June 23, 2022, 10:29 am | Read time: 3 minutes
A children’s mattress should primarily be one thing: not dangerous for children. However, in an “Ökotest” examination, some mattresses failed in terms of safety. What’s going on?
Not all children’s mattresses are convincing in terms of safety. This is shown by a study from the magazine “Ökotest” (issue 7/2022). Six of the 15 tested mattresses received a “poor” rating.
Overview
Baby and Children’s Mattresses in “Ökotest” – the Best
The test winner is the model “Antonia” by Paradies, which the Ökotest evaluators rated as “very good.”
The following models received a “good” rating:
- “Jonas” by Jysk
- “Mini” by Ravensberger Matratzen
- “Comfort Milchstraße” by Träumeland
The Zipper is a Hazard
A major safety issue with some mattresses according to “Ökotest”: small parts that can come loose and pose a choking hazard. In the test, the zipper pulls broke off in four models. Testers also noted four times that the mattress filling was too easily accessible to children.
What parents can look for when buying: Some manufacturers secure the zipper so that it can only be opened with a paperclip or a special tool.
Also interesting: Ruthless marketing – misleading information is often given about baby food
https://oembed/fitbook/affiliate/b129dd786ab71eafa10a6277f8d0caa682f554d26599237eff89a8d06032abaf/900b495e-d27d-429e-892a-029abf95d223/embed
The Best Children’s Shampoos According to “Ökotest”
Children’s Toothpaste at Stiftung Warentest – Here Are the Test Winners
Suffocation Risk with Too-Soft Mattresses
Regarding mattress firmness, most models performed well. However, testers criticized three mattresses for being too soft. This can become a problem if babies sink into them with their mouth and nose and can’t breathe.
Why do some mattresses have such significant safety deficiencies? There is a standard for children’s mattresses that specifies what makes a model safe. However, manufacturers are not legally required to adhere to these guidelines. At least: According to “Ökotest,” some manufacturers have already announced improvements.
Also interesting: Neurodermatitis lotions for babies and children – the test winners at “Ökotest”
Good Ratings Regarding Ingredients
At least: Regarding ingredients, 13 of the 15 mattresses were rated “good” or “very good.” However, five models contained soluble antimony. The toxic metalloid was only detected in small amounts by “Ökotest,” so the point deduction was minor.
What parents should consider when buying
For purchasing baby and children’s mattresses, “Ökotest” has summarized the following tips:
- If you own a deficient mattress (you can read the exact results on oekotest.de), you should try to return it citing the test report
- A child sinks more easily into a soft mattress, which poses a suffocation risk in the prone position. Therefore, opt for a firmer model.
- Before use, air out the mattress for a few days and remove all stickers and strings
- There should be no more than two fingers’ width, about three centimeters, between the mattress and the bed frame to prevent the little ones from getting trapped.
With material from dpa