Can a Mattress Affect Baby Sleep? (Unavoidable Facts!)

Contributor
9 Min Read

A mattress may seem minor, but it can impact your child’s sleep. Some factors that can disturb your child’s sleep quality are the firmness, thickness, type, and size of your selected mattresses.

Unavoidable Facts About Baby Sleep: Can A Mattress Affect Baby Sleep?

A mattress may seem minor, but it can impact your child’s sleep. If your little one is having difficulties getting to sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or experiencing other such problems, then maybe it is time to pay attention to the baby’s bed.

Picking a comfortable mattress for your baby is not something you should do lightly. There are many factors to consider, and you should carefully research a mattress purchase before making a final decision.

When it comes to your baby, you want to make sure that you do everything in your power to help them sleep comfortably and soundly – so you get good sleep too!

Mattress Firmness Effects On Baby Sleep

According to studies, the firmness of a mattress makes a significant difference in how long a baby sleeps.

A recent study found that babies who slept on very firm mattresses were twice as likely to have colic as those who slept on softer mattresses. This is because infants spend most of their time sleeping during the first six months; if they’re uncomfortable, it’s harder for them to rest and relax.

The other issue is that infants can’t control the position they sleep in; they’re usually on their backs, which means they’re more likely to wake up if their head rolls into an awkward position because it’s resting on a firm surface.

A medium-firm mattress will keep your baby comfortable while maintaining good spinal alignment, which means less discomfort and better sleep.

Mattress Softness Effects On Baby Sleep

Babies are very sensitive to the environment, especially their sleep. If they don’t have a good sleep, it will harm their development and health. And soft mattresses can help babies to have a better sleep.

But just how soft is it suitable for babies? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on firm mattresses without extra blankets or pillows.

According to them, a baby should always be placed on his back in a crib that has been safety-tested and has a firm mattress (not more than 2-3 inches thick). 

Effects Of Mattress Types On Baby Sleep

Choosing a mattress that best suits the baby’s needs is essential because it will affect their spine and muscle development. We will focus on two popular types of mattresses suitable for babies: memory foam mattresses and latex foam mattresses.

According to research, each type of mattress has its own positive and negative effects on newborns.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam is a popular choice for many new parents. It’s very comfortable for babies and for adults, too. The biggest benefit associated with memory foam mattresses is that they provide better sleep for newborns. It contours to the body for optimal comfort, allowing for better sleep quality.

Memory foam mattresses are also safer than other types of bedding because there is less risk of suffocation.

However, they retain heat and may not be good for acid reflux or colic babies. Babies can also sweat while sleeping on them in warm rooms or climates.

Memory foam is also not good if you plan on having more children in your future because it can’t be sterilized like a spring mattress can be cleaned with bleach or an anti-fungal spray.

Latex Foam Mattress

Latex mattresses have many positive effects on baby sleep, especially if the mattress is organic before use.

The mattress assists in reducing the pain of babies when they fall. The soft and smooth feel of the latex makes babies feel comfortable all day long and get a night of better and more peaceful sleep.

The latex mattress also ensures that babies. A latex foam mattress for your baby is an essential investment for you as a parent since it helps provide comfort, peace, and stress relief to your baby all through the night.

Babies can be given mattresses with organic cotton covers, which ensure that your baby does not suffer from allergies caused by synthetic material.

Latex is noiseless, which might lead to increased comfort for the baby. Moreover, they are hypoallergenic and therefore safer for the baby’s developing immune system;

Latex does not hold moisture and therefore does not allow bacteria growth, making it more hygienic than regular mattresses and less likely to develop odors.

There are also some negative effects of latex mattresses on baby sleep. Latex is not safe for very young babies. This is because the high-temperature level from the natural material can cause scalding of babies’ skin if they happen to be very young.

Another effect is that the heat may come out, causing skin irritation. For this reason, parents are advised to give their children latex mattresses with organic cotton coverings to avoid skin complications that may arise due to scalding or irritation. Also, these mattresses may not last long.

Size of Mattress

The size of a baby’s mattress matters: it can affect sleep, comfort, and safety. An infant mattress should be 28 inches by 52 inches. This is the standard size of a crib mattress and will fit in a standard-sized crib.

Dr. Karp, a well-known American pediatrician, firmly believes that more space for babies makes for better sleep.

He recommends choosing a bassinet or crib with extra space at both ends of the mattress because this allows your baby to move around and creates an environment that mimics the womb (which is where they spend most of their time while in utero).

A newborn should be able to lie flat on their back and, at the same time, have enough room to move their arms and legs freely. The mattress should be snug enough that there is no danger of your baby falling off the side but not so tight that it cannot roll over easily.

Conclusion

By reading this article, the parents may get some useful information about how to choose the right mattress for their baby and also get to know why a mattress can affect a baby’s sleep.

In addition, not only does it play a role in how well your baby sleeps, but it also dictates how healthily they sleep. We have also added some tips on how to ensure the best sleep environment and help provide proper support to the baby while sleeping.

Share this Article