How to choose a mattress for a newborn: review of materials and tips. Which is the best mattress for a newborn?

Which mattress is best for a newborn? The baby spends all his time in the crib until he learns to sit and crawl on his own. Therefore, it is very important to choose the most comfortable mattress for a crib. Comfortable does not mean soft! A comfortable mattress is one that provides comfort, relaxing holiday and does not damage the baby’s spine. Let's start choosing!

Happy parents strive to buy the most beautiful things for their newborn baby. This impulse is understandable, but unscrupulous manufacturers can take advantage of such parental feelings. Therefore, when choosing, focus not on the beauty of the product, but on practicality. A children's mattress must meet the following parameters:

• well ventilated;
• have moderate hardness;
• be hypoallergenic;
• easy to wash and dry;
• have environmentally friendly materials in the structure;
• have high-quality and durable upholstery;
• be the right size;
• have a quality mattress pad.

It is advisable to choose a mattress with a model with orthopedic properties. In a child under fifteen years of age, the body grows and the spine is formed, so it is extremely important to provide him with the right conditions for night/day rest.

Soft feather beds and cotton mattresses are a thing of the past forever. They have been replaced by orthopedic products, specially created to form an even posture and prevent spinal curvature and stoop.

Mattress properties

Ventilation

What is a ventilated mattress? This product has the ability to “breathe”, which means it allows air to pass through layers of material. Ventilation provides protection from harmful bacteria that can settle in musty confined space and harm the newborn. A soft, non-ventilated mattress is especially dangerous for a baby’s health.

Rigidity

Manufacturers offer mattresses of three types of hardness:

1. soft mattresses;
2. moderately hard;
3. hard mattresses.

The level of rigidity is determined by the design of the mattress itself, and also depends on the presence/absence of springs in the base. Springless mattresses are made of latex, coconut fiber or combined synthetic materials. Spring mattresses are based on a spring block, which provides medium or high rigidity to the product.

Pediatricians advise choosing a hard mattress for a newborn. And the younger the child is, the stiffer the mattress frame should be.

Eco-friendly and hygienic

An important condition for selection is the absence of any odor in the product. The manufacturing material must be either completely natural or comply with environmental standards (synthetic compositions). Manufacturers use the following natural mattress fillers:

• seaweed;
• coke or wood shavings;
• horse hair;
• felt or straw;
• natural latex.

These materials fully comply environmental safety and are harmless to the newborn. Mattresses with synthetic fillings tend to retain moisture well, but the lack of ventilation provokes the growth of microbes inside the material. The price of such products is low, so take this feature into account when purchasing.

Right size

The mattress must fully match the size of the crib itself: neither large nor small. The ideal size for a crib mattress is a couple of centimeters smaller. Why? Because it will fit freely in the crib and is easy to take out.

A mattress that is too large will deform in the crib, creating bumps and depressions - this will affect the well-being of the newborn. If the mattress is too small, it will also create inconvenience. The small product will fidget around the crib, and the newborn will have a restless sleep.

Important! The distance from the mattress to the sides of the crib should not exceed three/four cm.

Upholstery and mattress cover

What should the mattress upholstery be made of? For children under 15 years of age, it is better to choose natural, durable materials. High-quality upholstery is made not only from natural ingredients, but also has several additional layers. The best upholstery is quilted. It may consist of the following layers:

• cotton;
• sintepon;
• woolen;
• other materials.

You need to choose a strong upholstery material, for example, jacquard. Calico/calico materials wear out quickly.

In addition, jacquard has hypoallergenic properties and good throughput (ventilated). Be careful with special upholstery impregnations that manufacturers offer (anti-dust, antimicrobial, etc.). A young child may be allergic to these substances.

Advice. You need to choose a cover with a zipper - it is easy to remove and wash.

With or without springs?

Which mattress is better for a child - with or without springs? Pediatricians do not recommend buying a mattress with springs for a newborn, because they are useless for him. The same applies to orthopedic models. Such mattresses are necessary for children after three/four years. Although some one-year-olds like to jump on springs!

