The choice of a mattress for infants is often underestimated. People compare the colors of the crib, hesitate over the bumper, and end up ordering the mattress last, sometimes relying solely on price or brand. This is a mistake: it is here that safety criteria are the strictest, most precise, and most non-negotiable. This guide details what regulations require, what certifications actually guarantee, and what to check before finalizing a purchase.

The Crib: NF EN 716 Standard as a Mandatory Basis

Before even talking about the mattress, the crib itself must meet strict safety requirements. The NF EN 716 standard governs the safety of all cribs sold in France. It is divided into two complementary parts: NF EN 716-1 (safety requirements) and NF EN 716-2 (testing methods), which specify the minimum and maximum dimensions as well as criteria related to design and use.

Concrete points to check on the crib: the spacing of the bars must be between 4.5 and 6.5 cm, the height of the sides must reach at least 60 cm, and the mattress base must be adjustable in height. This last feature is important: it allows the sleeping surface to be lowered as the baby grows and begins to stand up, reducing the risk of falling over the bars.

The height of the bars on the lowest side must also be at least 20 cm above the mattress level to prevent the baby from tipping out of the crib. A CE marking is mandatory. A second-hand crib that does not bear this marking or has damaged bars should be discarded without hesitation.

Regarding the materials of the crib itself, paints and varnishes must comply with European chemical safety standards, free from lead and phthalates. Also check for the absence of sharp edges, exposed screws, or decorative elements that could injure or strangle the baby.

Mattress Dimensions: Fitting the Crib is Not Optional

The golden rule regarding dimensions is simple: the mattress must exactly match the interior dimensions of the crib. There must not be a gap greater than 2 cm between the mattress and the crib walls. A larger space poses a real danger, as the baby’s head or limb could get stuck.

The standard sizes for cribs in France are 60 × 120 cm (infant size) and 70 × 140 cm (convertible size). Therefore, it is essential to measure the exact interior dimensions of the crib before purchasing a mattress, even if the crib is sold as “standard.” Low-cost manufacturers or cribs imported from outside the European Union may have slightly different dimensions.

View on Amazon

Firmness: A Safety Requirement, Not Comfort

This may be the most counterintuitive criterion for parents who naturally associate softness with well-being. For an infant, it is the opposite: the mattress must be firm to prevent excessive sinking of the baby, and a flat, stable surface is essential. A mattress that is too soft creates a risk of positional asphyxia if the baby ends up face down on the surface.

Low-density mattresses or those made from overly elastic materials are not suitable for infants, as they encourage entrapment. Memory foam should be absolutely avoided for this age group: this material, designed to conform to the body’s curves, is precisely what should be avoided in a baby who cannot reposition themselves.

To concretely assess the firmness of a mattress in-store or upon delivery: if the fist sinks more than 2 to 3 cm, it is too soft. In terms of density, the recommended values are around 20 to 22 kg/m³ for HR foam, or 55 to 65 kg/m³ for a latex mattress.

In terms of budget, baby mattresses 60 × 120 cm start at around €70 for entry-level foam, and between €110 and €250 for natural latex or coconut fiber models, which are often more breathable and durable.

Thickness: Not Too Thin, Not Too Thick

The ideal thickness is generally between 10 and 12 cm. A mattress that is too thin does not provide enough support, while a mattress that is too thick increases the risk of sinking. This range is not trivial from a safety perspective: a thicker mattress mechanically brings the baby closer to the top edge of the bars, which reduces the effective height of protection once the child begins to stand up.

It is therefore essential to systematically check the residual height between the mattress surface and the top of the bars for each position of the adjustable base, taking into account the thickness of the chosen mattress.

Ventilation and Hygiene: Indissociable Criteria

The materials must be breathable, hypoallergenic, and washable. Ventilation plays an indirect role in preventing sleep-related risks: a mattress that accumulates heat and moisture promotes the proliferation of bacteria and dust mites and can contribute to an increase in the temperature of the sleeping surface.

Natural latex mattresses have good breathability properties due to their aerated structure, provided they are perforated. HR foam mattresses with technical covers also offer good performance if the cover is removable and washable. Choose a mattress that is removable and washable at 60 °C: this is the minimum temperature to effectively neutralize bacteria and dust mites, especially in case of regurgitations or diaper leaks.

Search for 60x120 latex baby mattresses on Amazon.fr

Certifications: What They Really Guarantee

Certifications are the main tool available to parents to assess the chemical composition of a baby mattress without having to analyze the technical sheet themselves. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification is the minimum recommended; for mattresses claiming an organic positioning, the GOTS certification is preferable.

The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 guarantees that every component of the finished product has been tested for the absence of harmful substances: dyes, heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticides, among others. Class 1 of this label, the strictest, is specifically intended for products in contact with infants and young children. This is the class to look for on the label, not just the mention “Oeko-Tex.”

The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is aimed at mattresses whose covers and textile fillings come from organic farming. It does not replace Oeko-Tex but complements it in terms of the environmental and social aspects of the production chain.

Other certifications may appear on product sheets: the NF Environment label, the CertiPUR certification for foams, or the European Ecolabel. These labels provide additional guarantees but do not all have the same significance regarding safety for infants. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 class 1 remains the most readable reference.

