subject: What Safety Standards Are Followed for Infant Mattress? [print this page] What Safety Standards Are Followed for Infant Mattress?
Co-sleeping has long been encouraged due to health and safety issues raised due to bed sharing. Baby cribs are among the most popular products that are used to practice co-sleeping. An important requirement of a crib is the crib mattress which is also referred to as infant mattress. A number of safety standards are followed to ensure that the infant mattresses are safe for the babies in all respects. If you are planning a crib for your baby, a part of the process is to learn about the infant mattress safety standards.
Firm Infant Mattress
One of the most common infant mattress safety standards is that these mattresses should be firm to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The Consumer Product Safety Commission instructs that the infant mattresses should not be soft as they may lead to baby death due to suffocation. You must test the mattress by pressing it with your hands or some weight. A firm mattress that bounces back should be your choice.
Fit Infant Mattress
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also guides on the standard size that an infant mattress should have to fit inside a standard size crib. You must confirm that the mattress you purchase measures 27 and 1/4 inches in breadth and 51 and 5/8 inches in length. Besides, it should not be above 6 inches in terms of thickness. In case the crib doesn't have standard measurements, you must measure the crib dimensions and purchase the mattress accordingly.
A finger test must be performed to ensure that no more than 2 fingers are accommodated between the mattress and the crib. If there is wider gap left, it may prove fatal for the little one as he may trap his head into it.
Fire Safety Standards
Another important crib mattress standard is that it should be tested against fire accidents that may arise when an open flame is brought in contact with the mattress. The manufacturers are required to chemically treat the infant mattresses and coat them with chemicals that discourage breaking out of fire. Make sure that you purchase mattresses that meet this safety standard.
The safety standards also require the manufacturer to label the materials that has been used in making the mattress. You must show concern as a parent and always prefer new infant mattress over a used one.