Spring products for newborns come with independent and dependent springs. The design differs in that independent springs are hidden in separate bags and do not respond to changes in pressure at a point in the mattress adjacent to them.

Pediatricians recommend choosing mattresses with an independent spring block for newborns. A mattress with dependent springs sags over time and turns into a hammock, which negatively affects the development of the baby’s posture.

Springless mattresses are well suited for newborns and children three/four years old. They, as a rule, have a moderately rigid design and form the baby’s posture well. Some models of springless mattresses have a double-sided design, that is, you can use one side as a rigid frame (suitable for newborns), and the other as a moderately medium frame (suitable for children from three years old).

Natural mattress fillers

The quality of a children's mattress for a small child directly depends on the filler. What can be inside the product, and which mattress is best to put in a baby’s crib? On the sales market you can choose mattresses with the following fillings:

• coconut coir;
• pressed horsehair;
• latex mattresses.

It is better to choose a mattress with coconut coir. It is suitable for both small infants and children of three years old. The filling is made from coconut coir bonded with latex. Important point: Natural latex, not artificial. Otherwise, your baby will rest on ordinary tires, and the coconut coir will quickly turn into dust. When choosing, the price factor is important: a cheap product will be of poor quality.

Pressed horsehair is also good for a baby's crib mattress. Products made from horsehair are elastic and for a long time suitability. Horse filler also contributes to the orthopedic properties of the mattress. The disadvantage of these products is the very high price and the possibility of an allergy in the baby to horsehair.

Products with latex filling are not rigid in shape, so they are more suitable for older children.

A shape that is too soft does not form the correct posture. Among these products you can find a double-sided coconut-latex mattress. The coconut side is suitable for babies, and the latex side is suitable for an adult child. The composition of latex-coconut material provides excellent ventilation and fully complies with the requirements of hygiene and environmental friendliness.

Artificial fillers

Products with artificial fillers are undesirable for infants. Manufacturers offer the following mattress fillers:

• batting components;
• foam rubber and polyurethane foam;
• struttofiber.

Foam rubber and batting are the worst choice for a child. Even the batting contains synthetic elements! And foam rubber provokes the formation of incorrect posture and scoliosis. These mattresses are very cheap, and that is their only attraction. Foam rubber and batting perfectly absorb liquids and odors, so they do not meet hygiene standards. Batting tends to clump up after some time and becomes completely unusable.

The filler is made of foamed polymer (polyurethane foam) and has an infinite service life. Polymers do not crumble, are not subject to deformation, and do not form dents. The product belongs to the middle price scale, which has its own attractiveness. Is it right to choose such a filler for a child? The parents will decide.

Struttofiber is an artificial wool that retains heat well and has elasticity. This filler is suitable for older children, but not for infants: it is too soft. Struttofiber is highly breathable and has hypoallergenic properties. The disadvantage is the high price.

1. For infants, it is better not to purchase a mattress with springs.
2. Do not buy a mattress with foam rubber or batting for your baby.
3. Do not buy an inexpensive product from an unknown manufacturer.
4. Before purchasing, make sure that the product has a quality certificate and meets hygiene standards.
5. Consult with mothers you know who are already using a baby mattress and analyze the information.
6. Correct does not mean cheap: beware of cheap products.

How to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth?

When the nursery already has a small, cozy crib, it’s time to choose the right accessories for it. For some, a beautiful but absolutely impractical canopy will be a necessity; for others, first of all, they will think about buying protection for the walls of the bed. Meanwhile, it's incredible an important condition A well-chosen mattress is essential for your baby to get a good night's sleep. How to choose a mattress for a newborn? How long can it last for a child? These and other questions concern many young parents.

mattress for newborn

Requirements for a mattress for the little ones

It really is worth taking a responsible approach to choosing a children's mattress, since a quality product purchased even for a newborn can last for at least three years. Models made entirely of batting are slowly but surely losing their position in the modern market. However, even when buying the most fashionable and beautiful mattress, you always need to make sure that it has:

• Right size

A mattress intended for baby sleep must match the size of the crib. If it turns out to be smaller than the perimeter of the crib, it will constantly move out and cause inconvenience to the child during sleep. The usual dimensions are considered to be 120 by 60 cm. However, knowing exactly the length and width of the bottom of the crib, you can choose a mattress that is slightly different from the standard one.

