of polypropylene and filled with polystyrene balls consisting of air-filled bubbles. Thanks to the polystyrene filler, the mattress takes the shape of the baby's body. During bathing, the floating pad is slightly submerged - the baby is partially submerged in the water, and the head is securely placed on the pad. The EasyBath mattress for bathing a child weighing 3–8 kg costs 650 rubles.

To summarize, it should be noted: children of all ages, including newborns, are best suited for combined mattresses in the middle price range. They optimally combine the positive properties of natural and artificial components, creating the desired orthopedic effect. When purchasing, they pay special attention to the environmental friendliness and hygiene of materials and study the certificate.

Are springs needed?

If the crib was purchased for growth, the mattress should have an orthopedic effect. Depending on the type of springs, there is the following classification of spring mattresses:

• With dependent block "Bonnel".
• With independent block.

Dependent spring block

Representatives of the first group have the same degree of rigidity, which makes them a useful solution for infants. However, the service life of such products is relatively short. As they are used, they begin to creak, become deformed and lose their shape. But a significant advantage of mattresses with a dependent block is their affordable cost.

Independent spring block

Models with an independent spring block have good orthopedic properties. They maintain the anatomically correct position of the spine due to the “wave effect” and are characterized by good rigidity. The quality of the surface is determined by the number of springs per square meter. The average model is equipped with 256 springs, and more elite solutions contain up to 512 springs.

Hardness degree

The rigidity of mattresses for a newborn crib depends on the degree of elasticity of the springs in the block or the composition of the filling. There are three groups: soft, medium hard, hard. According to the European system, hardness is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 indicating the maximum softness of the sleeping area.

The division by softness and hardness is as follows:

1. Hard - models made of coconut coir. They are intended for children from birth: their spine is straight, irregularities at this age are contraindicated. Such recommendations are given by orthopedists and pediatricians. If you are looking at spring mattresses for a newborn crib, pay attention to the density of the springs. You need values ​​of 250 per square meter - this design provides the necessary elasticity and support. A less rigid surface is indicated at the age of six months to a year. To do this, you can purchase a mattress pad as a second layer;
2. Medium hardness. They are indicated for children at an age when the formation of the S-shaped curve of the infant’s spine has been completed. Then options with hard filler are contraindicated. On the contrary, the surface should follow the shape of the body, provide anatomical support and the correct position of the spine;
3. Soft - made of holofiber, polyurethane foam, latex. These models are for adults only. If your baby is more comfortable with a softer sleeping place, choose a combined composition. For example, a combination of latex and polyurethane foam.

Useful options

After you decide which mattress your newborn should sleep on, pay attention to useful “accessories.” They make care easier and improve safety. These include:

1. Impregnation of the cover and filler with anti-mite, antimicrobial, antifungal, dustproof, fire-fighting compounds;
2. Handles for turning over;
3. Cover with bi-directional pile that prevents movement;
4. A case with an “anti-stress” effect, which contains copper microparticles, neutralizes electrostatic stress. This effect ensures a comfortable and restful sleep for the baby.

What kind of cover should it be?

Most children's options come with removable or non-removable covers.
Initially, it seems that the first option is more in demand due to its ease of care. However, the removable surface is not able to fit tightly to the mattress, which leads to its deformation. After washing, the cover shrinks noticeably, so problems arise when re-attaching it to the sleeping surface. Non-removable products are securely sewn and fixed to the mattress, which makes it more durable.

Which mattress manufacturer should you give your money to?

Children's mattresses of all types are widely represented on the Russian market. Almost all leaders of the domestic mattress market produce children's versions: these are Askona, Ormatek, Afalina, Dreamline, Plitex and others. Their products are distinguished by a wide variety of fillers and a wide price range: from 2 to 15-18 thousand rubles. In addition, some manufacturers of children's products ( Sweet Baby, Vikalex, Italbaby, Pali, Ecobaby , etc.) offer consumers high-quality bed mattresses. Finally, well-known European brands produce premium children's products. Their mattresses are the most technologically advanced, but also the most expensive.

After comparing the characteristics of the products and evaluating real reviews from parents, we came to the conclusion that among domestic children’s mattresses there are many worthy options that successfully combine high quality and affordable price. Often the materials used in them are certified according to European and international standards, and the equipment and production technologies are not inferior to foreign ones.

