When it comes to buying a new mattress—whether for an adult or a child—the Internet is full of all kinds of advice and tips. However, when it comes to baby bed supplies, things can quickly get complicated. In this regard,buying a mattressisundoubtedly one of the first priorities, even though—beyond questions of price—choosing the right product must be based on strict criteria. Among the issues that come up frequently, thethickness of ababy mattresscausesa fair amount of confusion, particularly because you hear all sorts of advice here and there—not all of which is worth following.
So, what should be the thickness of a foam or latex mattress? Should it be 10 or 15 cm? To help you take your baby’s sleep needs into account, here’s a rundown of tips for choosing the right mattress thickness.
The Importance of a Mattress for a Baby
As we saw in the introduction, buying ababy mattressisan essential step for new parents. However, they may not necessarily be aware of how important it is to choose the right product—especially when it comes to its thickness—since the mattress must provide optimal support for the infant.
Neither too soft nor too firm,a baby’s mattressisall the more important given that a newborn can spendup to 18 hours a day in it. Similarly, after the age of one, a toddler needs 15 hours ofsleepeach day. As you can see, a baby’s bed is of paramount importance not only for rest but alsofor growth, which is why it’s essential to choose it with great care.
With that in mind, it’s important to understand, for example, that the mattress thickness must be suited to the bed frame, as well as to your little one’s potential movements. Traditionally, therefore, it’s best to choose a mattress that isn’t very thick.
Choosing the Right Thickness for a Baby Mattress Based on the Crib
For a comfortable night’s sleep, a baby needs all the necessary support while in bed, starting with their back. In fact, whether it’s the spine, the neck, or the lower back,bone and muscle problemsthatcan develop due to a poor-quality mattress are likely to have disastrous consequences for the baby’s growth. To choose the right model—and therefore the right thickness—you need to consider the different possible scenarios. Are you lookingfor amattress for a cradle? Do you want to buy amattress for a crib? Or are you looking for a mattress for your newborn’s playpen? We’ll help you figure out which mattress to choose in each of these situations.
The thickness of a mattress for a baby's crib
If you’re shopping for a mattress for your baby’s crib or bassinet, your selection criteria are obviously different from those for a bed intended for an older toddler. To maximize comfort for newborns during their first weeks of life, athickness of 6 to 8 cmisgenerally considered ideal. Although this may seem insufficient, keep in mind that a baby is very light during this stage of life. There’s no need, therefore, to buy a mattress that’s too thick or too firm.
The Thickness of a Mattress for a Baby's Crib
After the crib stage comes the time for a big bed, even if your baby is still an infant. Now more than ever, your baby’s needs are changing and require quality back support. Therefore, you should increase the mattress thickness and choose one that’sbetween 8 and 15 cm. Be careful, however, because depending on the materials used to make the mattress, this measurement can vary significantly from one model to another. Starting at age one, it’s also essential to consider the mattress density, a specification listed inkg/m³onproduct pages. This figure indicates the mattress’s firmness and its ability to support your baby throughout the night. The lower the density, the poorer the support.
For a crib, it is recommended to choosea density of at least 30kg/m³ to ensure the mattress will last for years to come. In any case, be sure to avoid foam mattresses with a density lower than 25kg/m³, as they will sag very quickly.
The thickness of a mattress for a baby playpen
If you're looking for a mattress for your baby's playpen, it's important to consider criteria other than those that apply to a crib. After all, the purpose here isn’t to support the child while they sleep, but rather while they’re playing. So, not only must the mattress provide the necessary comfort, but it must also allow the child to move around easily. This means limiting the height of the mattress and choosing only models that arebetween 4 and 5 cm thick.
Keep in mind, however, that the density of a playpen mattress must be fairly high, especially since your child is likely to stand on it. For this reason, a minimum density of35kg/m³isrequired for added safety.
Choosing the Thickness of a Baby Mattress Based on Its Composition
Although there are generally accepted guidelines regarding the thickness ofbaby mattresses, it’s important to understand that a number of factors can influence this. Among them arethe mattress’s composition and the materials used, which play a direct role given their significant differences. It is therefore important to distinguish between synthetic and natural materials, because while the support provided by the former is excellent for your baby’s growth, that of the latter is not naturally optimal and requires your full attention as parents.
Therefore, the minimum required thickness for your baby'smattresscanbe specified as follows:
- at least 12 cm for a mattress made of synthetic materials (polyurethane foam, memory foam, synthetic latex, etc.);
- between 7 and 10 cm for a mattress made of natural materials (100% natural latex, coconut fibers, etc.).
As you can see,natural-fiber mattressesrequirea much thinner profile, since they provide better support for your baby. Therefore, when it comes to synthetic materials, you should be cautious.
Please note that, for your baby’s safety, the thickness of the mattress should never exceed 15 cm, as this could raise your baby too high in the crib and increase the risk of an accident. Also, don’t be misled by the common misconception that greater thickness is a sign of quality. In fact, only density can tell you that—since there are thin mattresses with high density, and vice versa. The issue of thickness is primarily a matter of support and safety.
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