• High hygiene and safety

A newly born baby will spend a lot of time in his crib, which means his mattress should be well ventilated, have, if not a moisture-resistant coating, then at least a removable cover that can be easily removed and rinsed or even washed. The filler also plays an important role. The naturalness of the composition does not always mean that it is suitable for your child. will suit best way. For example, completely natural wool or felt can cause allergies in children. In addition, after several leaks missed by the mother, such fillers can emit an unpleasant odor over time.

You should also pay attention to the cover, which is mainly made of cotton fabric. For a newborn, it is important that the cover in places of contact with the body is free of rough seams, snakes, buttons and other parts that can cause discomfort to the baby during sleep.

• Good orthopedic properties

We are not talking about treating an already formed curvature of the spine, but only about ensuring that the mattress for a newborn has sufficient rigidity. Then the spine of the little toddler will take a natural position during sleep. Pediatricians categorically do not advise children to sleep on a surface that is too soft, since in this case the fragile spine may become deformed. A filler such as coconut fiber has proven itself well in this regard, which at the same time gives the mattress the necessary rigidity and elasticity, absorbs odors well and allows air to pass through.

the right mattresses for newborn babies

After familiarizing yourself with the listed requirements for mattresses for newborns, you can safely decide on the choice of model.

In order to figure out which is the best mattress to choose for our newborn baby, you need to decide for how long you plan to use the mattress:

Note to moms!

Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me too, and I’ll also write about it))) But there’s nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too...

1. A universal model without springs is suitable for both the smallest babies and those who are already 3-4 years old.

mattress without springs

Its base can be coconut fiber or polyurethane foam, which is also considered an anti-allergenic and non-toxic material. Felt or wool can be used as an additional layer. In addition, there are also double-sided models. Different hardness of sides designed for children of different ages: more rigid (coconut) - for newborns, more elastic (latex or polyurethane foam) - for children older than one year.

The mattress sometimes has an asymmetrical shape (one side is thicker than the other), simulating an incubator in a maternity hospital, located at a certain angle. This is done to prevent the baby from choking during regurgitation. Which model to choose is up to the parents. In any case, we must remember that placing a pillow under the head of a child under one year old for these purposes is strictly not recommended.

A cover made of natural cotton fabric (calico, calico, jacquard) can be stitched with cotton wool for additional softness. This material also promotes better air exchange in hot weather. A snake or other fastener for removing the cover is usually located on the side.

2. Spring mattress.

mattress for children with springs

Positioned by manufacturers as a universal model for both newborns and children school age. However, it will still be more useful for children over one year old, who not only sleep on the mattress, but can actively frolic on it and even jump. Therefore, the size of such products is often already 190 by 90 cm (although there are also models of traditional size). For a newborn, the presence of springs will not play a significant role due to the child’s low weight.

In addition to springs, the composition may contain a block of felt, coconut fiber, and also polyurethane foam. An additional means of ventilation for such a mattress can be ventilation holes called aerators. It can be frameless or have a frame that guarantees that it will retain its shape for a long time.

table: choosing the right mattress

At the same time, if a mother decides to co-sleep with her baby for the first few months, then even the best mattress purchased for a crib may not be needed at first. Then young parents should make sure that their own bed has a sufficiently hard and at the same time elastic mattress that can support the baby in the anatomically correct position during sleep.

A mattress cover is a special cover that protects the mattress from moisture, dirt, mechanical damage and can partially correct its beneficial properties. Previous generations in infancy slept on sheets, under which the mother carefully placed oilcloth to protect the surface of the mattress from children's surprises; today, this function is performed by a mattress pad, and also often has useful orthopedic properties. Agree, washing and drying a mattress cover is much easier than doing similar manipulations with a mattress.

