When I was expecting there were so many things which, to me, seemed difficult because of a minefield of conflicting information about how best to approach the issue at hand....one of those tasks was purchashing a crib mattress.
So with that in mind, I thought that the below information may be useful to some of the first time mums to be out there....
How to choose your
first crib mattress
Buying your first mattress for a baby’s crib is an initially
daunting task. You’ll have all sorts of worries about what is best for your
child and what makes the perfect mattress.
This guide should help alleviate those concerns by breaking
down what you should to be looking for. Safety is paramount but the rest is a
matter of preference towards cost, comfort and durability.
Here are the essential points you need to consider.
Measurement
First thing you’ll want to do is get out the tape measure
and determine the width and length of your crib. You will need a mattress that
fits snugly, with no more than an inch of space between the crib frame and side
of the mattress. Any more than this and it could be a potential suffocation or entrapment
hazard for your baby.
Firmness
The firmness of the mattress you choose is also incredibly
important. If a crib mattress is too
soft it can conform to a baby’s shape and create a suffocation and SIDS hazard. Baby Center have put together a very informative
article on how to reduce
the risk to your baby. If you can
press down on the centre of the mattress and it doesn’t conform to the shape of
your hand, then it should be of adequate firmness.
Foam vs. Innerspring
Foam mattresses tend to be less expensive but you must ensure
they are firm and dense enough. Density can be a hard thing to determine as
it’s often not listed on the packaging. A good tip is to look at the weight. If
you compare it to a mattress of the same size, you’ll know which one is denser
by looking at which one weighs more.
Innerspring mattresses cost more but offer much higher
durability. Get a mattress that has between 135 to 150 coils and a gauge lower
than 15.5. If the coils are a lower gauge that means they are much thicker and
stronger as a result. This makes for a firmer mattress.
Organic
If you are concerned about manmade chemicals found in mattresses
you may want to consider going green. Organic mattresses tend to be more
expensive but a lot of people agree that the peace of mind makes them
worthwhile. They are made from all-natural materials – usually cotton or wool –
and are chemical free. TheLittle Green Sheep supply a number of organic cribmattresses that come in a variety of sizes. The thick layers of organic
wool help to prevent the growth of bacteria and dust mites, which can be
associated with foam mattresses.
Ticking and vent
holes
Have a look at the sides of the mattress for small holes.
These allow air to flow easily in and out so bad odours can escape.
A good mattress will have multiple layers of laminate
coating. This makes them very durable and easy to clean down from wet nappies.
If your mattress doesn’t come with this layer, separate covers can be purchased.
I hope this information helps out some of you mums to be!
