Guide: How to choose the right mattress for your child

The bed or stroller creates a safe environment for good sleep, and the mattress provides a soft and comfortable surface. Therefore, a mattress, and the right mattress, is extremely important. But mattresses are somewhat of a science, as there are different sizes, materials, types of foam, and springs to choose from.

We hope our guide here can help you gain clarity on the various options, leading up to you being able to purchase the right mattress for your child. Happy reading!

Overview

With a category like mattresses, where there are many different factors, it can be a jungle to navigate. We try to help you gain an overview in this guide, where we go through the different materials that mattresses for children are made of and sizes for mattresses for cribs and strollers.

• General information about mattresses
• Best tested mattresses for cribs
• Different types of mattresses
  • Mattresses for strollers
  • Mattress for baby crib
  • Mattress for children's bed
• Practical considerations
  • Sizes – measurements
  • Material
  • Certifications and markings: choose a good mattress for your child
  • Accessories
• Safety and bedtime
• Mattress test – 3 quick tips to choose correctly
• Take good care of the mattress – maintenance
• Goodnight and sleep well!

There are many points, and we hope they help you purchase the right mattress for your child. If you have more questions while reading the guide, or if you find that you need further assistance, you can contact our sweet customer service via email: info@mammashop.dk or on weekdays from 10-15 by phone: 36 93 90 22.

General information about mattresses

A mattress is the bed and sleep's most important element. It ensures that the child lies softly and comfortably in bed. A mattress can also ensure chemical-free and hypoallergenic environments, provide good springiness in the bed, and help the body maintain a good temperature throughout the night.

You probably know from your own experience how much a thin mattress can ruin sleep and cause a sore body. We would of course never subject our dear little ones to that, which is why it is important to choose a good mattress. At Mammashop, we sell delicious mattresses from Coocoon Company, Hoppekids, Baby Dan, Leander, Candide , Sebra and Kid’oh.

Children's beds and strollers: Mattresses best in test

Only the best is good enough for our little treasures. But in the category of mattresses, fortunately, there are many really good products that can provide your child with the best comfort and support. One of the things you can look for if you are on the hunt for a quality mattress is a best in test marking. This means that the product, compared to other similar products, has been rated as the best. At Mammashop, it will be displayed as a clear marking on the product.

You can also advantageously look for various certifications and qualities. This could be the Swan label, OEKO-tex certification, and asthma and allergy friendliness. With us at Mammashop, you can see the specifications of each mattress by clicking on the mattress. We will go through the different materials further down in this guide.

Different types of mattresses

A good mattress is always important, as we have gradually made clear in this guide. But it is also really important that you choose the right mattress and that it meets exactly the needs you have. Therefore, we have outlined below the different types of mattresses you may need, both for the stroller, when you go on a trip, and for the children's room in the baby or children's bed.

If you need a guide on how to choose the right bed, we have help for you; click here – and you will be sent to our Guide: How to choose the right bed for a child.

Mattresses for the stroller

It is most common for a mattress to come with a stroller. A mattress that certainly meets the most basic needs for a stroller mattress. But if you want to give your child better comfort in the stroller, you can buy a quality mattress that offers better suspension, extra comfort, or special certifications regarding allergy friendliness or sustainability.

It can also be a really good idea to keep the original mattress, as it can be good to have if the new one gets wet or needs a wash.

For a stroller and/or the carrycot, it is most common to measure between 29-31 cm x 75 cm or 36-37 cm x 95-96 cm.

Mattress for baby bed

Your child has been lying in the softest, safest cocoon for nine months. An extra good mattress can make the transition from womb to the big world a little less unfamiliar. It can create a soft and good foundation for good sleep and security.

A good breathable and temperature-regulating mattress can be an advantage for a baby, as this is a skill that babies only fully develop after birth and during their first year of life. With a new mattress, you can also ensure that the surroundings are allergy-friendly, chemical-free, or organic, depending on what is important to you.

For a baby bed, the most common dimensions are 60 x 120 cm, 70 x 120 cm, and 70 x 140 cm. There are beds in special sizes, but there are often special mattresses for those as well. At Mammashop, we have mattresses for all the beds we sell.

Mattress for children's bed

Children are in constant development, and to process all the impressions they receive throughout the day, good sleep is really important. Many factors influence how sleep proceeds, such as illness, a duvet that is bothersome, and what else is going on in the child's life. But with a good mattress, you create a really good foundation for good sleep.