The focus is on environmentally friendly materials and hygienic cleanliness

The trend for using environmentally friendly materials has become generally accepted in the last decade, especially when it comes to any products for children. Independent studies periodically shock society with their conclusions about the impact of certain chemicals and synthetic materials on the health of newborns. Probably everyone already knows that you shouldn’t overuse diapers, but only those who know how to take care of the cleanliness of a child’s sleeping place can afford it.

Modern combine unique properties natural materials and synthetic fabrics of the latest generation, and the latter are used as a layer and are directly adjacent to the surface of the mattress, and not to the child’s skin. Natural cotton knitted fabric is usually used as the top layer - the safest hypoallergenic material, which, importantly, is very easy to wash in a machine. These products also have the ability to absorb and retain liquids, which is essential in a newborn's crib.

Most manufacturers take every detail seriously when making mattress covers, starting from incoming testing of all materials for allergen content and harmful substances before testing fabrics for friction noise levels. Many models have special antibacterial impregnation. Obviously, this approach allows them to guarantee that the baby will always be surrounded by warmth and comfort in his crib.

Affordable price and opportunity for serious savings

Future parents rarely spare money on arranging a child's bed, but when it comes to purchasing additional accessories, many are afraid that they will have to shell out a large sum, in addition to the cost of the crib itself. Fortunately, mattress toppers are quite inexpensive, and there is plenty of choice similar products big enough today. Moreover, the cost of its acquisition pays off over time, thanks to the unique beneficial properties. The obvious advantage of using mattress covers consists of several components:

• the product significantly extends the life of the mattress (usually quite expensive), which allows you to change it much less frequently;
• affordable price products are significantly lower than the total cost of purchasing disposable waterproof diapers for several years;
• A favorable sanitary environment and preserving the health of the child are priceless!

The main thing you need to pay attention to is that the size of the mattress cover matches the parameters of the mattress, otherwise the product will not only lose all its properties, but will also begin to clump and form folds, which will automatically create discomfort for the child. Before buying, it is advisable to find out not only the length and width, but also the thickness of the mattress, so as not to make a mistake with the choice, because the fastenings also differ from each other.

Maximum sleeping comfort for your child

Thus, a mattress cover, which many people see as a minor accessory for a baby crib, actually solves the problem whole line important issues, significantly facilitating maternal work. Here are just the main ones useful features mattress covers for newborn beds:

• cleanliness and dryness in the crib - protecting the child from diaper rash, allergies, fungi and pathogenic bacteria, sleepless nights;
• protection of the surface and sides of the mattress from moisture and dirt, and therefore from stains and unpleasant odor, which are so difficult to eliminate;
• formation of a perfectly flat sleeping surface, even if the mattress in the crib has certain signs of wear and deformation;
• constant internal ventilation and active air circulation will protect the baby’s skin from irritation;
• maintaining optimal temperature, keeping the crib warm.

Today, this is the most convenient and practical means of protecting a bed from children's surprises. Unlike oilcloths and disposable waterproof diapers, a mattress cover is purchased for a specific size of a children's mattress and is firmly attached to it, as a rule, using corner or side elastic bands. This allows you to avoid situations where the diaper moves out due to the baby’s movements in bed and the mattress is left without protection. In addition, with a mattress cover, bed linen will not slip, which means you will provide your child with everything he needs for a sound and healthy sleep!

Taking care of your child's posture begins with choosing the first mattress. First time baby most will spend his life in a crib.

The peace and health of the newborn depend on the quality of bedding, their comfort and safety.

Manufacturers are constantly offering new options for crib mattresses, and making a choice is becoming increasingly difficult.

How to choose a mattress for a newborn's crib

Very strict, but understandable requirements are imposed on the baby’s sleeping place.:

• hygiene;
• orthopedic properties - some models are made so that the baby’s head is slightly higher than the legs, protecting the baby from choking when regurgitating;
• environmental friendliness - all materials relating to the child should be as safe as possible;
• hypoallergenic;
• high quality and naturalness of filling and upholstery materials - calico, chintz, jacquard are acceptable.

There are two main groups of children's mattresses: spring and springless.

