What is the best baby mattress?
When you are preparing for the arrival of your baby, the first essential items you think of are probably the cot and its newborn mattress. For the well-being of your little koko, the choice of baby mattress is essential. And there are many things to consider when choosing a baby mattress that is comfortable, breathable and of course sustainable.
So what is the best baby mattress? Thickness, density, size of baby mattress... Read our advice to make an informed choice.
Which size of baby mattress?
One thing to remember is that the size of the baby mattress must perfectly match the size of the bed and the base. There must be no space between the mattress and the bed where your little koko could accidentally slip (or get stuck) a part of his body. This is important for his safety.
The standard dimensions of cots and baby mattresses on the market are :
- Baby bed mattress 60x120 cm
- Baby mattress 70x140 cm
Choosing a standard baby mattress size will allow you to easily find a mattress protector and a nice fitted sheet.
Why should baby sleep on a firm mattress?
For his safety and comfort, your little koko should sleep on a firm baby mattress. Your baby is still growing and his spine needs to be kept straight. And it is the firmness and density of the mattress that will keep it well aligned.
Especially since a higher density mattress should be more resistant and durable over time...
A newborn mattress is therefore generally firmer than an adult mattress. Be careful, a firm baby mattress does not mean "hard" either. It is difficult to give an ideal density for a baby mattress because it depends completely on the material of the mattress. A foam mattress should have a density between 20 and 35kg/m3 (ideally around 30). And a mattress containing latex will have a density between 60 and 95kg/m3.
What is the ideal material for a baby mattress?
The most common baby mattresses are foam mattresses and they are well suited for your little koko (no need for a spring for a baby mattress).
The materials are either:
- Natural: coconut fibre, 100% natural latex, wool...
- Synthetic: polyurethane foam, synthetic latex...
In our opinion, the 3 criteria that should help you make your choice are:
- its breathability
- its anti-allergic and anti-bacterial aspect
- its sustainability
You will also have the choice of several materials for the mattress cover, i.e. the outer cover that will be in contact with baby. It must be breathable and soft! It is absolutely necessary to avoid synthetic materials that would make your little koko sweat. At Kokùn Lab, we like organic cotton, tencel or bamboo ticking.
What is the advantage of a removable baby mattress?
Stains, nappy spillage and spit-up happen quickly with a baby... In our opinion, it is essential to choose a baby mattress with a removable cover. The cover must be machine washable.
We really like the Oonau mattress for babies and children (Breathair technology) which is removable and fully washable.
Even if your baby mattress is removable, we also advise you to use a mattress cover. This can be washed more frequently and more easily and it is also breathable.
What thickness of baby mattress?
The thickness of the baby mattress is not the main criterion for choice. A baby is light and does not need a thick mattress. The newborn mattresses on the market are between 8 and 13 cm thick, which is perfectly suitable for baby's comfort.
How should baby be put to sleep at night?
Now that you've chosen a good, comfortable baby mattress, it's time to choose a bedding set. A sleeping bag is a must until your child is 2 years old. To avoid cot death, childcare professionals scrupulously advise against using blankets, duvets or bumper pads with infants!
You don't want your little one to get too hot at night, so pay special attention to the way he or she is dressed. To find out more, take a look at how to dress baby at night.
You can discover our baby essentials for a soft and decorative bed:
Are you looking for more information to prepare for the arrival of your little koko? Check out our blog and our testimonials.
Photo credit : Oonau