Baby crib mattress: Make sure it's safe

Neonates and toddlers sleep a lot more than adults. A neonate can sleep up to 12 hours every day. Hence they are in contact with their mattresses for a long time. In order to ensure that they remain healthy and safe for the initial years of their life, it is essential to make sure that the mattresses they are sleeping on are not affecting their health.

The top layers of baby mattresses are often made of cheap, synthetic materials, like low grade polymer-based materials, synthetic fabrics, etc. While it is true that the baby will not come in direct contact with the mattress surface because of the bed sheet placed over it, they are still at risk. These top layers can react with the filler materials as the mattress gets older, producing poisonous gases. In low doses, these gases may not harm the baby, but higher quantities produced can be injurious to a baby's health. Apart from that, some of these gases have been directly linked with SIDS (crib death).

A good solution of this problem is to use organic mattresses having a top cover made of organic cotton and filled with cotton wool to ensure complete comfort for the baby. These mattresses have several advantages over conventional mattresses. These are as follows:

1. These mattresses are non-allergenic for infants and non-reactive in nature as well. Besides, the risk of emission of poisonous gases is eliminated.


2. Cleaning the mattress is very easy. Simply soak in water with a mild detergent added to it, wash and dry. Most organic mattresses are also machine-washable, making washing those a breeze.


3. These mattresses last quite long, and will often outlast traditional synthetic mattresses. So the little extra price that you have to pay while buying it may actually seem economical in the long run.

Once you have chosen the type of mattress you are going to buy, make sure the mattress is comfortable. Your baby is going to spend most of the time of the day on it, so it has to keep him/her contented. Make sure that the filling material is not lumpy. Also, check whether the mattress has reinforced double stitches all over. This will ensure durability of the mattress.

Baby mattresses can be good investments, since the baby will probably sleep on it for quite a few years. Mattresses made of non-toxic fabrics and having good quality filler material can keep a neonate sleeping comfortably and also promote growth of the baby.