Which mattress should you choose for your baby?
Are you about to welcome your first baby? First of all, congratulations! Now it's time to start packing your little one's things. And that's not always an easy task, especially when it comes to choosing a mattress for the first few sleeps. There are many different types of baby mattress (with different dimensions, components, etc.).
Discover our top tips for choosing your baby's mattress!
The right size baby mattress
Choosing the right baby mattress is essential for your little one's comfort. At the beginning of their lives, toddlers can sleep up to 18 hours a day. So they spend most of their day on their mattress! The most important thing is to buy a mattress that exactly matches the size of the cradle or bed, to avoid baby slipping between the sides of the cradle and the edges of the mattress.
Good to know: the standard dimensions of the mattresses correspond perfectly to the dimensions of the standard cots.
If you have a 60 x 120 cm cot (for children aged 0 to 5), choose a 60 x 120 cm mattress. If the bed is 70 x 140 cm (for children aged 0 to 7), opt for a 70 x 140 cm mattress. Simple, isn't it?
What thickness for a baby mattress?
Contrary to what you might think, it's not the thickest mattresses that are the most comfortable for baby.
As newborns are very light, there's no need to choose a mattress that's too thick or too firm. When baby moves on to a full-size bed, you can choose a mattress that offers better back support.
The LOUNA cradle-swing, for example, has a mattress that is neither too hard nor too soft. Perfect for babies from birth to 3 years!
The different materials used in baby mattresses
There are different materials available for cots. They all have their advantages, but here are a few explanations to help you make your choice.
Latex matelas
First of all, latex is highly appreciated for its hypoallergenic and mite-proof properties. It's a soft, flexible material that follows baby's movements.
The natural coconut fibre mattress
Coconut fibre is well ventilated, and just as mite-proof and hypoallergenic as latex. This noble, natural material is very popular for ecological reasons, but also because it evacuates moisture during the night (perspiration, small and large leaks, etc.).
Many baby mattress manufacturers offer mixed mattresses, in both coir and latex, to combine the best of both worlds.
Polyurethane foam mattresses
You can also opt for a polyurethane foam mattress, which adapts well to baby's body. This type of mattress gently supports changes in position. What's more, it's a very lightweight material, which comes in handy when you need to replace soiled sheets in the cot, whether it's a swing, a classic cot or a multi-function cot.
The ideal density of a baby mattress
Checking density is also an important criterion for choosing the right baby mattress. It's important to remember that the density does not indicate how firm the mattress is, but how supportive it is. It's vital that the mattress supports your little one's spine. As with an adult mattress, density is measured in kg/m3, and the higher it is, the better the child's body is supported.
However, you shouldn't choose a mattress that's too hard for newborns, as this could lead to flat head syndrome, which affects up to ¼ of newborns. As babies' skulls are still fragile and they spend most of their lives lying down, there is a risk of them becoming deformed. Fortunately, plagiocephaly can be treated with re-education, movement and even cranial orthoses, but the ideal solution is to ensure that the newborn is sleeping well from the very first days.
Conversely, the density of the mattress should not be too low either, so that the child does not sink or lose its balance when sitting up.
The ideal mattress density is between 20 and 30 kg/m3.
The Magic Dodo crib's thick box spring mattress is perfect for alternating different positions throughout the day. It is ideally designed for babies from 0 to 6 months.