A baby mattress may seem like a simple part of a cot, but the choice of sleeping surface is particularly important for a baby. Babies spend a great deal of time asleep and cannot move themselves easily if a sleeping surface is too soft, sloped or unsuitable.
When choosing a baby mattress, it is therefore wise not to look only at the material or comfort. A suitable baby mattress is firm, flat and fits the cot properly. Only then should you consider properties such as material, ventilation, care and sustainability.
In this guide, you will learn what to look for when choosing a baby mattress, why firmness is so important and how you can include natural materials in your choice.
What should a baby mattress be like?
For babies, the properties of the sleeping surface are more important than they are for older children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a firm, flat and non-inclined sleeping surface for babies. The mattress should retain its shape and should not give way so much that a hollow forms around the baby’s head or body.
“Use a firm, flat, noninclined sleep surface.” – American Academy of Pediatrics
The Lullaby Trust, a British organisation focused on safer sleep for babies, also recommends a firm, flat mattress with waterproof protection.
This provides an important starting point: a baby mattress does not have to be as soft as possible to be comfortable. For a baby, a stable and firm sleeping surface is especially important.
Why does a baby mattress need to be firm?
A firm mattress retains its shape when a baby lies on it. With a surface that is too soft, the body or head can sink deeper into the mattress. This can create a hollow or indentation around the face.
The AAP describes a firm sleeping surface as one that retains its shape and does not indent or conform to the shape of the baby’s head. According to the guideline, soft mattresses can create an indentation in which the risk of rebreathing or suffocation may be greater.
Firm does not mean hard as a board. It means that the mattress is sufficiently stable and does not give way or sink deeply under the baby’s weight.
This is also why a mattress for a baby should not be chosen in the same way as a mattress for an adult. For adults, pressure distribution and personal comfort play a much larger role. For babies, a safe and stable sleeping surface comes first.
How do you know whether a baby mattress is firm enough?
Simply pressing your hand on a mattress does not provide a complete safety assessment. Pay particular attention to the product’s properties and intended use.
A suitable baby mattress should retain its shape and should not have clearly soft areas or hollows. The AAP explains that a firm surface does not indent or conform to the baby’s head.
Also pay attention to the fit. A good baby mattress should fit exactly in the cot or crib for which it is intended. There should be no large gaps between the mattress and the sides of the bed.
A baby mattress should be flat
In addition to firmness, the flatness of the sleeping surface is important. A baby mattress should not have raised areas, hollows or a built-in incline that positions the baby’s body in a particular way.
The AAP recommends a flat, non-inclined sleeping surface. Sleeping surfaces with an incline of more than 10 degrees are considered unsafe for babies in the guideline.
In practical terms, this means that a simple, flat mattress is usually a better choice for a baby than a product with extra contours, raised areas or positioning features.
The right size is just as important as firmness
A good baby mattress should not only be firm, but also fit the bed exactly. A gap between the mattress and the side of the cot can pose a risk if a baby gets into it.
The AAP recommends using only a mattress designed for the specific bed. The mattress should remain firm and flat when the corresponding fitted sheet is used, without gaps between the mattress and the sides of the bed.
Always check the mattress dimensions and follow the dimensions specified for the cot or crib. Use a mattress intended for that particular bed.
Is a natural baby mattress safer?
Natural materials are an important reason for many parents to consciously choose a particular baby mattress. Think, for example, of coconut fibre, natural latex, wool or cotton. However, it is important to distinguish between two things.
Natural does not automatically mean safe for babies. The first question remains whether the mattress is suitable for the baby’s age and bed, is firm and flat, and fits properly. Only then should you look at the materials and how the mattress is constructed.
For parents who also want to limit synthetic materials in the nursery as much as possible, a mattress made from natural raw materials can be an attractive choice. The material is then an addition to the safety criteria, not a replacement for them.
Why choose a coconut fibre baby mattress?
Coconut fibre is a natural fibre with a firm and resilient structure and is therefore used in various mattress constructions. For parents looking for a natural sleep product, coconut fibre can be an interesting component of a baby mattress.
The Organic Crib Mattress Coconut from NaturaBed is specifically designed for use in a cot. It fits well with the choice of natural materials in the nursery.
Here too, the order matters: first consider whether the mattress is suitable for babies, its firmness, flatness and fit, and only then assess the choice of materials.
Water resistance and hygiene for a baby mattress
A baby mattress will inevitably come into contact with moisture. A nappy leak, feeding spill or perspiration can reach the mattress if it is not properly protected.
