As parents, we’re obsessed with getting our little ones to sleep comfortably through the night. But have you given a thought to the mattress your little one will sleep on? You can’t select a kiddie mattress in the same way that you pick a regular one, so read on.

1. It should be easy to clean

When you bring a baby home, you also bring home regular bouts of spilling, vomiting, crying and soiling, so make sure your mattress has an easily removable cover. You could also pick a non-absorbent or liquid-repellent option.

2. Get the right sized mattress

The mattress you pick for your child’s crib or toddler bed should perfectly sit in the frame. If it’s too big, bits of the mattress could fold over and hurt your child. If it’s too small, there could be gaps in which your baby could accidently wedge its hands or feet. Make sure the mattress is the right height as well, so that your baby has room to wave its arms and legs.

3. Make sure it’s firm and flat

Babies and toddlers need support for their growing bones, so do not lay them down on ultrasoft mattresses. How should you check for the right firmness? Just press down on the centre of the mattress and if it takes the shape of your hand, it’s too soft. Ideally, it should spring back immediately.

4. A few additional things to remember  

-   Make sure there are no harmful chemicals

-   Avoid spring mattresses as kids need strong support

-   Avoid woollen mattresses as this could trigger allergies

-   Change the mattress if your child is uncomfortable

Happy snoozing!