What is the best mattress for a baby crib?

Children's sleep is the key to the correct development of the baby, which is especially important in the first years of life. In order for the baby to grow up healthy, he needs to provide a good sleeping place from birth, where the mattress plays the main role. Today, there is a huge selection of products on sale, so the important task for parents is to select a mattress of the appropriate quality, size and design.

Preparatory activities prior to the birth of a baby are priority issues for parents. A sleeping place is of primary importance in the nursery. The calmness and sleep of the child will directly depend on its location and configuration, therefore the selection of a mattress is extremely important.

For a very long time it was believed that a soft bed is the best option for a baby.However, thanks to medical research, it became obvious that a child, especially an infant, needs a hard place to sleep, since only in this case the child's spine will be able to form correctly.

Such orthopedic products are the most popular among the entire list of mattresses. This is due to the configuration features, where there are no springs inside, which makes them safer. A variety of fillers act as an inner layer, the type of which determines the degree of rigidity of the product. Orthopedic mattresses allow you to properly position yourself in bed without unnecessary bending of the body, which eliminates the risk of curvature of the spine of the newborn.

Such products include two subtypes - classic products and models containing independent blocks. The first type of product is not recommended by modern pediatricians for arranging a child's sleeping place, since they sag under the weight of the body, and the child's spine is bent along with them.

The second option can be used in the nursery, as the products are able to repeat the curves of the body and perfectly support the back. However, they have age restrictions - experts recommend purchasing such products for children over 12 years old.

Universal options for children, since they can be used for a long period. The more elastic side is used for babies; after reaching 3 years of age, the mattress can be placed in the child's bed with the other side.

Such products are made in such a way that one side accumulates heat better, therefore it is used in the cold season, and the other, on the contrary, provides good air circulation.

Modern products that have a somewhat non-standard design. The product is made in the shape of an oval with a deep inner area. Such a structure provides the baby with conditions close to those in which he spent 9 months.

This berth has a multifunctional purpose., since most often it contains special clamps and handles, which make the mattress quite mobile. The product can be used up to four years of age.

An important point regarding the classification of mattresses is the type of filler used.

The following materials are used for springless products.

Semi-synthetic raw material that has some resemblance to natural wool. Refers to products of medium hardness, does not cause allergies.

The cellular synthetic material, due to its structure, perfectly permeates air and is distinguished by the fact that it is able to restore a flat surface after use. When using such a mattress, the level of firmness is concentrated on important areas of the newborn's body, which helps to properly shape the baby's spine.

It is a natural raw material, which stands out for its good density, and at the same time elasticity, which is important for relieving muscle tone and the possibility of a good rest for the child. Such a product does not provoke allergic reactions, in addition, it allows air to pass well and blocks the development of harmful microorganisms inside.

It can also be used in spring products. Most often, this raw material is used as a filler together with other materials. Such products are distinguished by their long service life and elasticity.

Completely natural raw materials, this filler is hypoallergenic and hygroscopic, the material is also able to control and create a microclimate appropriate for the season.

As for the size, a 60x120 cm children's mattress is considered to be the basic standard unit. However, foreign products, especially European ones, offer slightly different sizes - 70x140 centimeters, and even 65x130 centimeters. The height of mattresses usually varies between 10-15 centimeters.

For non-standard-shaped cots, manufacturers additionally manufacture products for these sizes. Parents should pay attention to the fact that the size of the mattress must exactly match the crib, otherwise there is a risk of traumatic situations, as well as the formation of depressions and creases on the product, which can harm the child's spine.

Since modern brands offer parents a large selection of newborn mattresses, when buying, you should pay special attention to the following important qualities of the product.

• Hypoallergenic. Children's products must have quality certificates, since the harmlessness of the material will directly affect the health of the baby, the state of his epidermis and respiratory tract.
• Product hardness level. In this matter, it is necessary to observe the measure, too soft a surface will lead to a curvature of the spine, in addition, excessive softness is dangerous for the baby, since he can suffocate during sleep. Products that will have medium rigidity will support the baby's fragile body in the correct condition, combining benefits with a pleasant springiness.
• Orthopedic effect. This is a prerequisite for a children's mattress. Such products will allow you to maintain a physiologically correct posture in a dream, as well as relieve the likelihood of posture and back problems in the future.
• Breathable properties of materials. The raw materials used for the production of mattresses for newborns can be made from artificial and natural materials, however, they must be breathable.
• Dimensions. The permissible deviation from the size of a children's bed should be no more than two centimeters.
• Convenience in product care. It is worth choosing options that are easy to clean, in addition, withstand frequent contact with feces or dairy products. The best choice is a mattress with a removable cover made of a material that can withstand frequent washings.

As for age, up to one year, the baby's bed should be as hard as possible. From a year to three, the degree of hardness of the mattress can be reduced. The category of exceptions includes babies who have contraindications from an orthopedist to sleep in a soft bed.

A cover is required for a baby mattress.

To choose the right product, you can adhere to the following recommendations:

• it is best to use mattress toppers with elastic around the edges, which will not roll off the mattress;
• fabric with a waterproof layer will be optimal for a newborn;
• water-repellent diapers can also temporarily act as a cover.

Among the large list of brands engaged in the manufacture of children's products, it is worth dwelling on the manufacturers who, according to reviews, deserve the highest marks for the quality of products.

Domestic products, which are completely free of glue. Mattresses can be made on the basis of natural and artificial materials, most often the products include several layers, which ensures the correct position of the baby's body while in bed. The basic set includes a mattress topper.

Recommended by pediatricians for newborns prone to allergic reactions. For manufacturing, foam rubber slabs are used, which pass dust and water well.

The product is produced using latex and coir or cotton. The mattress has an ideal level of firmness and a very comfortable removable cover.

A versatile mattress that can be used from birth up to four years of age. Cold foam acts as a filler. The product has elastic sides and a high-quality cover.

After purchasing a suitable mattress option, you should ensure its durability.

To do this, you must follow fairly simple rules for caring for the product.

• The specificity of the use of products involves the contact of the product with a humid environment, therefore, the mattress should be regularly dried and ventilated, regardless of the materials from which it is made. The best moment for this will be a sunny day. However, when performing these tasks, it should be borne in mind that the product can only be placed in a horizontal position, sometimes changing the side on which sunlight will fall.
• It is forbidden to knock out dust from the mattress. In order to clean it from the accumulated particles of dust and dirt, it will be enough to vacuum the product from all sides once a month.
• For greater convenience, you should additionally purchase several pieces of spare covers so that you can always wash the dirty one and quickly replace it with a new one. Mattress toppers with ties, zippers or elastic bands are very convenient to use.
• Double-sided models with different levels of rigidity are turned over when the child reaches a certain age, for the rest of the products it is worth changing position from time to time.
• Transportation of products is allowed only in a horizontal state. As for the options with springs, they must not be folded, since in this position the structure can be damaged.
• Surface stains must be removed with special children's products that do not contain chlorine.
• Coconut mattresses must not be wet cleaned; caring for such products requires airing and dry cleaning.
• Mattresses filled with batting can be dry cleaned, but cleaning should be done with minimal moisture.
• Models where only one side is rigid should be turned over, reversing the position of the mattress relative to the child's head.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion about children's mattresses is in the next video.