The appearance in the family of the baby completely changes her way of life and makes the newly-made parents look at many things differently. First of all, they are worried about the comfort of the crumbs, for the sake of which they are ready to spend large sums of money, buying newborn household items and clothes widely advertised by television and friends. However, not always these things turn out to be the best, and especially the question of choosing a mattress in a crib for a newborn raises a lot of questions. This accessory is considered one of the most important acquisitions, because the baby in the first year of life will spend most of his time on it. Therefore, the purchase of this item must be treated with great responsibility and seriousness. Today we will talk in detail about how to choose a mattress for a newborn and what materials should be discarded in order to maintain the health of your baby.
A few words on the topic
Caring mothers and fathers want to definitely buy the best mattress for a newborn, but often do not know what characteristics to focus on. In addition, they are lost in the recommendations received from relatives and friends. Grandmothers actively advocate that the baby sleep on something soft and comfortable. Friends advise a lot of new-fangled mattresses such as a cocoon, the purpose of which is not always clear to parents. And they themselves simply can not stop at anything specific, once in a children's store and listening to the comments of sales managers. In reality, having posed the question “how to choose a mattress for a newborn”, you need to focus on just a few basic characteristics:
- the size;
- degree of rigidity;
- filler;
- cost.
Other nuances can be considered as additional nuances: ventilability, orthopedics, hypoallergenicity and the presence of a mattress cover. All of these characteristics are determinative, so when buying a mattress, parents should compare them among themselves. We will talk about these nuances in as much detail as possible so that readers can decide for themselves which mattress is best for a newborn.
Size range
The sizes of children's mattresses can be completely different, so before going to the store, be sure to measure the crib of the future crumbs. Do not think that there is a single standard. A baby sleeping place can have at least four common sizes (cm):
- eighty to one hundred and sixty;
- sixty by one hundred and twenty;
- sixty five by one hundred twenty five;
- seventy for one hundred and forty.
Any of the listed sizes of children's mattresses will be convenient for the crumbs, but keep in mind that it should be approximately two centimeters smaller than the berth itself. In this case, it will be convenient for you to get the mattress out of the crib if necessary and change the mattress cover.
Some parents believe that there is nothing wrong with the fact that the size will be slightly larger than the berth. However, this is an erroneous opinion, because if the mattress is larger than the bed itself, then it will bend, and the baby has every chance to earn a curvature of the spine. In addition, the baby will be worried and sleep poorly, which means that no other family members will see peace.
You should not choose a mattress and much smaller than a crib. From the movements of the crumbs, he will fidget, and in the gaps a curious child can put his finger in and hurt himself.
Degree of hardness
Thinking about how to choose a mattress for a newborn, parents often experience great difficulties in determining the necessary rigidity of the product. Grandmothers usually oppose rigid models and actively condemn their children, who are ready to put their beloved child on something solid. But experts in the field of pediatrics unanimously advocate for the rigidity of the mattress for the newborn. Moreover, the baby, just born, should sleep on a tougher surface, after six to eight months the crumb can be completely transferred to another mattress. But it should not be soft, otherwise a lot of problems await the child:
- down mattresses, which grandmothers advise, often become an excellent habitat for ticks that cause allergies;
- the newborn has a very soft skeleton and is characterized by the absence of a muscular corset, so a soft surface causes scoliosis;
- There are known cases of strangulation of crumbs with an excessively soft mattress when turning on the stomach.
The most comfortable mattress for a newborn is one that has medium rigidity. This category includes some spring products, as well as latex and coconut mattresses. Combined models are also great for newborns, in which one side is slightly stiffer than the other. In this case, the mattress will serve you for several years. A quality product can be used up to five to six years.
Choose a filler
How to choose a mattress for a newborn? Naturally, you must carefully evaluate all possible fillers. Parents are the most difficult to navigate in this topic, because manufacturers offer a large number of options.
The stores present standard foam and felt models, expensive from latex and coconut coir, as well as with a filler made of polyurethane foam. This characteristic primarily affects the price of a mattress for a newborn. It can range from three to twenty thousand rubles. And this is far from the limit. Therefore, a little later we will talk in more detail about the most popular fillers, describing their advantages and disadvantages, forming a kind of rating of mattresses for newborns.
Breathability of the mattress
In the store, be sure to check with the seller of the fabric that is used in the product. It should provide good ventilation, which ensures hygiene and prevents the development of harmful microorganisms.
Some manufacturers sew a special "breathing" mesh into the mattress. It perfectly fulfills its function and thereby supports the immature crumbs immunity.
Orthopedic products
Most adults prefer orthopedic models of mattresses. And this is not surprising, because they have a special design that allows the body to take the correct position and allows the muscles to completely relax. An adult suffering from a number of spinal problems undoubtedly needs such products. But for newborns, an orthopedic mattress is useless.
The light weight of the crumbs absolutely does not involve the product mechanism in any way, therefore, in no case should you overpay for such a model. The orthopedic effect will not be noticeable until the age of four.
Therefore, if you do not plan to use a mattress for a newborn for so long, an orthopedic model is not worth buying. This choice is justified only in cases where the parents plan not to change the mattress for as long as possible.
Hypoallergenic issue
Unfortunately, in the modern world, allergies have become the most common disease, even in the smallest children. Therefore, the mattress in the crib for newborns in the first place should be as hypoallergenic as possible. Since the immune system of the crumbs in the first months of life is not yet formed and is subject to various influences, the choice of filler must be taken very seriously. In this case, coconut coir is considered the best filler among specialists.
Is a mattress pad needed for a newborn?
