Why Are Bassinet Mattresses So Thin And Hard

Whenever I imagined my baby’s bed as a first-time mother, I imagined all things soft and fuzzy. I dreamt of the cute soft toys and furry blankets and making my baby’s bassinet just like the Instagram pictures. 

But to my surprise, when I went shopping for my baby, I found nothing but bassinets with thin and firm mattresses. It made me wonder, “Why are bassinet mattresses so thin and hard?” 

After asking my doctor about it, I learned, this was the only safe sleeping arrangement I could make for my baby.]

To clear my confusion, I looked into the matter even further. I will share my research and real-life observation with you.

Importance of Safe Sleep for Infants

Undisrupted, safe, and peaceful sleep is crucial for a baby’s overall well-being. Infants undergo massive physical, cognitive, and emotional developmental milestones during the first few months of their lives. And sleep is what makes it all possible. 

I have always emphasized making sure that my children sleep well. Whether they are taking a nap during the day or sleeping long hours at night, sleep plays a vital role in their overall growth. 

Physical Development 

Not just for children, a good night’s sleep is important for humans of all ages. Our body produces hormones during sleep which is essential for the human body to be able to function properly. 

This is especially relevant for developing children. Essential growth hormones are secreted during sleep which helps infants in their muscle development, tissue repair, and overall physical development. 

This is one of the reasons why newborns and infants spent most of their day sleeping. Hence providing your baby with a safe place for sleeping is essential. 

Cognitive Development 

Children see and learn from their environment. They process all the information during sleep which they experienced throughout the day.

This process polishes their memory and adds new information to them. Sleep increases attentiveness, which aids in improving their problem-solving skills.

This helps them become more independent and confident as an individual. Sound sleep also helps in language acquisition. This is why young children can learn new languages easily. 

Emotional Regulation

Have you ever noticed whenever babies create a fuss over small things or are irritable, it is instantly linked with sleepiness?

My babies throw a huge tantrum if they are not able to sleep in their nap time. This is because sleep helps to regulate emotion and behavior. A well-rested baby is noticeably calmer, playful, and happier compared to ones who are tired. 

Overall Wellbeing 

Apart from all these, sleep helps make your baby’s immune system stronger. Their body can fight off infections and diseases and they are less likely to get affected by viruses.

Getting sound sleep regularly will ensure enough oxygen supply to their organs keeping them in good health. 

A safe sleep environment also reduces the chances of SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome affects children less than one year of age. This can be prevented by using a thin, hard, and well-fitted mattress in their bassinet. 

A good quality bassinet along with an appropriate mattress will help your baby to establish a healthy sleep routine. This will also help in the long-term future. Waking up and sleeping at the same time every day will help maintain consistent sleep. 

Importance of Thin and Hard Bassinet Mattresses

There are various types and sizes of bassinets. Choose a bassinet that best fits your needs. However, all of these have one thing in common: a thin and firm mattress.

When I stumbled upon the topic, at first I thought why would babies sleep on a hard surface? Wouldn’t it hurt their delicate bones? The fact was in fact the opposite, here are the details.

Support

The bassinet mattress plays a vital role in a baby’s safe sleeping and supporting the baby’s delicate bones. The firmness of the mattress provides optimal support to the baby’s back ensuring a safe and comfortable posture.

This helps to develop and strengthen your baby’s bones and muscles. A soft mattress can cause your baby’s backbone to get curved or cause posture-related issues in the future. 

Air Circulation

Thick, fluffy, or heavy mattresses will sink most of the baby’s body when they sleep. This can disrupt the natural air circulation and cause suffocation.

Thin mattresses, on the other hand, keep your baby safely on the surface and keep their face open for better breathability. 

Moisture Absorption 

Hard and thin mattresses allow air to directly reach your baby’s body without any disturbance. With increased airflow, your baby will not be overheated. 

Even if your baby sweats in the bassinet, thin mattresses will absorb the moisture and dry quickly without creating a moist and damp environment. 

Bassinet sheets are also important for better moisture absorption and comfortable sleeping. Go for soft, cotton, well-fitted bassinet sheets to go with the mattress. 

Maintaining the Bassinet Mattress

In addition to keeping the bassinet comfortable, maintaining it regularly is also important. Make sure you are not exceeding your bassinet’s weight limit and regularly inspect it for any malfunctions. 

There are other types of bassinets, like vibrating bassinets, which are not recommended to use for prolonged hours even with the appropriate type of mattress. Here are some more tips to help maintain your baby’s bassinet. 

Keep the Bassinet Mattress Cozy

Winters get freezing here in New York. Sometimes the thin mattress and regular cotton sheets aren’t enough to keep the bassinet warm. If you are facing the same issue, instead of using woolen sheets or heavy blankets, use a swaddle to wrap your baby for maximum warmth and comfort. 

Here is an article to help- 11 Efficient Ways To Keep Bassinet Warm. 

Cleaning the Bassinet Mattress

Apart from changing the bassinet sheets, you need to deep clean the bassinet once in a while. Use a mattress protector to keep it away from dirt and debris. If it gets any dirt on it, wipe the mattress with a damp cloth and allow it to dry completely before reassembling it. 

Choose the Right Bassinet Mattress

With so many options and variety, choosing the best bassinet mattress for your baby can be intimidating. When choosing the right mattress for my baby, I have always put my trust in brands. 

Check if it meets the safety standards of institutions such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or ASTM International. Also if your mattress is safety certified, e.g.,  GREENGUARD Gold or CertiPUR-US, you can go for it without worry. 

Always make sure you are following the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions while assembling the bassinet along with the mattress. Choose the mattress that perfectly fits your bassinet model. 

No matter how good or expensive your bassinet mattress is, if it does not fit the bassinet frame perfectly (not too big, nor too small) it won’t be of any good. 

Conclusion 

Understanding the science behind baby accessories helps us choose the right things for our little ones. If you are someone like me and want to get those cloudy cushions for your baby bassinet, it is time for you to let them go. 

Opt for thin, hard, fitted mattresses that go with your bassinet frame. Choose the appropriate bassinet sheets and protectors to go with it. 

Help your baby to get as much restorative sleep as they need. With the right sleeping arrangements, they will sleep tight all night and wake up in the morning smiling brightly. 

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