The arrival of your baby is fast approaching and you still don't know on what criteria to choose your mattress? Don't panic, we'll help you to see more clearly in this article, in collaboration with the best baby mattress.
step 1: Which size to choose for your baby mattress?
On the French market, we mainly find the sizes 60x120cm and 70x140cm.
The 60x120cm size is suitable for babies from birth to about 3 to 4 years and the 70x140 size from birth to about 4 to 5 years.
There are also specific sizes like 60x140cm.
In any case, you have to choose a baby bed first to determine the size of the mattress to choose. To do this, simply measure the inside of the bed frame and take the mattress with the same dimensions. To ensure baby's safety, the space between the mattress and the ends of the bed should not exceed 3 cm in total.
If you have a crib with a special size, a custom-made mattress is a good solution.
step 2: What thickness of mattress?
The thickness of a baby mattress varies from 7 to 13 cm depending on the brand. The thicker the mattress, the longer it will last, but it is important to make sure that it is not too thick to guarantee baby's safety between the mattress and the top of the cot. We recommend a thickness between 10 and 12cm for classic baby mattresses (60x120 - 70x140).
step 3: Natural or synthetic materials?
In the world of bedding, synthetic mattresses still dominate but the trend is towards more natural materials that are less harmful to baby's health.
Polyurethane foam mattresses are certainly more affordable but are still less natural than latex, coconut fiber etc. Synthetic materials tend to be warmer and can be a source of skin irritation for some babies. If you choose a synthetic mattress, make sure that it is at least OEKO-TEX® certified.
Natural mattresses are more breathable and healthier for baby's health. The materials you can find are mainly coconut fiber, natural latex, hemp, wool, cotton, linen and lyocell brand TENCEL™ (fiber from wood pulp). The drawback remains the slightly higher price than synthetic mattresses. They are also heavier but have a higher durability offering good value for money.
step 4: What is the right density of a baby mattress?
In concrete terms, what is the right density to hope to have a comfortable and durable mattress over time? The density of a mattress represents the weight of the material on a given surface, expressed in kg/m3. Each material has its own density: a foam mattress for babies will have a good density if it is higher than 20kg/m3. For a natural latex mattress, the density should be at least 90kg/m3. Coconut fiber is ideal with a density of around 48kg/m3 and hemp has a good density of around 70kg/m3.
step 5: What firmness should I choose for my baby mattress?
It is recommended to opt for a firm mattress especially during the first months of baby's life to avoid the risk of suffocation. Moreover, the muscles are not fully formed, so it is important to have a firm support for a good body support.
step 6: What standards and certifications should I look for?
To choose a baby mattress safely, we advise you to refer to certain standards and certifications:
The NF EN 16890 standard updated in April 2018 ensures that the mattress meets certain safety requirements. Tests are thus carried out on the sinking, the hardness of the mattress, the risks of suffocation, choking, the strength of the seams etc.
The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification is the reference textile certification and ensures that the mattress does not contain any substance or chemical treatment that is hazardous to health.
step 7: A mattress with or without a cover?
Not all mattresses on the market are removable.
It will be easier to maintain the cover of a removable mattress in case of an accident. Also, the cover allows you to extend the life of the mattress by renovating it at low cost. Of course, the mattress cover does not replace the role of the mattress protector, which is to absorb liquids in case of leaks and therefore to protect the mattress.
8th step: Made in Asia or made in Europe?
Some parents are very vigilant about the origin of the products. Since most mattresses come from Asia, favoring European manufacturing reduces the carbon footprint.
step 9: What price for a mattress?
The budget of a mattress will depend on the previous criteria: materials, thickness, certifications, removable cover, place of manufacture... A synthetic mattress can go from 50€ to 200€ while a mattress with a coconut fiber core starts at 130€. A natural mattress can be more expensive to buy but will last longer and can therefore be used for several babies if it is well maintained. Also, the advantage of having a mattress with natural materials is that the reconditioning is quite possible since the materials are reused and therefore put back into the manufacturing circuit, a nice circular economy.
10th step: How is a baby mattress packaged?
Although plastic is very present in the world of bedding, it is now possible to receive a baby mattress without plastic packaging. Some parents are sensitive to this ecological aspect. Also, you can check how your mattress is delivered: plastic, kraft envelope, cotton pouch etc.
11th step: Buying on the internet yes, but what services?
Choosing a mattress is important, but so are the services provided by a company, especially on the web! The important points to check are
- delivery times and conditions the product guarantee
- the return of the old mattress
- the free return of the mattress
- the number of trial nights
- the reactivity of the customer service
- the notoriety of the brandand its existence in the mattress world
The steps mentioned above are obviously a help to guide you in your choice and according to your own criteria: trust yourself, only you know what is the best for your baby.
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