You can understand how to make crib mattress softer using two techniques. While experts recommend having a firmer crib mattress to encourage a growing baby, comfort should never be overlooked. With this article, we’ll help you get the right softness for your baby.
More so, you want to ensure that the crib mattress you’re using is ideal for your baby’s needs. You can always ask your pediatrician about his/her recommendations. To start, here is everything you need to know about crib mattresses and their ideal firmness/softness.
How To Make Crib Mattress Softer The Safest Way
Accessories
Remember that babies should sleep on something firmer than a very soft crib mattress, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, your little one might have a difficult time falling asleep if the crib feels too hard. Therefore, the safest way to provide a firm bed but still soft enough for comfort is the use of accessories.
Soft sheet
Start by selecting a soft crib sheet that uses a high-quality fabric like a cotton jersey. A material that feels rough will understandably make the mattress feel harder than it should be. On the other hand, using a tight-fitting soft sheet will make the surface plusher.
Additional padding
The emphasis is necessary that the sheet you use should always fit snugly to avoid suffocation risk. Then, place a mattress pad underneath it to serve as an extra cushion to the mattress. What works well in cribs is something waterproof to protect your child from wetness.
However, please refrain from using some materials like memory foam because they retain heat. Some parents opt for a fleece blanket instead because it still makes the mattress softer. Afterward, be sure to do an indentation test on the finished crib.
Clothing and swaddling
The second technique to make the crib mattress softer is more indirect because you’re putting your baby in comfortable clothes or swaddle him/her up. By doing so, you don’t have to change the ideal mattress type, but your baby will still feel soft for sleep. Something soft and breathable would make ideal clothing for your baby, such as fleece.
If your baby is much younger, you can also swaddle him/her up. This practice does not only make the crib more comfortable, but it can also add a sense of security, especially to a newborn. You can check out swaddling blankets and then familiarize yourself with using the specific product you chose.
Why Are Crib Mattresses So Hard?
As mentioned earlier, health professionals recommend using hard mattresses for the crib so that the sleep surface is firm. As the child grows older, he/she can graduate to softer beds. But for babies and inside the crib, it should be a firm mattress combined with a fitted sheet.
This way, the surface won’t pose any risk for suffocation or getting stuck in. The mattress’s firmness should always be ideal for supporting your baby’s growing body while he/she is in the safest sleeping position, which is on the back or side. A hard crib mattress will ensure that your baby’s soft spine will develop safely.
You can always test the firmness of the mattress to ensure that it’s ideal for your baby. It should return to its form after you press the surface and not conform around your hand. You also want to check if there are no peaks on the surface and the corners don’t get easily pushed inwards as they can create gaps in the sheet.
What Can I Do To Make My Baby’s Crib More Comfortable?
Using an extra cushion and softer sheet should make the crib feel more delicate to touch without sacrificing babies’ ideal firmness. But if your baby has a hard time adjusting to the crib, you can also do other practices such as improving the room itself and creating a bedtime routine. Make sure that your little one is not hungry and feed him/her every 2 hours.
Then, stick to a bedtime schedule to help your baby get used to the crib. You can also sleep with the swaddle blanket or crib sheet so it’ll have your scent and get your baby to feel more at ease in the crib. Finally, ensure that the room is cool, quiet, and dark to soothe your little one and prevent other health risks like SIDS.
When Should I Change My Baby’s Mattress To Soften?
The best thing to do is to talk with your pediatrician for his/her recommendation on when to switch your baby’s mattress. While a baby can transition to a softer bed between 12 to 18 months, every child varies, and you should consult a health professional before making the switch. You can also get a mattress with different firmness on each side, so you can just flip to the soft one once your child is ready.
But what if the crib mattress no longer feels as hard? You might think that once the previously firm mattress has softened, it’s still okay to use. However, this means that the bed has already lost its structure, much like when our beds get saggy.
Conclusion
Your baby’s sleeping surface should be firm to support his/her growing bones. However, it would be helpful to know how to make crib mattress softer to help your baby feel more comfortable sleeping. You can simply add padding or softer sheets, but dressing your little one in comfortable clothes or a swaddling blanket can also work.