Choosing the Perfect Mattress for Baby

Just welcomed a bouncing bundle of joy into your home?

Congratulations! This is the start of a wonderful journey – and some restless nights, unless you’ve got baby tucked into a super comfy mattress that promotes undisturbed sleep.

For infants, a good night’s sleep isn’t just necessary for a happy baby, it’s essential for your child’s healthy development. In fact, babies need lots of sleep. A lot more sleep than adults do – between 11 to 17 hours every day, depending on their age.

According to the Sleep Foundation1, here’s how much sleep your little one needs: Newborn (0-3 months) 14-17 hours per day Infant (4-11 months) 12.15 hours per day Toddler (1-2 years) 11-14 hours per day

Babies sleep a lot, and it’s great for them

It’s common for your baby to nap for two to four hours during the day, and this napping behaviour should be encouraged. That’s because sleep is a time when your baby’s brain develops, and sleep also enables them to grow (physically) and begin developing motor skills. So, the more they sleep – even if it’s during the day – the better.

Is it worth investing in a good baby mattress?

The good news is that unlike clothes and many of baby’s other items, a good baby mattress will fit your child for the first 18 to 24 months of their life – so you won’t have to worry about your child “outgrowing” the mattress before you’ve gotten a worthwhile return on your investment.

Also, remember that sleep is crucial for your child’s physical and mental development during this period – miss this vital period of growth, and there’s no turning back the clock. Here’s something to think about – according to studies, around 25% of young children are afflicted with sleeping issues, and these can turn into excessive daytime sleepiness and other concerns as they grow up.

Sleep is incredibly important to babies, and a good baby mattress will help improve the quality of their sleeping hours.

How to choose the right cot mattress size

Cot mattresses generally come in several sizes, such as 60 x 120 cm, 70 x 130 and 70 x 140 cm, and are between 5 to 10cm thick.

There’s no “perfect size” for your child’s bed, so feel free to choose a cot that fits your home – but do find a cot that closely matches one of these “standard” cot mattress sizes, or it may be difficult to find a suitable cot mattress.

For your child’s safety, it’s important that your cot mattress fits nicely into your baby’s cot. Make sure there aren’t any gaps wider than 3cm between the mattress and the cot. A simple way of checking this is to place your fingers between the mattress and the cot – if two fingers (or more) fit, that’s too large! And if there’s one finger (or less) of space, that’s perfect.

What to consider when choosing a mattress for baby? How then, should you choose a baby mattress that not only promotes healthy sleep – but also takes into consideration other factors, such as safety and hygiene? At Sofzsleep, we absolutely love latex mattresses, especially when it comes to helping our little ones sleep safely and soundly. These are some key factors you should consider when choosing a baby mattress (and reasons why we think latex mattresses are the best choice for infants). A cooler mattress means more restful naps for baby In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, a latex mattress is a fantastic choice. That’s because latex is more breathable than other popular materials (like memory foam) and helps to regulate the temperature of the surface your baby is sleeping on. Get a baby mattress that’s certified as non-toxic Your infant could spend half their time in bed, so make sure your cot mattress is certified as safe for babies and is free from harmful chemicals (such as formaldehyde). Look for internationally recognised certifications (like Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Intertak) that demonstrate the safety of your child’s mattress. Cleanliness and hygiene are musts As your baby’s immune system is still developing, it’s good to choose a mattress that’s easy and convenient to clean. You’ll be glad to know that Sofzsleep’s baby cot mattress has been designed with baby’s health and hygiene in mind. Unlike spring mattresses that can only be vacuumed on the surface, our mattresses come with an inner cover and a removable, washable soft bamboo cover that has natural antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties – allowing you to keep baby’s mattress clean by simply tossing the cover into the washing machine! Get a waterproof baby mattress protector While your infant may be wrapped up in diapers, there’s always a chance that a bedwetting incident could occur. That’s why a waterproof mattress protector is a must-have in your baby’s crib and any surface they sleep or nap on (for example, their playpen). Take our word here, this simple precaution could save you dozens of hours of cleaning! Choose high quality, sleep-friendly accessories To prioritise your baby’s comfort and ensure they get all the restful slumber they need, give them delightfully comfortable accessories to guide them into slumberland.

Our infant collection includes a uniquely designed infant pillow and baby donut pillow, our special “spaghetti latex” bolster that’s ultra-soft and comfy, and a bamboo cover that offers maximum protection against dust mites and allergens.

Remember, the quality of your baby’s sleep will determine the quality of their development. So, if you’re planning on saving money with hand-me-downs, know that it’s alright to accept cots and beds from friends whose babies have outgrown them – but always purchase a new baby mattress (as well as a new pillow, bolster and cover) for your little one to enjoy.

Sleep tight!

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Source

¹ Sleep Foundation (2021). How Much Sleep Do Babies and Kids Need?