Are Mattress Protectors Safe For Babies?
Welcoming a newborn baby into the world is an incredibly exciting and sometimes apprehensive time for parents.
During pregnancy, parents put a lot of thought and planning into arranging the perfect nursery, or at the least, the bassinet, cot, or crib in which the baby will sleep during it's infant years.
Selecting the right bedding for the baby is an integral element of this process and considering how messy little ones can get, a mattress protector makes a lot of sense.
If you're wondering whether a) do you need one? And b) are they safe? You've come to the right place.
Read on for all the answers!
Do I need a baby mattress protector?
We touched on a similar notion in our recent piece titled "do you need a mattress protector?"
In a very literal sense, no, you don't NEED a mattress protector and we wouldn't consider it an absolute necessity.
But, considering how many messy accidents are likely to occur in your baby's bed, a mattress protector will make cleaning it a lot easier, as well as provide some other added benefits which we'll get into in a little bit.
It's important to note here, although mattress protectors do offer a range of benefits, there are some important guidelines you should follow to keep your baby safe.
Are mattress protectors safe for newborns?
Yes, a mattress protector is safe to use on your baby's bed, as long as you follow some simple but incredibly important guidelines.
- Ensure the protector is reasonably strong and can fit tightly around the mattress
- Regularly check that the protector is not sliding during the night
- Try to keep the protector below the baby's chest and not above the shoulders
- Ensure the mattress protector doesn't compromise the firmness of the mattress in any way and remains flat at all times
As long as you follow the above, a mattress protector is perfectly safe to use.
With that, let's get into the benefits of a mattress protector!
What do mattress protectors do for a babies bed?
Babies spend the majority of their time sleeping, especially a newborn baby, if you're lucky!
As such, you want the bedding environment as perfect as possible. There's a range of benefits to be realised from leveraging a mattress protector for babies' beds.
The mattress remains clean
Having just entered the world, babies are very prone to mishaps and messy incidents and regardless of how well you secure the nappy it won't always save you.
When such an incident occurs you don't want those bodily fluids seeping into the mattress as over time, the mattress will stain and develop a terrible odour.
A mattress protector does exactly what it's name suggests, keeping those fluids above the sleeping surface and your baby's head free from smelly odours.
Cleaning is considerably easier
As you may have guessed, with your mattress remaining fluid free there's less cleaning for you to do on a regular basis.
Most mattress protectors are machine washable so after any mishap simply wash the mattress protector as you would the other bed linen and whullah!
No need to spot wash the mattress and get into the nitty gritty with baking soda and a brush. Instead, the crib can be ready again in a much shorter timeframe.
Helps with allergy prevention and the build-up of bacteria
If you weren't aware, mattresses can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens.
Reason being, humans excrete body moisture throughout the night as well as shed A LOT of dead skin cells, and you know which pesky critters love dead skin cells? Dust mites and bed bugs!
Dust mites live anywhere they can feed on dead skin cells and are known to exacerbate allergies, causing babies to sneeze, develop runny noses and in some cases, suffer from a shortness of breath.
A mattress protector, however, eliminates excessive build-up of dust mites keeping your baby's sleep environment clean and healthy.
Helps with mattress longevity and warranty protection
Although a baby may only sleep in a crib for a couple of years, you still want to protect the crib mattress's longevity in case you need it in the future.
A mattress protector ensures it remains in optimal condition for longer, free from stains and unpleasant odours.
Additionally, you might be surprised to know a stain will void the mattress's warranty, so that little protector which will help with cleanliness, allergies, simpler cleaning and a healthy sleeping environment, will also contribute to a fatter wallet!
Summary
If you're looking for something to protect your baby's mattress that can also alleviate allergies and extend the lifespan of the mattress, then look no further than a mattress protector.
Just remember the important guidelines outlined in this journal and you won't have any worries about your baby's safety.
Finally, why should your baby be the only one to enjoy the benefits of a mattress protector?!
Our waterproof bamboo mattress protector offers the same benefits with exceptional breathability and hypoallergenic qualities.
And at the end of the day, what is a mattress protector without a bed to protect?
Safe sleeping!
Sources
- https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/skin.html
- https://rednose.org.au/question/hi-i-was-wondering-whether-it-is-safe-to-use-a-waterproof-mattress-protector-over-the-whole-mat