In a children's/junior bed, there needs to be room for growth, and therefore the dimensions for a children's bed are 70 x 160 cm, 70 x 190 cm, and 90 x 200 cm. Some brands may have other special dimensions, so it is important that you always check what the bed's dimensions are before you buy a mattress for a children's bed.

Are you looking for mattresses in sizes other than the three mentioned? At Mammashop, we also have mattresses in many other sizes than the three mentioned; if you click here, you will go to our page with mattresses, and at the top here, you can click on Sizes and choose the one you are looking for. This is also where you can select specific brands or price ranges, so your search is filtered accordingly.

Practical considerations

Before you buy a mattress, there are several things that you can advantageously pay attention to, so you buy the right mattress. Of course, the dimensions are important, but also what type of foam and cover the mattress has. We have also described what types of accessories you can advantageously buy to create the best sleeping environment for your child.

Sizes – measurements

We have written about the different sizes of mattresses for prams and baby and children's beds, but here are the most common ones again:

Measurements for mattress for pram:

• In a pram with a short lying surface: 29-31 cm x 75 cm
• In a pram with a long lying surface: 36-37 cm x 95-96 cm

Measurements for mattress for baby bed:

• 60 x 120 cm
• 70 x 120 cm
• 70 x 140 cm

Measurements for mattress for children's bed:

• 70 x 160 cm,
• 70 x 190 cm
• 90 x 200 cm

The above are the most common measurements, but there are brands that make beds in special sizes. Therefore, it is always a good idea to pay attention to the dimensions of the bed. If you have questions or are in doubt about something, you can always contact our customer service, where we are ready to help you.

Mattress thickness

In all measurements, only the length and width of the mattress are specified, but there can also be differences in how thick the mattress is. In most cases, it is a matter of personal preference regarding the thickness of the mattress.

If you choose for your child to have a cool loft bed, mid-height bed, or bunk bed, you should read on below.

Mattress for loft bed - important!

To ensure that your child sleeps safely and securely in a bed that is raised high above the ground, legislation has been made in this area. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this before purchasing a mattress for a loft bed.

In relation to, for example, Hoppekids, from which we sell high and bunk beds, we recommend that you never place a mattress thicker than 9 cm in. There are also mattresses for children's beds with a thickness of 12 cm, which we therefore only recommend for low beds.

Material

Perhaps at this point, you are aware of what size mattress you need for your child. The next step in trying to find the right mattress can therefore be to choose the right material. Therefore, we have outlined below the different types of cores and covers that can be found in mattresses.

Core

For adult beds, it is very common to have a mattress with springs as the core; however, you should not look for this if it is a mattress for children's beds. Due to children's weight, when it is under 50 kg, the springs will not function as they do in adult beds. Therefore, the most common in mattresses for baby and children's beds is that they have a core of foam.

But there are many different types, and we will briefly go through the most commonly used below:

• Cold foam

Popular for its durability, firmness, and high comfort. Cold foam is naturally fire-retardant and OEKO-tex certified, ensuring that it is free from harmful chemicals. You can find this in several mattresses from Hoppekids.

• Kapok

The silky soft natural fiber Kapok is extracted from the seed pod of a special tree that grows in tropical rainforests. Kapok is known and loved for being a natural material. It is hypoallergenic, 100% chemical-free, and antibacterial. It has temperature-regulating properties and is particularly breathable and moisture-wicking. It is frequently used in mattresses from Cocoon Company.

• Waterlily® Foam

This type of patented foam is Swan marked and among the most environmentally friendly on the market. The core is made from a special type of foam that provides better cushioning, softness, and good comfort. The surface of the mattress is absorbent, ensuring good breathability and moisture transport. This type of foam is often found in Kid’oh mattresses.

• PU Foam

Durable and firm type of foam that often serves as the core in other types of foam or latex, which forms the outer layer of the mattress. PU foam is among the cheapest types of foam. It is a common type of foam in many mattresses.

• Marine Fibers

A mattress made from marine fibers is created with care for the environment. Marine fibers are made from recycled plastic from the ocean, which is broken down in an ecological process and woven together with polyester fibers. As a mattress, marine fibers provide particularly good support. Marine fibers can be found in several mattresses from Candide.

• Memory Foam

This type of foam is known for its softness and how it conforms to the body. It can almost be described as if a memory foam mattress adapts to the child's body. Memory foam is popular and used in many mattresses.