Springless models

Springless mattresses are made on the basis of materials of artificial (struttofiber, polyurethane foam) and natural (latex, coconut) origin.

Struttofiber

Struttofiber – artificial material, similar to wool. It is usually used as a layer that provides additional elasticity and retains heat.

Struttofiber is also used as a filler on the winter side of the bed, the summer surface of which is lined with coconut coir.

Faux wool mattresses are more suitable for children over 1 year of age.

The removable cover is a significant advantage for the mattress

Advantages of the material:

• By physical characteristics it is close to wool;
• long service life;
• hypoallergenic;
• well ventilated;
• ensures proper heat exchange.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam (PPU) is a foamed polymer. They fill beds of moderate hardness in the middle price segment.

Advantages:

• strength and durability - polyurethane foam does not sag, roll or crumble;
• ease of movement;
• hypoallergenic;
• Quite a cost-effective option.

The flaw is insufficient rigidity (in high-quality models the defect is completely eliminated).

For children prone to allergic reactions, it is better to choose mattresses with modern artificial fillers that prevent the proliferation of dust mites. But the mattress cover and bed linen should be made of pure cotton.

Polyurethane foam is a porous, breathable material

Latex

Latex is the foamed sap of the Hevea tree. In children's mattresses it is used to fill one side. The second traditionally consists of coconut coir.

• creates the right microclimate;
• the material is well ventilated;
• the elasticity of latex allows it to quickly recover even after increased stress;
• long period of use;
• environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. Latex does not accumulate static electricity, neither mold nor dangerous microorganisms live in it;
• noiselessness when changing position.

• not firm enough for a baby, but very good for an older child;
• new product smells like rubber. Gradually it wears off;
• high price, especially when using natural latex.

Latex is a hygienic and hypoallergenic material

Coconut

Coconut coir is the material that best meets the requirements for a bed for newborns.

Similar models are produced in the form of coconut fiber, stitched (fastened) or impregnated with latex. In the first case, the coir will gradually crumble and begin to crumble, deforming the surface of the sleeping area. Irritation may occur. The option impregnated with natural latex is preferable.

Benefits of Coconut Coir:

• good orthopedic properties due to moderate surface rigidity;
• it is not predisposed to absorb liquid and odor;
• ventilation;
• does not rot and does not contribute to the proliferation of pathogenic microflora;
• hypoallergenic.

The disadvantage is the high cost.

Coconut fiber should be supplemented with layers of latex, polyurethane foam or spring blocks

Double-sided mattresses: latex - for summer; coconut coir - for winter

Models with springs

All spring mattresses have a layer between the wire and the cover. This is usually one of the materials used for springless options.

Models with springs are not used for infants, therefore such mattresses are usually produced with the expectation of use in the beds of teenagers.

A high-quality product is necessarily equipped with aerators - special holes that provide ventilation inside the structure.

Correct position of the baby on the mattress

Bonnel system

Bonnell dependent springs are used in economy class mattresses. Its base is wire spirals tightly intertwined.

The disadvantage of the Bonnell system is the “hammock” effect, when the surface bends under the heaviest part of the body, creating a funnel. The models are extremely inconvenient.

Independent springs

In mattresses with independent springs, each spiral is placed in a separate nest.

Individual spring blocks

Vary similar models according to the number of spring coils per 1 sq.m, as indicated in the marking:

• S-500 – 250 springs;
• S-1000 – 500 spirals;
• S-2000 – 1000 pieces.

How larger number spirals per 1 square meter of surface, the better.

A bed with independent springs does not sag and does not make noise when changing position. But sleeping places with independent springs:

• tall;
• heavy;
• the wire accumulates static electricity;
• expensive.

Sizing

When purchasing a crib, to simplify the selection of a mattress, you need to measure sleeping area. As a standard, cradles and cribs are produced for babies with the following bed sizes:

• 80 x 160 cm;
• 120 x 60 cm;
• 125 x 65 cm;
• 140 x 70 cm.

A mattress whose length and width are 2 cm less than the sleeping place will ideally fit into the crib. With these parameters, it will be easy to remove it, preserving the structure, and there will also be room for folding the sheet.

