Careful parents buy for their children only the best and the best, which can not damage the growing body. The question of how to choose a mattress for a child is very important, because many diseases of the spine come from childhood, and incorrect posture is often provoked by a dream on the wrong surface.
Which mattress is best for a child?
A healthy and full-fledged sleep of the child largely depends on which mattress it is lying on. The full value of sleep is important for the emotional state of children, their mental development, behavior, activity. Ensuring the correct position of the body is necessary for the prevention of curvature of the spine , entailing the dysfunction of the internal organs. Take care of this should be from the very birth of the baby, when his bone system is at the stage of formation and is very susceptible to structural deformation.
Now mattresses for children are presented in the widest range from different manufacturers, and making such a responsible choice is not so simple. In order not to be mistaken, it is recommended to focus on a few key points:
- the size of the bed;
- material mattress;
- mechanical properties;
- strength;
- simplicity of care.
Spring or springless mattress for the child?
Asking which mattress to choose best for a child, parents face a large number of their varieties. First of all, mattresses are classified into two groups:
- spring;
- springless.
The first basis is made up of blocks of steel springs, thanks to which the light parts of the body are supported and a deflection is created under the heavy ones. The spring framework can consist of dependent spring blocks attached to each other, or operate autonomously, being placed in separate shelves (independent spring blocks). In any case, above the springs is one or more thin layers of fillers.
Springless variants are products from monolithic or combined blocks of fillers represented by artificial or natural materials, among which:
- coconut fiber;
- latex (natural, synthetic);
- seaweed;
- polyurethane foam;
- wool (sheep, camel);
- fiber from banana leaves, etc.
There is no one-sided opinion as to which of the two types of mattresses is more suitable for children's sleep. A mattress for a child with or without springs, if it is of high quality, is made according to modern technologies, will perform its functions perfectly. At the same time, most experts believe that for children up to 12-14 years, the optimal option is springless. This is explained by the following advantages of this type of products in comparison with spring ones:
- in them there is practically no accumulation of dust;
- in the absence of metal, static electricity is not created;
- mattresses without springs are noiseless;
- absence of hesitation and "hammock" effect;
- the block of springless mattress will not be damaged from jumping on it;
- lightness of the product, etc.
Orthopedic mattresses for children
Children's orthopedic mattresses are designed to provide the most natural position of the body and spine during sleep. They are developed taking into account all the features of the musculoskeletal system, the correct distribution of pressure and anatomical support of different parts of the body. In the first months of life, when the weight of the child is small, the supporting effect of the mattress does not appear. Therefore, an orthopedic mattress for newborns is not needed. Such a purchase is better planned when the crumb turns three years old, and the spine will get physiological curves.
Thinking about how to choose a mattress for a child, it is necessary to provide suitable rigidity and elasticity, ecological compatibility, hypoallergenicity, good moisture exchange and thermoregulation of materials. When purchasing this product, it is necessary to check the availability of documents for it, including a certificate confirming the sanitary-epidemiological status and safety of a certain model.
What is the stiffness of a mattress for a child?
A sleeping place for a child should not only be comfortable for him, but also ensure the normal development of the musculoskeletal system. In many respects this is determined by rigidity. And for different ages, at different stages of skeleton formation, this indicator should be different:
- The most rigid mattresses for children are required until the age of 3-4 years, when the muscles are not yet strong and the spine of the spine is gradually formed, and soft surfaces can damage this process.
- Moderately rigid and at the same time highly elastic should be a mattress for babies from 3 to 6 years - during the period of active development of skeletal muscles and spine, replacement of flexible cartilage tissue with firm bone.
- A medium-hard mattress is needed from the age of six to adolescence, when the child already has high demands on the sleeping conditions, and his personal preferences, as well as physiological characteristics, should be taken into account.
Coconut mattresses for children
Coconut filler (coir) - a natural material derived from coconut. It is durable, does not lend itself to rot, is waterproof. For a long time, coir mattresses were considered the best option for babies because of its rigidity and environmental friendliness, but recently there are facts that call into question the safety of such a product.
The fact is that coconut fiber quickly crumbles and deforms, and to prevent this, many manufacturers rubberize it, practically devaluing the naturalness of the material. The formulations that are used in this way may contain toxic components. Therefore, such products have a persistent rubber odor, and not infrequent is the allergy to a coconut mattress in a child. Deciding on such an acquisition, you should give preference to models with removable covers that allow you to check the quality of the filler, and to check compliance certificates.
If a synthetic but natural latex is used for bonding the fibers in a coconut mattress - foamed rubber of a rubber tree, it is really environmentally friendly, but costly. Its solid base does not allow flexing the spine and ensures correct distribution of the load. The thickness of the product should not be less than three centimeters.
Hypoallergenic mattress for baby
With the greatest difficulties parents may come across, thinking about how to choose a mattress for a child suffering from allergic diseases. In mattresses for allergy sufferers, in no case should dust and moisture stay, conditions for reproduction of fungi and bacteria should be created, because almost any material used in making mattresses can act as an allergen substance, it is important to know what irritants the baby's organism reacts to .
Many experts recommend buying a polyurethane foam or natural latex mattress for a child with allergies, which are well ventilated and do not accumulate dust. In addition to protect the baby will help anti-allergenic protective cover on the mattress, which not only does not let allergens from the inside out, but also prevents the ingestion of particles of the epidermis and other microparticles that feed the mites .
How to choose the right mattress for a child?
When deciding which mattress to choose for a child, you need to consider not only the composition of the filling and upholstery, but also the dimensions. In no event can you buy a mattress "for growth", because Requirements for the sleeping place are largely determined by the age of the baby and change as it grows and develops. Therefore, babies just discharged from the hospital, you need one thing, and children older - preschoolers, children of junior and secondary school age, adolescents - completely different. If the child already has health problems, it is better to consult a doctor before buying a mattress.
How to choose a mattress for a newborn in a crib?
A mattress for a newborn baby should be tough not only because it is necessary for the normal formation of the bone system. During sleep, babies often like to be on their stomach, with their faces resting on the mattress, and if it is soft, then breathing can be difficult. Therefore, based on anatomical and physiological needs, it is better to choose on the latex or coconut variant, and even better - on a combined latex-coconut with a thin layer of soft material.
Which mattress to choose a child from 3 years old?
Mattresses for children from 3 years must be less rigid. At this age, you can already look at the spring version, but it is better with an independent structure. In this case, the interlayers on top of the blocks must be necessarily rigid and elastic. For example, it could be a foam with a memory effect that takes the form of a child's body during his sleep, and then returns to its original state.
Which mattress to choose for a teenager?
Considering how to choose a mattress for a grown up child, it is important to consider its height and weight. It is mandatory to consider on which mattress it is better to sleep a child - hard or softer. At the big weight and growth softness should be above, for thin and low it is more preferable mattresses with elastic fillings. An excellent option can be a double-sided product with soft and hard surfaces.
Standard mattresses for children - sizes
The size of the mattress should be commensurate with the dimensions of the bed . It is permissible that it should be less by 2 cm in length and 1 cm in width. The following standard sizes are available:
- mattresses for children under 3 years - 60 × 120 cm, 65 × 130 cm, 70 × 140 cm;
- orthopedic mattresses for children from 3 years - with a width from 70-80 cm, length - 140-90 cm.
Which firm to choose a mattress for a child?
An important factor in the matter of how to choose a mattress for a child is the reputation of the manufacturer. The following manufacturers of children's mattresses have proved well:
- Askona;
- Mediflex;
- Materlux
- Neoflex;
- Dormisan;
- Breckle.