Find an Oeko-Tex certified baby mattress on Amazon.fr

What to Never Do

Certain practices should be strictly avoided, regardless of the situation.

Use a second-hand mattress. A second-hand mattress should never be used for an infant. Beyond wear that may have altered firmness and breathability, a mattress that has belonged to another child may contain microorganisms that are difficult to eliminate through ordinary washing and may not necessarily match the exact dimensions of the crib.

Use an adult mattress. Its firmness is designed for an adult weight, its thickness far exceeds the recommended 12 cm, and it never matches the dimensions of a crib. This is not an acceptable stopgap solution, even for a few nights.

Add a mattress topper or a thick mattress protector. Any accessory that creates an additional soft surface between the baby and their mattress negates the firmness properties of the underlying mattress.

Fill the crib with unnecessary accessories. Cushions, padded bumpers, large stuffed animals in the sleeping crib can obstruct the infant’s breathing, regardless of the quality of the mattress.

To go further in choosing a mattress suitable for each age and body type, our complete buying guide covers all the criteria to consider based on the sleeper’s profile.

The Checklist Before Purchase

Before finalizing a baby mattress, check point by point:

  • Does the crib bear the CE marking and comply with the NF EN 716 standard?
  • Do the mattress dimensions match the exact interior dimensions of the crib, with no gap greater than 2 cm?
  • Is the thickness between 10 and 12 cm?
  • Is the mattress firm (HR density 20-22 kg/m³ or latex 55-65 kg/m³)?
  • Is the cover removable and washable at 60 °C?
  • Does the mattress have at least the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 class 1 certification?
  • Is it a new product?

These criteria are not about comfort or preference: they constitute the minimum foundation for a safe sleeping environment from the very first days of life.

Is the baby mattress subject to different standards than an adult mattress?

Yes, and the difference is significant. An adult mattress is subject to comfort standards and durability tests, but there is no regulatory criterion imposing a minimum firmness for this market. For infants, firmness is not a comfort criterion but a safety imperative related to the prevention of risks during sleep. Baby mattresses must also meet strict dimensional compatibility requirements with the crib (NF EN 716 standard), which has no equivalent for adult mattresses. Chemically, the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 class 1 certification, the most demanding, is specifically designed for products intended for infants, with thresholds for harmful substances significantly lower than for other classes.

Why is a memory foam baby mattress not recommended?

Memory foam is a viscoelastic material designed to adapt to the sleeper’s morphology under the effect of heat and weight. This property, highly appreciated for adults, becomes dangerous for an infant: if the baby ends up face down on the mattress, which happens as soon as they start to turn over without yet mastering the reverse movement, the foam conforms to the shape of their face rather than providing a resistant surface to push against. The risk of airway obstruction is therefore real. A baby mattress should instead present uniform firmness that always maintains a flat and stable surface, regardless of the position in which the child finds themselves. This rule applies throughout the period when the baby sleeps in their crib.

What is the difference between Oeko-Tex Standard 100 class 1 and class 2?

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 includes four classes of products, of which the first two directly concern bedding. Class 1 applies to products intended for infants and children up to 3 years old; it imposes the strictest thresholds for potentially harmful substances (pH, dyes, heavy metals, pesticides, formaldehyde, etc.). Class 2 applies to items in contact with the skin of adults and children over 3 years old, with slightly relaxed thresholds. For a baby mattress, only class 1 offers guarantees suitable for the physiological vulnerability of infants. In practice, this information appears on the certified label: it is therefore necessary to check not only for the presence of the Oeko-Tex label but also for the mention “Baby product” or “Class 1.”

Can we use the mattress of an older sibling for the newborn?

No. A second-hand mattress, even from the same family, should not be reused for an infant. Over time and with use, a mattress loses some of its initial firmness, which may not be visible to the naked eye but manifests as slight sagging of the surface. Furthermore, a used mattress has absorbed sweat, regurgitations, and potentially microorganisms that resist regular washing. Finally, if the newborn has a crib with slightly different dimensions than that of the older sibling, the second-hand mattress may not fit properly, creating a dangerous gap between the mattress and the walls.

At what age can we switch to a softer mattress?

There is no specific age set by a standard for this transition. In practice, the maximum firmness constraint applies as long as the child sleeps in their crib, generally until 2-3 years old according to families. When the child moves to a “child’s” bed and is capable of turning over and repositioning themselves independently, safety criteria evolve and become closer to those of a lightweight adult sleeper. However, it is still advisable not to introduce memory foam until the child is sufficiently large and autonomous in their nighttime movements, which generally corresponds to school age.

Is a second-hand crib acceptable if the bars seem intact?

Caution is warranted. A second-hand crib may appear to be in perfect visual condition while having invisible defects: micro-cracks in the wooden bars, play in the joints, or a defective lowering mechanism. Most importantly, if the crib was manufactured before the widespread adoption of the NF EN 716 standard, it may not meet current requirements regarding bar spacing, side height, or mechanical resistance. It is therefore essential to check for the presence of the CE marking and an indication of compliance with the NF EN 716 standard on the crib itself or its original documentation. In the absence of these elements, it is better to invest in a new certified crib.