A sound and healthy sleep contributes to the well-being and mood of the child. It is very important that he has a comfortable sleeping place. Therefore, the choice of a mattress for the baby must be approached with all responsibility. Doctors directly associate spinal problems with the wrong mattress. When buying it, you need to consider a number of factors: the age of the child, his needs, the design of the mattress and the quality of the material being filled. In order to accurately answer which mattress is best for the child, it is worth exploring its variety. There are several models on the market: with dependent and independent springs, and latex-coconut.
Varieties of mattresses
Models with dependent springs are a block of fastened springs. Such mattresses meet all quality standards, are inexpensive and have proven themselves among consumers. The spring unit provides excellent breathability. This model will be a good solution if in the future the child has a full-fledged adult bed.
Mattresses with an independent spring block are the most popular among the Russian population. There is an opinion that they are harmful to children, since "spring vibrations" can harm the children's spine. According to experts, not a single study has confirmed this, and in science such a concept does not exist. If the above facts do not reassure parents, then they can get a good springless mattress filled with high-quality polyurethane foam or latex, which is less common.
An economical model is the latex-coconut mattress. It is made of holofiber and has no springs. Its low price is due to the short service life due to the thin layer of coconut coir. Therefore, only parents can choose which mattress is best for the child: spring or springless.
Materials used
For the manufacture of children's mattresses, safe materials are used. When buying, you should pay attention to the product packing and cover. Natural fillers are considered the safest, as they do not cause allergies, are not confirmed by decay and pass air well. The coir is the most popular natural filler, but the linen product is not inferior to it. It differs in strength, elasticity, and thermal bonding is even higher than that of coir. In addition, such material does not crumble or crumple, which increases its service life.
Impurities added to the natural filler should also be considered. Today, latexized coconut fiber can hardly be called safe, since the formaldehydes contained in such a mattress can harm the health of the child. Therefore, many manufacturers abandoned such a filler.
Mattresses with springs also require close attention. The material separating the layers of the springs must be very strong, since it protects the remaining layers of the mattress and does not allow it to bend.
Which mattress is better for a child from 2 years
For children of this age, the requirements for a place to sleep are the most stringent. Many parents of young children often ask which mattress is best for a child from 2 years old. Pediatricians say that for babies of this age it is better to choose a hard option. You should forget about batting, since cotton wool has the peculiarity of falling off, forming holes and knolls. On such a surface, it is difficult for a child to find a comfortable sleeping position. The same problem with a foam mattress. In addition, it is too soft, and a two-year-old baby will simply be buried in it.
Expert advice: coir or latex foam
Doctors recommend buying a hard mattress. The fact is that in young children there is no physiological deflection of the spine, and in order for proper posture to form , a rigid model is more suitable. The best option would be a mattress filled with coconut. Such a product will provide the necessary elasticity and rigidity, in addition, it is absolutely safe for the baby, since coconut flakes are hypoallergenic. Also, coir does not absorb odors, does not absorb moisture and perfectly passes air. A strong and healthy sleep is provided to the child. If parents doubt, you should consult a specialist, he will always tell you which mattress is best for the child.
The best option for a two-year-old baby will be a double-sided mattress. Its advantage is that one side is filled with coconut, which is perfect even for newborn babies, and the second is made of latex foam. Latex is similar to coir, it is a completely safe material that does not cause allergies. In addition, polyurethane foam will serve its owner for a long time.
The kid is three years old
Children grow up very quickly, so parents have to change the bed corresponding to the age of the baby. In this regard, it is necessary to buy other bedding. When choosing them, parents are lost, because they do not know which mattress is better for a child from 3 years to buy. For this age, it is better to choose an orthopedic mattress, since it is able to ensure the correct position of the back while the baby is sleeping. It should be checked that it is not too hard, as children do not get enough sleep on such mattresses. Older children do not spend as much time in bed as newborns - their sleep decreased to about 8-9 hours. Orthopedists are allowed to use the mattress a little softer. By the age of three, the baby’s body has changed a little - strong bone tissue has replaced elastic cartilage, but physiological bends still continue to form. By the age of 7, a cervical bend is usually established, and by 12 - the lumbar. Therefore, in order to maintain the forming spine, you should choose a mattress that is not too hard.
Four year old baby
Closer to four years for a baby who has grown out of a crib, they buy a more spacious berth. Not all parents choose the teenage option, and rightly so. The bed should not be too big for the baby. As he grows, his needs for comfort change. The kid becomes active in movements, games. Therefore, parents should think about another bed and which mattress is best for a 4 year old child. Experts recommend choosing a mattress that is ready for unusual loads. Spring models perfectly support the spine and replace the child with a trampoline. Springless mattresses are recommended from a medical point of view, but you will not spend fun time on them. In any case, no matter which mattress is chosen, it should be of medium stiffness and a height of 7 to 10 centimeters.
The child is 5 years old
In fact, there is no definite answer which mattress is best for a child of 5 years old. Some doctors argue that for a baby of this age, you can already buy spring mattresses, which are of two types: with a block of dependent springs and independent. It is better to refuse the first category, since such a mattress does not provide the necessary support for the spine. The fact is that the dependent springs are interconnected, and with the weight of the child they bend, so it cannot be called orthopedic. But the mattress of the second category has an orthopedic effect due to the special design. Each spring is “packed”, as it were, and pressing one does not cause deflection of the other springs. Which mattress is best for the child is up to the parents. But do not save on the health of your kids.
It should be noted that a springless mattress is also suitable for a five-year-old child. But it should be of medium hardness, made of latex or polyurethane foam. Of course, not every family can afford natural latex, since it is an expensive material and is used mainly in high-end models. As an option - artificial latex, which in quality and properties is not inferior to natural, but its cost is much lower. A polyurethane foam mattress is even cheaper, but it meets all the requirements that apply to children's mattresses. Due to the strength of the material and high elasticity, springless mattresses are durable.
From five years and above
If the child is already 5 years old, then he is recommended a model with a block of independent springs or a springless mattress of medium hardness. The filler in this model is coconut coir, latex or orto-foam. On the forums you can often find the question of which mattress is best for a child from 5 years old. Recommendations come in different. But it’s better to consult a pediatrician, taking into account the needs and characteristics of the child.
The child is 7 years old
Compared to young children, the seven-year-old spine does not need a hard mattress with coconut filling. Now the baby can choose a mattress for himself. Parents can only check the quality of the product and choose the appropriate size.
But still, it's worth figuring out which mattress is best for a 7-year-old child. As already mentioned, spring-free latex models last longer for their owners. To provide support for the spine, the height of the mattress should be more than 11 centimeters. Experts advise choosing models of well-known manufacturers that have proven themselves well, then a berth will keep the child a healthy posture. Of course, a double-sided mattress with different stiffness is suitable for any age. At first, it is better for the baby to sleep on the tougher side, but if he wants to feel comfort (mom's warmth), you can turn the mattress over.