In the period of preparation for the birth of the baby, parents quite often forget about such a trifle as a mattress cover. It seems to them that this accessory is not so important, and therefore does not belong to the category of necessary. But, in fact, this thing greatly facilitates the care of the mattress and extends its life.
Keep in mind that the mattress cover should be waterproof, not absorb odors, and also have antibacterial impregnation. In addition, it is desirable that the product was made from natural fabrics.
If all the conditions described are met, then you can always easily remove the mattress cover and wash it. This will keep the product unchanged for many years, because no childhood surprises will become fatal for it.
Which mattress is best for a newborn: consider the pros and cons
Each model presented in children's stores has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we will talk about the most popular products and describe them. So, first of all, mattresses are divided into two categories:
Parents do not really like spring mattresses, especially products with dependent springs. They bend under the body of the crumbs and do not support it. This leads to a curvature of the spine and cannot provide the baby with a restful sleep. But mattresses with independent springs, working independently, are quite suitable for newborns. They easily adapt to any pose of the baby, support his spine and, moreover, do not make noise when the baby begins to spin. But such mattresses also have significant disadvantages. They are quite voluminous and have a high height, so the grown up baby can fall out, rising above the side of the crib. In some cases, a negative effect on children due to the formation of magnetic fields has been noticed.
Springless mattresses consist of several layers of filler interconnected. They can be completely natural or alternate with artificial layers. There are a lot of similar products on sale, so we will consider the most popular and popular ones:
1. Coconut filler.
This option is very popular among parents and experts agree with them. This material does not cause allergies and meets the required rigidity. Keep in mind that coconut coir should be saturated with natural latex. Such a layer does not crumble and the product will last as long as possible. Do not be too lazy to read a quality certificate before buying a mattress, so you will be sure that the manufacturer used natural latex. The advantages of this product are quite a lot:
- hypoallergenicity;
- good ventilation;
- stiffness suitable for the baby;
- does not absorb odors;
- does not decay and is not a habitat for ticks and other harmful microorganisms.
Of the minuses, only the high cost of such mattresses can be noted. It, depending on the manufacturer, can exceed twenty thousand rubles.
2. Horse hair.
This natural filler is pressed and soaked in latex. For mattresses, hair from the mane and tail of the animal, which is considered to be identical in quality to coconut fiber, is mainly used.
Among the advantages of such mattresses for newborns in the reviews, the following nuances are noted:
- high hygroscopicity;
- elasticity, making the product strong and durable;
- orthopedic functions.
The disadvantages include the very high cost of such products. They belong to the elite category and are often sold in specialized stores. Horsehair mattresses are often able to cause allergies in a baby, so you should think several times before buying this model.
3. Latex mattresses.
Latex belongs to natural materials and is made from the juice of hevea tree. In factories, it is foamed and an elastic and hypoallergenic material is obtained, which is often used in the manufacture of bedroom accessories.
However, for newborns, a mattress made entirely of latex is not suitable due to insufficient stiffness. Therefore, for a baby, it is best to choose a model with a combined filler.
4. Products made of foam rubber and batting.
Similar models are obsolete and not recommended for infants. The listed materials are synthetic, they absorb all odors and liquids, and therefore, in the literal sense of the word, they are a hotbed of harmful microorganisms. In addition, the foam rubber is too soft for the fragile children's back, and batting has the ability to assemble into lumps and turns sleep into a real torment.
Of the minor advantages of such mattresses, only their low cost and ease of transportation can be noted, since the product is easily twisted and bent.
5. Polyurethane foam.
This modern material is often used as a substitute for expensive latex. Polyurethane foam may not be too cheap, but it is more affordable than foamed hevea juice. Mattresses with this synthetic filler have several advantages:
- strength;
- durability;
- lack of deformation even after prolonged use;
- do not crumble;
- easy to transport;
- suitable for middle-class buyers.
It should be borne in mind that a mattress consisting only of polyurethane does not have rigidity sufficient for the baby. Therefore, parents should choose models with a combined filler. Products made from coconut fiber and polyurethane have proven their best.
Leaders of sells
In order to make it easier for readers to navigate the products presented in children's stores, we have prepared the TOP-3 of the best mattresses suitable for newborns. The following list shows manufacturers and models in descending order of popularity:
- Bottlenose dolphin. This Russian company produces one of the best models of mattresses for babies - “Buy-by”. This product has a combined filler, combining all the advantages of natural and artificial materials. The mattress can please with a removable cover, firmware of all inner layers and several size options.
- Italbaby Jolly Plus. If you prefer models of foreign manufacturers, then take a look at these Italian mattresses. They are made of polyurethane and combine all the main advantages of this high-tech material. Dust never accumulates in such products, ticks do not start, moreover, they dry very quickly and instantly restore their shape. The only disadvantage is the price of the mattress, Italbaby Jolly Plus can not cost less than six thousand rubles.
- Lapsi Cocolatex Lux. The mattresses of the German company belong to the premium category and consist only of natural materials. As a layer, only natural latex and coconut fiber are used. The mattress cover is always made removable, and its material consists of various natural fibers, which ensure the durability and hypoallergenicity of the product. It is worth considering that this model is quite expensive and not affordable for many parents. In addition, the size of the mattress is not suitable for all beds.
A few tips for caring for baby mattresses
We hope that you have already decided on the choice of product, but even the most expensive and high-quality model requires some care. The baby mattress must be regularly ventilated and vacuumed once a month. It quite often accumulates dust flying around the room, and settling on bedding. In the future, it can cause allergies in the crumbs.
To ventilate the mattress, it is best to leave it all day in the fresh air. However, in the case of a newborn, this will be quite difficult, because the baby is sleeping a lot. Therefore, a children's mattress should be aired for at least two to three hours.