A mattress that is too large will bend or sag, disturbing the baby’s peace and posture. Too small will “walk”, opening the backing, which can lead to injury. The maximum allowable play between the crib and the mattress in a smaller direction is 4 cm.

You need to change the bedding on your child’s crib at least 3 times a week.

Rules of care

To keep the mattress clean and dry, mattress covers are used. They are easy to remove and wash.

Ideal mattress pad:

• made from natural material;
• has an antibacterial coating;
• does not absorb odor.

Despite the presence of a mattress cover, the bed itself also requires care. The mattress must be vacuumed (knocked out) and ventilated regularly, because... Dust accumulates there.

The case on high-quality models is equipped with a zipper, which simplifies maintenance. The mattress can be unzipped and ventilated.

It is advisable to periodically remove and wash the cover, and at this time expose the mattress itself to airing. It is recommended to carry out such maintenance more often, for example, during a walk, when the baby does not need a crib.

The mattress must be vacuumed and ventilated

The bed should be turned over periodically. Despite the light weight of the child, the mattress simply cakes and sag.

Video

This video will tell you how to choose a mattress for a newborn.

The choice of a mattress for a newborn is based on the assertion that saving on quality is fraught with the most dire consequences. For children, spring models cannot be purchased; options with cheap fillers - cotton wool and foam rubber - are also unacceptable.

The best thing is to find a middle ground on price, but no compromise on quality.

Before purchasing this or that mattress, you must make sure that the product meets the requirements of GOST and has the appropriate certificate. It is advisable to look at product reviews on the Internet.

A high-quality orthopedic mattress is the key to a strong and healthy rest. The spine is subjected to considerable stress throughout the day, even if a person simply sits still. It is especially important to choose the right bedding for a newborn’s crib, because such babies, as a rule, sleep 16-18 hours a day. It is the quality and comfort of the mattress that plays a role important role in the formation of the children's spine. If an adult, after sleeping on an uncomfortable bed for several hours, feels overwhelmed, then what can we say about a small organism that is just developing and growing.

A comfortable mattress is the key good night and full development of the child

Children's mattresses, just like adults', come in several varieties in their design. First of all, you need to decide on the material and size, and then look at the availability of springs and the manufacturer’s rating.

Standard and non-standard mattress sizes

If the newborn's crib was not made to order according to your own parameters or purchased from some exclusive manufacturer, then you can get a regular mattress with standard sizes. However, now it’s not difficult to find children’s beds equipped with all the necessary bedding. Then you won’t have to search all over the city for the necessary goods, and if you replace the mattress, you will only need to tell the seller the number of the purchased model.

Standard sizes are:

• 140×70 cm;
• 125x65 cm;
• 120x60 cm.

Experts advise not to order a mattress end-to-end, but to have a margin of 1-2 cm in length and width - it will be more convenient to remove it without the risk of tearing, and it will not slide directly in the crib itself.

It is important to consider the thickness - the material is too thin or thick and the filler will not only be uncomfortable for sleeping, but also dangerous for the spine and health in general. Ideal sizes - from 8 to 15 centimeters with small ventilation holes On the sides.

The tables below will help you figure out the sizes.

The crib mattress must have suitable dimensions and filler thickness

Length and width standards:

Height standards:

For children 2-3 years old, it is also necessary to take into account the hardness of the surface. The correct curve of the spine will be formed on a mattress of increased rigidity. For preschoolers, it is better to choose the middle option. If there is a suspicion of curvature, then consultation with a doctor would be appropriate.

Teenage beds are usually divided into single and single beds. In this case, it is advisable to take into account the child’s body structure. So, for example, if a teenager is overweight or just often tosses and turns in his sleep, it is better to give preference to the second option. Single beds are wider, more comfortable, more spacious, and if necessary, you can even sleep two kids on them.

