They are one of the most important foundations for healthy sleep: mattresses. This is especially true for babies and toddlers. Here you can find out how to find the right variant (with recommendations).
Healthy sleep is just as important for your baby as it is for us adults: It is not for nothing that the little ones need enough restful sleep for optimal development.
- We leave babies unattended for quite a while while they sleep.
- That is precisely why it is important to ensure sufficient security! This also applies to the mattress for the baby bed.
With the abundance of baby equipment offers, it is not easy to keep track of things. What is really the best mattress for the baby bed?
Here you will find a lot of important information about baby mattresses and specific tips on what to look out for when buying.
Quick overview: The best mattress recommendations for the cot:
And here we go on with the actual guide and all the things you should consider when choosing a mattress for your baby.
Index
There are different types of mattresses for the baby bed
You are probably familiar with the saying “It’s inside that matters”. This can easily be transferred to a mattress.
The fact is: The material contributes a lot to how pleasant we find the lying comfort. And this in turn has a major impact on your baby’s sleep.
If your little one sleeps on an uncomfortable mattress, sleep disorders can occur. Falling asleep is not always easy for many children.
Tip: Here you will find the best sleep aids for babies and toddlers .
Baby bed mattresses are available with very different filling methods. In the following you can get an idea of the advantages (and problems) of various fillings.
This makes it a lot easier for you to decide which mattress is right for you and your baby.
Foam mattresses
The simplest crib mattress. Inside there are often only various blocks of ordinary foam.
Despite its simplicity, this variant has some advantages: The mattress is extremely light and often available at a very affordable price. So it can be easily transported or turned.
The foam that is used for production is available in many variants: polyurethane, bamboo fiber or latex are just a few examples.
What you should definitely know:
- Polyurethane is cheap, but if it is poorly mixed it has a tendency to decrease over time.
- Latex, on the other hand, is very durable, but also a lot heavier.
Tip: The firmer and denser the mattress, the safer it is for your baby.
Benefits:
- Inexpensive and easy
- Available in many sizes
Disadvantage:
- Not very durable
Innerspring mattresses
Spring core mattresses are no longer the same as they used to be.
Manufacturers still use steel springs to make the mattress stable and comfortable.
- Mattresses made entirely of innerspring are often very heavy.
- Pay particular attention to the coil thickness: It should be less than 15 cm so that the baby can lie down safely.
If you choose a spring mattress, you should avoid choosing a model that is too cheap. Over time, they tend to squeak with every movement.
The alternative to a pure spring core mattress is a pocket core mattress. Each spring is sewn into its own material pocket and can therefore react separately to loads.
In summary: Naturally, the back area loads the mattress more than the legs. A pocket core mattress ensures perfect balance and support for the whole body.
Benefits:
- Compensatory support
- Durable
- Very convenient
Disadvantage:
- Very expensive with high quality
Shape memory foam mattress
This mattress contains a foam that adapts to the shape of your baby’s body. The material reacts to the temperature of the body.
As the foam adapts and encloses the baby, the air circulation is reduced. This leads to increased heat, which is why this mattress is very popular, especially in countries with colder climates.
Interesting : Many of these mattresses are not made purely of foam with shape memory. Inside there is often a spring core, which is then enclosed by a layer of memory foam.
Unfortunately, this has the disadvantage that you cannot turn this mattress.
Benefits:
- Adapts to the body shape
- Reduced air circulation – increased sensation of warmth
Disadvantage:
- may be too hot in summer
- Can not always be turned
Mattresses made from natural and biological materials
Many parents want an alternative to an ordinary mattress: They don’t want to expose their baby to harsh or harmful chemicals in the first few years.
What do you mean by that? Many common mattresses are based on petroleum during production and are then treated with a flame-retardant boric acid.
That doesn’t sound really trustworthy.
The alternative are mattresses that are made from natural, biological materials. Some commonly used materials are for example: untreated wool, organic cotton or coconut fiber.