The Lullaby Trust therefore recommends a baby mattress with a waterproof cover or waterproof protective layer.
This is an interesting consideration when choosing a natural baby mattress. A material can be natural and breathable, but for babies you also need to consider how the mattress can be kept clean and hygienic.
Always use the protection recommended for the particular mattress and cot, and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Does a baby mattress need to be breathable?
Breathability is a commonly promoted mattress feature. For adults, ventilation can make an important contribution to sleep comfort. With babies, however, be careful not to use “breathable” as a substitute for the basic rules of safer sleep.
The AAP emphasises that a firm, flat and non-inclined sleeping surface is particularly important for a baby mattress. A product strongly marketed for its air circulation is therefore not automatically a better choice if it does not meet these basic requirements.
Ventilation and material choice can therefore be relevant to the sleep climate, but they come after the fundamental safety requirements.
No topper or soft layer on top of the baby mattress
A common mistake is to make a firm baby mattress softer by adding a topper, extra mattress layer or other soft material.
The AAP recommends not using mattress toppers for babies under one year of age if they make the sleeping surface softer. Pillows, duvets, thick blankets and other soft materials should also not be placed in the sleep environment of a young baby.
“Mattress toppers, designed to make the sleep surface softer, are not appropriate for use with infants aged 0-12 months.” – American Academy of Pediatrics
A firm baby mattress should therefore be suitable on its own. Do not try to make a mattress that is too firm more comfortable by placing extra soft layers on top.
What about second-hand baby mattresses?
A second-hand baby mattress can be attractive for cost or sustainability reasons, but its condition deserves extra attention. The mattress must still be firm and flat, fit properly and be free from tears, damage or sagging.
If you are not sure how a mattress was used or stored, a new baby mattress is a simpler way to assess its condition and hygiene more reliably.
What natural materials are used in baby mattresses?
There is no single natural material that, by itself, makes the ideal baby mattress. Different materials can be used in mattresses, but the overall construction determines whether the product is suitable.
If you are specifically looking for a natural baby mattress, you can consider:
- Coconut fibre: a firm natural fibre used in mattress constructions.
- Natural latex: a resilient natural material that is mainly interesting in mattresses for older children.
- Wool: a natural material widely used in other sleep products for its moisture- and temperature-regulating properties, but it should not be used as a soft extra layer on top of a baby mattress.
- Cotton: a widely used natural fibre for covers and textiles around the mattress.
For a baby, however, the rule remains: the material must be part of a mattress construction suitable for babies. A natural fibre is not a safety certification in itself.
When should you move from a baby mattress to a children’s mattress?
There is no universal age at which every child should move from a baby mattress to a children’s mattress. The transition depends on the type of bed, the child’s development and the specifications of the mattress being used.
When a child moves to a toddler or children’s bed, the way you consider the mattress also changes. Body build, sleeping position and personal comfort become increasingly important.
For this next stage, other natural children’s mattresses are available, including natural latex mattresses. The Reversible Organic Latex Mattress for Children is interesting because it has two sides with different levels of firmness and can therefore adapt as a child’s sleeping needs change.
Checklist: how to choose a baby mattress
Would you like to quickly assess whether a baby mattress meets the most important requirements? Use this checklist:
- Is the mattress firm and does it retain its shape?
- Is the sleeping surface flat and non-inclined?
- Does the mattress fit exactly in the cot or crib?
- Is the mattress suitable for the specific bed and your baby’s age?
- Can the surface be adequately protected against moisture and kept clean easily?
- Is the mattress free from hollows, damage and soft areas?
- Is no soft topper or extra layer being used on top of the baby mattress?
- If you choose natural materials: does the complete mattress construction first meet the requirements above?
Choosing a natural baby mattress: safety first
A natural baby mattress can be a conscious choice for parents who also want to use as many natural materials as possible in the nursery. But the most important criterion is always whether it is suitable for safe sleep.
The guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Lullaby Trust agree on the main points: choose a firm, flat and well-fitting sleeping surface and keep the sleep environment free from soft or loose materials.
After that, you can look at the materials, construction, care options and how the product fits your wishes for a natural nursery.
For parents specifically looking for a natural baby mattress, the Organic Crib Mattress Coconut from NaturaBed is an option to consider. The key question is not only what the mattress is made of, but above all whether it as a whole meets the requirements you have for a baby mattress.
Ultimately, choosing a baby mattress follows a simple order: safety first, then fit, then natural materials.