A single bed is perfect for a thin teenager

Basic criteria when choosing a mattress

A truly high-quality mattress lasts at least three years. Unfortunately, you can often find products on the market with “wrong” fillers and materials. For example, models based on batting or foam rubber do not provide any health benefits to the baby, and sometimes do not even pass the environmental test. First of all, you need to pay attention to hygiene and orthopedic indicators.

Hygiene

A newborn spends most of his time in the crib sleeping. It is especially important to provide the baby not only with comfort and noiselessness, but also with high-quality bedding. The mattress and linen should not have any foreign odors or odors. This is fraught with allergies or even worse - problems with the respiratory tract. That is why the orthopedic mattress is equipped with small holes that allow air to pass through.

Removable cover with natural moisture-resistant lining - perfect option. Constant manual cleaning of the mattress by special means quickly tires young parents, who soon begin to carry out such hygienic procedures less and less. The cover can be safely washed in washing machine with gentle powder.

Removable mattress cover can be easily machine washed

It’s great if you can find a cotton or jacquard cover. As a rule, such material does not cause any inconvenience and almost never causes allergies. The only thing, no matter what the material, you need to make sure that the seams, zippers, fasteners and buttons are on the bottom side and do not come into contact with the delicate skin of the newborn.

Orthopedic indicators

Orthopedic qualities include indicators of the hardness of the surface on which the child will sleep. Only on an ideal mattress will the spine be in a natural and comfortable position. So, too soft and fluffy feather bed can lead to scoliosis, and too hard one can lead to painful sensations in the back. The most optimal would be children's mattress medium hardness, elastic - for example, with coconut fiber.

Dr. Komarovsky does not recommend using a pillow, since the newborn should sleep on flat surface(more details in the article:). Some manufacturers offer mattresses with a flexible bamboo headrest, where you can raise and then remove the so-called bolster.

This is very convenient when the baby has a runny nose or belching. For a while, you can gently lift the head to ensure free breathing.

Pillows are completely unnecessary in infancy - they can even harm the baby

Materials for a children's mattress

It is very easy to get lost in the variety of goods presented in stores. Young parents often doubt the choice of material and filling for a children's mattress, entrusting this matter to inexperienced sellers. First of all, the material must have antibacterial, hypoallergenic and antifungal properties, and naturalness is not always good. For example, wool or felt can provoke allergic reactions in the baby, and wood shavings and straws do not hold moisture well and can deteriorate due to it.

The table below will help young parents navigate and accurately choose a mattress for their child. If there are several children in the family, it is better to learn this information by heart.

Filling material	Material properties	Note
Coconut coir (coconut fiber, coconut tow)	Uniform distribution of the load on the spine, medium rigidity, moisture resistance, hypoallergenic, excellent ventilation and heat transfer (not cold in winter, not hot in summer)	Coconut coir must contain natural latex, otherwise after active use the mattress will become deformed and begin to rot (do not confuse coconut coir with coconut shavings!)
Horsehair	Elasticity, hygroscopicity	Natural material with latex impregnation can cause allergies
Natural latex (from rubber - foamed Hevea juice)	Elasticity, resistance to bacteria, environmental friendliness, hygiene, practicality, a double mattress for growth is recommended	You may smell rubber, but do not rush to throw away the mattress - after airing or washing the unpleasant aroma will disappear
Polyurethane foam (PPU, foamed polymer of artificial origin)	Durability, practicality, hypoallergenic, resistance to external influences, low cost	It is considered quite hard, so you should be especially careful when choosing such a mattress for children with back and spine diseases
Struttofiber ( artificial filler like wool)	Long service life good ventilation and heat transfer, elasticity, hypoallergenic, relatively low price	It is ineffective if the mattress is made entirely of this material, so make sure that only one side is filled (coconut fiber can be used for the second)
Holofiber (non-woven artificial material made from polyester fibers)	Moisture resistance, good ventilation, hypoallergenic, durable, low cost, easy to clean	The most optimal and ergonomic option for children under 3-4 years old

Coconut filler is considered high quality and environmentally friendly

Often, parents prefer double-sided options for growth, when one side has a hard surface (for children up to 1-2 years old), and the other has a soft surface (for children over 2 years old). For example, a children's mattress can have coconut filling on one side and struttofiber on the other. It is important to understand that bedding cannot be too cheap, so you should not save on your child’s health.

