Choosing a cot mattress

Choosing a cot mattress

How to choose the best Cot Mattress?

Finding the best cot mattress is one of the most important steps we need to take to have the perfect nursery before the arrival of the next family member. This choice concerns the family a lot since we all know how crucial it is to have the right mattress, especially at these ages.

Babies spend practically all their time in bed, so choosing the best cot mattress is essential if we want to offer them optimal rest. On the other hand, infants have very special characteristics such as their skull bones not being fully formed; that's why they need options that adapt to their needs.

We specifically explain how to choose a mattress for a baby and give you a series of tips so you can make the most of them, explaining what you need to consider for the cleaning and protection of a cot mattress. Keep reading!

How to Choose a Cot Mattress

When looking for the best cot mattress, it's important to understand that there is not only one correct option. The right choice will be one that can cover all the baby's basic needs and guarantee optimal rest. We tell you what are the key characteristics that a mattress should have to be suitable for little ones:

  1. Firmness: Keep in mind that babies spend more than half of their days sleeping until they turn two. Therefore, it's essential to choose a mattress that offers a firm base and distributes the baby's weight evenly. However, it's extremely important not to opt for one that is too hard as we will risk that their skull bones do not develop correctly due to pressure.
  2. Thickness: The mattress should not be excessively thick because the baby weighs very little; it's more than enough to have it between 12 and 18 cm thick.
  3. Fits the cot: Pay attention to the measurements and choose one that fits well on the bed base. It's important that there isn't too much leftover space to prevent the baby from fitting any part of their body in the gap. The maximum clearance should be at most half the width of a finger, and at least there should be room for sheets.
  4. Resistance and durability: Although we won't need to use them for many years, we will use them for quite some time. Keep in mind that babies spend a lot of time in bed, so we recommend opting for a sturdy and high-quality option.
  5. Temperature control: Choose a mattress made with breathable materials that regulate temperature. This way, we will prevent it from getting too hot in summer and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
  6. Hypoallergenic materials: When in doubt, the best option is to choose these types of materials to avoid skin irritation or the onset of asthma or allergies.
  7. Removable cover: All cot mattresses come with a cover; make sure it can be easily removed for washing.

Regarding the more technical parts and characteristics of the mattress, we need to focus on four fundamental aspects:

  1. Cover: Make sure the fabrics are breathable, hypoallergenic, and of good quality.
  2. Padding: Provides comfort to the mattress; make sure it's not excessive to ensure it's firm enough.
  3. Core: The firmest and most durable options are pocket springs or latex, although you can also find them made of foam or traditional springs.
  4. Sides: Check if they are reinforced to offer greater resistance and durability.

Cleaning and Protection of a Cot Mattress

Cleaning and protecting a cot mattress is a fundamental aspect to ensure not only its durability but also that it's free from bacteria and other harmful agents for babies. It's not uncommon for little ones to have a few accidents in the cot. For example, diaper leaks, vomiting, or drool; since they still don't control salivation. That's why we emphasize how important it is to choose a mattress that is removable. This will allow us to quickly remove its cover to put it in the washing machine in case of an accident. This way, we can keep the mattress in optimal conditions and free from bacteria and stains.

As two protections are better than one, we recommend that in addition to having a removable mattress, you also get a waterproof mattress protector. These options, as well as being very economical, protect the mattress from all kinds of leaks and help us keep it clean. You just have to make sure to choose an option that is hypoallergenic and breathable so it doesn't accumulate excess heat in the baby's bed, especially during summer.

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