Cover

The cover on a mattress is the material that is closest to your child, so it can be worth considering what materials it is made of. You can, in relation to mattresses for babies and children, also look for the option to remove the cover. This makes it easier to wash the cover if it gets dirty. If the cover needs a wash, remember to check the washing instructions on the product.

The most common types of materials for covers are cotton, polyester, and bamboo fibers. Among the three, the biggest differences are the production and treatment of the materials, whether they are organic, chemical-free, sustainably produced, and whether they are particularly hypoallergenic. Below, we have mentioned the different types of certifications that you may want to be aware of or look for.

Certifications and Labels: Choose a Good Mattress for Your Child

A good bed and a good mattress can provide really good conditions for a good sleep. But if you want to ensure the best environment for your child during the hours they spend in bed, you should pay attention to the following labels. We have also included certifications that indicate that the product is created with consideration for the environment.

• Swan Label

This is one of the most stringent environmental certifications, awarded to products and services based on how the entire journey of the product has been. They must be among the environmentally best to receive this certification.

• OEKO-tex and OEKO-tex Standard 100

This certification is awarded to products that have been tested and approved according to strict requirements regarding the content of chemicals and harmful substances.

• Allergy and Chemical-Free

Products can be allergy-friendly and chemical-free without being certified with an international certification. In products where special consideration has been given during production, this will be indicated in the text under the relevant product.

• Organic

If the description of a mattress states that it is made from organic materials, it means that pesticides, additives, and artificial fertilizers were not used in production. It is a production that takes into account animals and nature.

Accessories

We hope that you now have a better understanding of what is important to you when choosing a new mattress for your child's bed or stroller. If it is for a stroller, you can check if there is any other stroller accessory you need.

If the mattress is for a bed, you might consider whether you are missing any of the following: top mattress, roll mattress, sheets, duvet and pillow, and bedding. All of this contributes to creating a good and safe sleeping environment where your child can get their nightly sleep. If you want to make the child's room and bed extra cozy, you might consider a bed canopy, a bed bumper, or some soft plush toys.

Safety and Bedtime

We have noted that there are important things to be aware of regarding safety when choosing a mattress for loft beds. It is important that the distance from the mattress to the edge of the bed is large enough to be safe for the child. Here, we recommend that you read the applicable legislation in the area.

However, regarding safety, parents may feel insecure, fearing that the child may get hurt. Here, we recommend that you refer to this document from the Health Authority about the safety of small children.

Here you can read about how to avoid accidents and injuries with the right bed and mattress. It is also described how a baby should lie and be placed in the bed if you wish to sleep in the same bed. However, they recommend that an infant sleeps in their own bed: “The safest place for an infant to sleep is in their own bed in the same room as the parents”

They also tell how important it is that the mattress you buy fits the child's bed, as gaps between the bed and the mattress can be dangerous.

Mattress Test – 3 Quick Tips for Choosing Right

1. Size
   Find the right size. A mattress must have the correct dimensions to fit a specific bed or crib.
2. Material
   Choose the best material for your child
3. Value
   Consider what specific needs the mattress should meet. What values are most important to you – is it that it is chemical-free, organic, particularly breathable, or that it is a sustainable mattress for a crib.

Take Good Care of the Mattress – Maintenance

We hope that you now feel better equipped to buy the right mattress for your child's bed. Once the mattress has arrived at your home, there are several things you can do to ensure that the mattress's durability is extended or at least not shortened.

You can do this by being aware of the following 5 things:

• Read and follow the instructions before using the mattress. Many mattresses benefit from lying for 24-48 hours to allow the foam to unfold properly.
• Protect the mattress with a top and/or mattress protector.
• Ventilation is healthy for both the sleeping climate and the mattress. This applies to both ventilation in the room, but also that you do not cover the bed with a duvet, as it restricts the mattress's ventilation.
• Rotate the mattress regularly. This way, you ensure that the mattress is not constantly stressed in the same spot. It is recommended to do this once a quarter. It may also be a good idea to prop the mattress up for airing during the day. NOTE! Always ensure that there are air channels in your bed base so that the mattress can breathe!
• Follow the instructions regarding washing the mattress.

Good night and sleep well!

You are soon ready to tuck your child or baby safely and comfortably on a good mattress. We hope that our guide has made the choice easier for you, so you can choose the mattress that suits your needs. If you have questions or need guidance, you are always welcome to contact our customer service, we have extensive knowledge of our products – and experience in creating a good sleeping environment for our own children.

We from Mammashop wish you a good night's sleep!