How to choose safe bedding for your baby
You want to set up the safest sleep space for your baby but most of the standard brochures simply cover positioning and temperature considerations (as per the Red Nose guidelines) with no information on how to choose safe bedding for your baby.
Here are some factors you may not be aware of when it comes to choosing a mattress for your baby (Courtesy of Numu-roo breathable baby mattresses).
Choosing safe bedding for your baby
Foam mattresses can trap dust and dirt.
While many foam mattresses are designed to be breathable, allowing more air to pass through their volume, they can trap dust and dirt, making them unsuitable to pass on from child to child. There have been concerns amongst some researchers about a possible association between SIDS and sleeping on used mattresses due to the build-up of potential allergens (including chemicals and dust).
If you decide to purchase a foam mattress then the safest option is to restrict use to one child unless it remains very clean and free from water damage.
Many mattresses contain flame-retardants.
Mattresses that have a thick volume are required to contain flame retardant chemicals for fire safety. Foam and synthetic latex options are best avoided if you’re looking for a mattress that doesn’t contain flame retardants, glues and polyurethane. Rather, look for organic wool, natural latex or organic cotton (although dust mites love cotton) or for a non-bulky, mesh-style mattress.
Be aware of firmness and edge support.
Foam mattresses tend to be the softest with little edge support. This lack of edge support can be a problem if the mattress is too small for the cot or bassinet as it can suck the baby into the gap and pose an entrapment risk, possibly leading to SIDS. In toddlers, the lack of support may aid them in falling off the bed.
Soft bedding has also been identified as a risk factor for SIDS because if baby rolls they may end up in a position where they do not have a clear airway or are rebreathing high levels of carbon dioxide.
Numu-Roo: A Breathable Net/Mesh Mattress
A mattress with a net/mesh design, such as the Numu-Roo, is as air-permeable as a mattress can get.
Reduced allergens and easy to clean
Studies have found a correlation between dust mite exposure and the development and exacerbation of asthma, with significant levels of dust mites found in infant beds. As the Numu-Roo has no bulky layers to serve as a breeding ground for dust mites, exposure is minimal and as such Numu-Roo has been recognised as a Sensitive Choice Partner with the National Asthma Council of Australia.
Unlike other mattresses, the Numu-Roo is also easy to clean, simply hose it down should any accidents occur.
No flame retardants, glues or foam
The thin yet comfortable design of the Numu-Roo means that no flame retardants, glues or foam are necessary, and there is no build-up of allergens that you find with bulky mattresses.
This means that the Numu-Roo can be passed on to younger siblings, unlike a standard foam mattress.
Breathable and firm
As mentioned earlier, soft bedding is considered a risk factor for SIDS. The Numu-Roo meets the voluntary Australian standard for sleeping surface firmness [AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 Methods of testing infant products – Sleep surfaces—Test for firmness].
And in the event that an infant rolls onto their tummy during sleep, this breathable design not only assists carbon dioxide to dissipate, it also prevents overheating, as heat can escape faster.
Overheating has been identified as a possible risk factor for SIDS, so we want to ensure that we do our best to prevent it from occurring while our little ones are sleeping.
To find out more about the Numu-Roo head to their website. Use the code “freecottonsheet” at check out to get a free cotton sheet with your mattress purchase.
Please be aware that this post contains affiliate links whereby if you make a purchase I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Only products that align with the philosophy of Wholehearted Family Health are promoted.