Tips for choosing a mattress for a child

In order not to make a mistake when choosing a children's model, you need to take into account the key requirements and selection tips.
First of all, it is important to choose the optimal surface size that will correspond to the size of the crib. You also need to make sure that the filler is safe and hygienic. The material should not cause an allergic reaction, absorb moisture or unpleasant odors. The degree of hardness of a children's mattress is selected taking into account the age of the baby. For infants, models with increased rigidity are recommended, because... they will maintain the correct position of the spine, reducing the likelihood of deformities and problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Cocoon mattress for newborns

An ergonomic innovation proposed by French neonatologists is becoming increasingly popular. A cocoon mattress is used in the first trimester of a child’s life to more easily adapt it to new living conditions after the prenatal period. When laying the baby down, the soft mattress completely reproduces the shape of his body, taking into account the rounding of the spine, characteristic of babies. When the child is in a cocoon, his position is the most physiological, which provides the following benefits:

• decreased muscle tone, which interferes with harmonious physical development;
• weakening of colic, which often bothers infants;
• reducing the likelihood of asymmetry and flattening of the skull - these deformations are possible when using a regular mattress;
• improving sleep quality;
• stimulation of the development of general motor skills and coordination of movements, as the child freely touches his face, brings his hands to his mouth, and does not experience the fear of falling;
• expanding contacts with the outside world - the baby easily turns his head and sees everything that is around him.

The cocoon is made of a material that is a mixture of polyurethane and polyamide. Included with the mattress are a special limiter for adjusting the size, a cotton cover and a safety belt (it does not hinder the baby’s movements at all). The cocoon is produced in several sizes:

• 1st – for very premature babies, used in a neonatal center;
• 2nd – for children whose weight is less than 2.7 kg;
• 3rd – for children weighing more than 2.7 kg, used from birth to 4 months of age.

Rules for caring for a children's mattress

In order for the purchased mattress to last as long as possible, you need to follow the general recommendations for caring for such a product.
First of all, all sleeping surfaces need thorough ventilation. The procedure is carried out over several hours or the whole day. It is imperative to wash the mattress cover (cover), and also turn the product from one side to the other, provided that they have the same properties.

Regardless of the type of filling, after purchasing a mattress, you need to remove the packaging from it. Otherwise, air exchange will be disrupted and the structure will emit an unpleasant odor.

There are a wide variety of crib options available for sale. To make the right choice of such a design, it is important to take into account the advice of experts and have a good understanding of the features of all existing types.

Springless mattresses: features, disadvantages, advantages

According to experts, springless types of base for a baby’s crib are preferable to spring models. There are a number of quite logical explanations for this: they do not accumulate dust, they weigh less and do not hold together, they can use several types of filler, the baby will never break the spring when jumping in the crib (due to its absence), they do not have voids inside, they are cheaper, than products with a spring block. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the high cost of some types of filler, but in any case, a similar spring product will still be more expensive.

For a newborn you need to choose a hard mattress.

Dimax Sportsman Plus with different hardness

For children from 5 to 14 years old. Price Dimax Sportsman Plus — 17,607 ₽ for 80×190

Another model for children over 5 years old. It is no coincidence that the springless teenage mattress from Dimax with a height of 13 cm is called “Sportsman Plus”. In order for a child to be able to rest more effectively after physical activity, the back must be in the correct position during sleep. This will help the muscles relax faster.

Sleeping on a hard surface, in the absence of contraindications, is beneficial for all teenagers - not only for those who are actively involved in sports. Long hours at a desk and doing homework also negatively affect your posture. The Dimax orthopedic mattress will help keep her beautiful and healthy.

Double-sided rigidity will allow you to change the level of orthopedicity of the sleeping place by simply turning the mattress over. The side with natural latex is softer and more anatomical - a height of 3 cm is enough to provide good back support and sleep comfort. The hardest side is formed by a slab of coconut fiber. The 3 cm high coconut guarantees the most effective orthopedic back support. Change the hardness of your child’s mattress depending on his wishes or if you want to teach him to sleep on a hard one from childhood.

Dimax Super Sonya made from natural materials

For children from birth to 7 years. Price Dimax Super Sonya - 6,440 ₽ for 60×120

A sandwich construction mattress consisting of 2 cm high layers of coconut fiber and latex. These are durable, breathable, natural materials of high quality. A baby crib made of solid wood and a natural mattress is the right choice for the healthy development of a child from birth to seven years.

The sandwich design allows you to change the firmness of the mattress. The side with the coconut flooring layer is the hardest - a child under 3 years old should sleep on it. Afterwards, the rigidity can be reduced by turning it over to the side with latex - it better adapts to the curves of the body, therefore it is more comfortable for sleeping. The mattress can be made softer as the child grows older or if he has difficulty sleeping on a hard surface. Model height: 9 cm.

Traumeland Snowflake

A special feature of the Austrian springless mattress Traumeland is its filler, the so-called cold foam. This is a synthetic porous material with high anatomical characteristics. Provides proper support for the child's back, allows air to pass through and prevents the growth of bacteria and dust mites.

And the special material of the cover retains moisture, distributing it over the surface of the material and not allowing it to penetrate into the mattress. The cover is removable and can be easily washed at home.

Advantages:

• modern materials;
• orthopedic properties;
• made in Austria;
• does not contain toxic substances.

Disadvantages: high cost.

The average price is 8,000 rubles.

Traumeland Snowflake prices: