A mattress that says ‘Hush, baby hush…’

There is a lot of physical and mental development that takes place when a baby is asleep; which explains why sometimes the baby’s brain is more active during sleep than when awake. By age three, the average child has spent more time sleeping than all wakeful times combined—starting with 22 hours a day sleep in the first month.

Research shows that, just like in adults, insufficient sleep makes the baby grumpy, short tempered, irritable, rough and whiny; eventually affecting a child’s behaviour, health and learning. That is why it is important that you lay your baby on a place that gives the healthiest sleep possible. When shopping for the place to lay your baby (the mattress), the following tips will help give your baby the most restful sleep possible:

Reasonably firm
You may think that a soft mattress is what will be necessary for your baby’s little delicate body. But babies need a more solid sleep surface. This is because they can hardly wriggle themselves free from uncomfortable and even dangerous positions; like when their face sinks into the mattress after they turn over. That can lead to suffocating. Press down on the mattress and see how much of your hand sinks into the mattress. The less it sinks, the firmer the mattress and the better for your baby. Though note that it should neither feel like a table’s surface.

Perfect fit
Occasionally, you may find that a mattress does not fit well with a certain crib, so checking the fit is important. The mattress should fit fairly tight inside the crib such that you cannot push more than one finger down in between the mattress and crib frame easily. Otherwise, your baby’s sleep may be disrupted when the mattress keeps moving about when he turns.

Foam or springs?
It does not really matter. Foam mattresses are usually less expensive than those that have springs within. They are also just as safe, as long as they are not very soft—as indicated earlier. Foam mattresses are lighter, thus easier to handle when making the bed. For springs mattresses, check the number of springs. More coils usually mean a firmer mattress.

The cover
Many covers serve to ensure durability—when the topmost layer gets worn out. Some baby mattresses have an antimicrobial layer on top, and this may help cut down on germs from spit-ups and diaper accidents. You can also check to see how the mattress cover is sealed. The seams should feel sturdy and smooth all the way and not look stressed and ready to pop open.

If allergies run in the family, a fully sealed crib mattress may be a good choice. The ideal fabric should be cotton blends or other natural fabrics. Avoid a mattress with a cover made of vinyl or polyester. These do not allow the mattress to ‘breathe’ and may be uncomfortable in warm weather.

The cost
Crib mattresses do not have to be expensive to be safe, durable or useful. You can get a good mattress for about KES1000. Of course, you can spend more on aesthetics and special health features, such as mattresses with allergy-reducing covers or those made of natural material.

Warranty
Confirm that you can return the mattress, should you realize that it is faulty, in exchange of the appropriate one or for your money.

Outer edges support
Ensure that the sides of the mattress are well supported. The edges should have as much support as the middle. To confirm this, press from the centre of the mattress to the sides and back. All the areas should feel the same, so your baby never feels uneasy with the mattress’ change of topography when they get to move about.

END: BL24/16