Unfortunately, many manufacturers sell their mattresses as “organic” or “natural”, even though only a small part is really made of natural materials. Here you have to take a closer look and, if necessary, write to the manufacturer directly.
Benefits:
- No chemicals
- Good for allergies
- Durable
Disadvantage:
- Not that easy to get hold of
- Look closely!
What to look for when buying a mattress for a baby bed
Have you already decided which type of mattress you want? Have you already found the perfect pillow for your baby ?
Then the next step is to compare the different models. Here are a few points to keep in mind when making your choice:
How firm is the mattress?
In general, a firm mattress is much safer for your baby than a soft one. If the mattress is too soft, the risk of suffocation increases.
In addition, the hardness of the mattress also determines sleeping comfort. The spine should be as straight as possible for optimal recovery.
Tip: It is best to determine the strength by means of a pressure test. To do this, press the mattress with your hand at the edges and especially in the middle.
The mattress should spring back to its original shape and not conform to your hand.
Many modern mattresses for the cot already contain stabilizing blocks on the sides so that your baby does not sink when getting up or crawling.
The right size
When choosing the size of the mattress, you should first and foremost consider the size of your cot. You will usually find a recommendation for the size of the mattress in the product description.
The most common sizes are …
- 60×120 cm
- 70×140 cm
When choosing a bed or mattress for the baby, you should also think about how long your baby should sleep in the cot. The larger the mattress, the longer you can use it.
Some parents opt for a cot, which can later be used as a normal cot without the side elements.
Is the mattress for the cot hypoallergenic?
Getting babies to sleep is a challenge enough on some nights. The last thing you need now is a baby with allergies.
Hypoallergenic means that no or few allergy-causing materials are used in production. This will prevent irritation and help your little one sleep well.
Is the mattress air permeable?
With mattresses in particular, it is extremely important that the air can circulate freely. In this way, mold, dust and odors can be prevented in advance.
Make sure that the baby mattress is made of a material that is air-permeable. Some models even have extra ventilation openings.
How heavy is the mattress?
The weight of the mattress is an issue that may not seem so important to you at first.
Keep in mind, however, that you are most likely to change sheets weekly. To do this, you need to lift the mattress every time.
- A light mattress makes this process a lot easier.
- The lightest mattresses are often made of foam.
If you want to take the mattress with you (e.g. for a baby travel cot ), we recommend a version that is as light as possible.
Is the mattress (or the mattress cover) washable?
The mattress in the cot has to cope with a lot: it doesn’t matter whether the little one is pouring the juice over the bed or the diaper suddenly no longer seals in the middle of the night.
Therefore, make sure in advance that the included mattress cover is made of a stable material and can be washed at at least 60 degrees.
Tip: Some parents swear by a waterproof cover that can even be easily wiped off.
New or used?
Having a child is not exactly cheap! It is therefore not surprising that many young parents are trying to save a few euros. However, it is better not to start with the mattress for the cot.
Why it is like that:
- Used mattresses are unhygienic (especially with babies)
- Dust mites and mold can accumulate here.
In the worst case scenario, you might spend money on the used mattress and then find out that it sags before your baby is old enough.
There is also a risk of increased bacterial infestation, which can often trigger allergies, especially in young children.
You should therefore invest in a new mattress right away.
The best mattresses for the baby bed in the test
You already know by now that there are a few things to consider when buying a mattress for your little one.
To make your search a little easier, here are some of my personal recommendations for the best mattresses for cots.
Toller Allrounder: OrthoMatra Junior-Duo
An all-round successful mattress from Betten ABC. The cold foam core is comfortable & very air-permeable, the cover is washable & also suitable for allergy sufferers.
The “duo” in the name already reveals it: the mattress consists of 2 different sides – the soft one is suitable for babies, the more stable one is used from 2 years of age.
So you can keep the mattress for a long time without having to buy a new one. The treads on the edge also make it easier to get up (and also protect against accidentally falling out.
