Which mattress to choose
for a baby? when the cot is the whole world
In the first few months of life, the cot becomes the whole world for the baby. The mattress is one of its most important components: it supports the baby and helps him to develop properly.
When furnishing the baby's room, in addition to ensuring his complete safety, we are faced with the task of creating the right sleeping conditions for him. When choosing a mattress for the newborn, we must pay attention to two elements in particular: its firmness and the foundation. An adequately firm base will ensure proper conditions for the development of the tiny spine, and a filling made of safe, certified materials will help to avoid irritations and allergies, and will facilitate the creation of a safe, hygienic environment.
What mattress for a baby should you choose to meet their specific needs and help ensure their comfort, safety and harmonious development?
A MATTRESS FOR A NEWBORN BABY: WHAT FIRMNESS SHOULD I CHOOSE?
A mattress for a newborn baby will have a slightly different construction than one for adults or even slightly older children. This is all due to the specific proportions of the baby's body - especially its head, which is larger and heavier in the first months than its trunk, arms and legs. It is therefore essential to provide the right support to ensure the correct positioning of the neck and spine.
If the sleeping surface is too soft, the baby will start to sink into the mattress. An uncomfortable position will make it more difficult to fall asleep and, in time, may also have a negative impact on his body shape and muscle development. On the other hand, a mattress that is too firm will put pressure on the baby's body and make it uncomfortable - especially when the baby is lying on its tummy or on its side.
For a newborn, it is best to choose a mattress with a medium firmness level and several differentiated support zones. A healthy sleeping position is ensured by the springy and flexible Duo-Latex two-sided mattress. It has five well-distributed firmness zones that are tailored to the five spinal segments of the child's spine. This guarantees comfortable support for the baby's body and avoids uncomfortable hollows on the sleeping surface.
Double-sided baby mattresses are particularly convenient: thanks to several types of filling, they can be turned at will, adapting the firmness of the base to the needs of our baby.
NATURAL FILLING: NO ALLERGIES OR IRRITATIONS
When choosing a mattress for a baby, it is important to pay attention to the mattress core. Make sure it is made of natural and hypoallergenic materials that will not cause irritation on the baby's delicate skin and will not harm his respiratory system. Most commonly, mattresses have foam-coconut, coconut-latex or foam-coconut-latex inserts.
Coconut mats help to wick away moisture and promote proper air circulation, making the little one feel more comfortable. The coconut fibres also have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which helps maintain a high level of hygiene and protects against the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The coir layer also helps to maintain the shape of the mattress - it does not deform as quickly as a foundation made only of foam.
The use of an additional latex layer, in turn, supports the anti-allergic effect of the mattress. Natural latex does not cause the development of fungi, mould or dust mites, which is of great importance in the case of toddlers struggling with various diseases, e.g. of the upper respiratory tract. Latex also provides ideal support for the baby's spine - it is both resilient and flexible, which guarantees a comfortable and undisturbed sleep. Latex layers are also highly resistant to deformation. Thanks to this, the mattress will serve the child for a long time, guaranteeing stable support for the growing body and protecting against possible developmental defects of the spine.
HOW TO ADJUST THE SIZE OF A MATTRESS FOR A NEWBORN BABY?
The size of the mattress for a baby will of course depend on the dimensions of the baby's cot. It should fit perfectly - it should be neither too big nor too small.
An inappropriate size may result in a gap of a few centimetres between the bed frame and the mattress, in which the baby could get wedged. On the other hand, even a mattress that is a little too big, pushed forcefully into the cot, will bend, adversely affecting the sleeping position of the newborn.
The most common mattress sizes for newborns are 60x120 cm and 70x140 cm. Match the size of the mattress to your child's rate of growth: the first one will usually last until around 3 years of age, while the second one will comfortably accommodate even a 5-year-old child. So if you opt for a larger cot, your child will be able to use it for longer.
It is not only the length and width that is important, but also the height of the mattress for a baby. It is best to match it to the baby's weight. A Vario-Latex matt ress with a height of 13 cm will provide excellent support for a growing baby, but models with a height of 9 cm also work well for newborns with low body weights.
MATTRESS COVER: HEALTHY SLEEP WITHOUT STAINS AND DAMPNESS
Together with an anti-allergenic mattress pad that prevents the growth of bacteria, fungi or mould, we also need a suitable cover. It will help us keep the cot clean and hygienic. This is particularly important in the case of newborns, as their skin is extremely sensitive and prone to irritation.
For a baby mattress, look for a cover made of a pleasant-to-touch material that is breathable and also absorbent. This will prevent fluids and moisture from getting into the mattress. Ideally, the cover should be easily removable and washable if necessary. You do not have to search long for the right mattress cover - it is often included in the box set.