With or without springs: what to choose?

A mattress with springs is a win-win option, but for babies under one year old it is quite possible to buy a springless one. To understand the difference between them, it is worth considering the design itself:

1. Mattress with dependent springs. The elements connect with each other and are one whole. If the position of one spring changes, this change affects the others. It turns out that small depressions may form in the mattress under the weight of the child.
2. With independent springs. The elements are located in separate compartments and are not interconnected. When you press one spring part, the rest will not budge. This type of mattress is the most popular, but it also costs more, although it is heavy and thick.
3. Springless. Due to its light weight, a child under one year old can easily sleep on a springless mattress. In terms of rigidity, it is made according to the state standard, which forms correct posture from the first months of life, and safer than spring options.

Of course, choosing a mattress for a bed is not limited to the material side. Any product must be confirmed by appropriate quality certificates. In order not to wait weeks for this confirmation from unfamiliar companies and stores, it is better to immediately make a choice in favor of well-known manufacturers.

Springless mattress promotes good posture

Rating of popular mattresses

The cost of a mattress depends on its size, material, trademark. However, not all high-quality orthopedic mattresses for newborns or preschoolers are imported from abroad. Domestic manufacturers also often delight customers with decent products, and the price of “native” mattresses is slightly lower than for foreign ones, which is a plus.

Afalina Bayu-Bai - the best mattress for newborns

“Bayu-Bai” in the name of a children’s mattress (often coconut) speaks for itself. Rated out of five best mattresses Bottlenose dolphin takes an honorable first place. The average price in Russia is about 4,000 rubles. The design is combined; coconut latex fiber and polyurethane foam and natural latex are used as filler in equal parts. This multi-layering allows the mattress to sag under the weight of the child only lengthwise, maintaining correct position spine. The layers are not glued together, but are sewn in a special way, which makes the product more durable and elastic. The advantages of the Bayu-Bai mattress include:

• double-sided springless design;
• removable cover (jacquard, cotton or wool to choose from);
• no foreign odors;
• sizes 120x60 cm and 125x65 cm.

The only downside is the high price compared to other options described below. However, the quality justifies it.

Italbaby Jolly Plus – polyurethane foam mattress

Synthetic materials are not always bad. In newborns who react acutely to external irritants, natural fabric can cause allergic reactions. In this case, polyurethane foam mattresses are simply a salvation for parents. The hygienic and hypoallergenic material repels moisture and bacteria and has medium hardness. The disadvantages are one-sidedness, but the advantages of Italbaby Jolly Plus include the following:

• strength and durability;
• height 12 cm, length and width - 120x60 cm or 125x65 cm;
• removable cover with zipper;
• the price is slightly less than 3900 rubles.

Ormatek Kids Comfort – spring mattress

“Comfort” is intended for babies from 1 year and is a double-sided sleeping place. On one side, a children's mattress is filled with coconut filling and latex, and on the other, it is filled with polyurethane foam. In the middle, in turn, there are independent springs. There are several more disadvantages in this case than in the options described above:

• not suitable for children under 1 year of age;
• may smell;
• thin calico cover.

Among the advantages of Ormatek Kids Comfort are its affordable price (about 2,300 rubles), a variety of sizes and types (including made to order), variable hardness and a 2-year warranty. In addition, the manufacturer claims that such a spring mattress can last as long as 10 years.

DreamLine BabyHall Hard – mattress based on holofiber

In fourth place is the easy-to-maintain and inexpensive “hollobyber hard” - this is latexed, non-flammable coconut fiber with good ventilation. As in the previous product, the cover has a calico base, but the orthopedic properties here are much lower. A huge plus is the sufficient selection of sizes. You can place an order for individual tailoring according to your sizes and with the desired fillings.

“DreamLine BabyHall Hard” costs around 1800 rubles. Can be used while traveling a budget option, which you don’t mind getting dirty, especially since it can be cleaned very well; the cover can easily be washed in a washing machine.