Last but not least, the grooves provide enough fresh air – this reduces the formation of germs and protects your baby from sweaty nights.
Memory foam for babies and toddlers: mattresses from BestCare
This mattress impresses above all with the special foam including shape memory. It is namely thermo-elastic and adapts to the individual body shape via body temperature.
Since this system is not recommended for babies from the start, the manufacturer works with a turning system:
- The cold foam side can be used up to the age of two,
- the viscoelastic side from the age of three.
Your baby will enjoy the best possible sleeping comfort – right from the start.
In addition, the mattress offers support through a step edge on the edge. This prevents the mattress from giving in too much under load. The cover has been treated with aloe vera and is therefore particularly kind to the skin.
Baby mattress from Germany: Julius Zöllner
The Julius Zöllner brand offers many great mattress models and what is particularly practical: The mattresses are made in Germany.
This simple mattress consists of several layers of foam and offers perfect comfort for your little one.
You can switch between a baby side with a wave profile and a stable toddler side made of soft foam.
- In addition, the mattress is stabilized on the sides so that it is not too flexible.
- Thanks to the wave profile and the vertical air channels, the air can circulate well.
The supplied cover is made of hard-wearing polycotton and is washable up to 60 degrees. It is also tested for harmful substances and is therefore also recommended for allergy sufferers.
Natural mattress for the baby from Best care
This baby mattress is for all parents who want more naturalness. That is why it consists of plant fibers on one side (up to the 1st year of life) and on the other of cold foam (from the 2nd year of life).
- The lining made of hemp linen fibers naturally inhibits the growth of bacteria inside.
- It is hypoallergenic and at the same time you don’t have to worry about chemical ingredients.
The turning system and the materials used promise a particularly long service life. Here, too, there is a step edge on the sides for more stability. This is especially useful when your baby gets up or hops in bed.
What Else You Should Know
A mattress for the cot is actually just a small version of a mattress that fits perfectly into the cot.
Many mothers and fathers look forward to furnishing the nursery even before their baby is born. In addition to the decoration and the other furniture, this also includes preparing the bed and mattress.
Note: A mattress normally lasts around 5 years if it is properly maintained and cared for.
But then it should definitely be replaced – the material gives way and harmful germs spread.
Proper care of the mattress
After you’ve put so much effort into finding the right mattress, the best thing to do is to make sure that you can enjoy it for as long as possible.
What is important:
- Turning the mattress from time to time
You should turn the mattress about four times a year. In such a way that the foot area of the mattress is on top and vice versa. This is how you ensure that your little one wears the mattress evenly.
- Use a mattress cover
An accident can happen quickly, especially when dealing with a baby. With a simple mattress cover you can prevent the mattress from getting dirty or staining immediately.
- Change bed linen regularly
If the bed linen is not washed for a long period of time, a lot of dirt will accumulate. In the worst case, it can even reach the mattress. Many parents therefore recommend changing bed linen at least once a week.
Safety of a mattress for the baby bed
There are also specified safety standards with regard to the mattress that manufacturers must adhere to.
To do this, the products must pass various tests, such as contact with open flames or a cigarette.
- Many companies therefore use chemical flame retardants to prepare their products for an emergency.
- Other filling methods such as wool are naturally flame retardant and do not rely on chemical agents.
If you are concerned about the chemical treatment of the mattress, you should opt for the organic alternative.
But be careful: The term “organic” is not regulated by the state.
Many companies are taking advantage of this by promoting their product as organic when that is not the case.
More tips for healthy sleep
You are also welcome to browse the other sections and find out which measures you can take to improve your sleep:
- The bedroom category provides helpful tips on how to best furnish your bedroom .
- In the next section you will find more information on common sleep problems and sleep disorders .
- We explain current studies (understandable for everyone) in the category of sleep research .
- General tips & strategies for a healthy night’s sleep can be found here: Sleep better .
Please recommend this page to others if you liked this buying guide to mattresses for cots!
I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.
