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How to buy a kid’s mattress
FOAM MATTRESSES ARE COMFY AND LIGHT, BUT SPRING MATTRESSES ARE BETTER FOR JUMPING!
So many options, so many price points. Whether you’re looking for your baby’s crib or their first “big kid” bed, here’s help figuring it all out. LET’S START WITH THE BASICS: When it comes to mattresses of any size—from crib to California king—your options are spring, foam and hybrid. Spring mattresses are firm and supportive, thanks to the steel coils inside. The number, gauge, shape and positioning of the coils varies between brands, but generally speaking, the more coils in the mattress, the more supportive and durable it is. Choose from pocket coil (or “enclosed spring”) mattresses, which have individually wrapped coils that work independently, and innerspring (or “open coil”) mattresses, which have interconnected coils that work together. Both types are encased in one or more layers of padding or upholstery. Foam mattresses come in many varieties. You can find them made from polyurethane, latex (plant- or petroleum-based) and/ or gel, with different densities, textures and layers (for example, breathable foam on top, flexible foam in the middle and high-density support foam below). Foam conforms to the body, relieving pressure points while still providing support. And because foam mattresses are lighter than spring mattresses, it’s easier to change sheets. Foam is also less bouncy, though, so less fun to jump on! Hybrid mattresses have both springs and foam. Some are doublesided—for example, with one firm side for babies and a more cushioned side for toddlers. Besides mattress composition, here are some other key points to keep in mind.
For your baby’s safety, a mattress must fit tightly in the crib. The standard size of a crib mattress is 28 by 52 inches, and it should be no more than six inches thick. If you can fit more than one finger between the mattress and each side of the crib, the mattress is too small, according to Child Safety Link, an injury-prevention program at IWK Health Centre in Halifax. To prevent suffocation, the mattress should also be flat and very firm with no soft spots. When you’re shopping, test the firmness of each crib mattress by pushing down on its centre and edges—you should feel good resistance. Spring mattresses should have border rods around the perimeter to prevent sagging when your baby stands or walks on the sides or edges. Foam surfaces shouldn’t conform to the shape of your hand, and they should “snap back readily,” say the experts at Consumer Reports. They also recommend comparing mattress weights to check foam density, or doing a density test: Hold the mattress and
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press your palms into the centre from both sides. “A dense mattress won’t allow you to press very far.” Also look for signs of quality construction, as you would if buying a mattress for yourself. These could include thicker fabric coverings, quality cushioning, sturdy edges and denser foam or higher-gauge springs. It’s better to buy a new crib mattress than reuse a second-hand one. An improperly cleaned or stored mattress can harbour mould and bacteria. And in case there’s any question about using an air mattress or a waterbed, these are not safe sleep surfaces for babies. Neither are many adult mattresses (see “What about co-sleeping?” at right). Ditto for playpens, car seats, strollers, swings, bouncers and hammocks—if your baby falls asleep in one of these, it’s safest to transfer them to a crib, cradle or bassinet.
KIDS’ MATTRESSES Kids tend to transition from a crib to a “big kid” bed starting around age two and a half. Alanna McGinn, a sleep consultant
STOCKSY
CRIB MATTRESSES
