Finding a cool sleeping mat for your baby can be a headache, as even a quick search reveals countless options. So, let Ru9 start with the most common types of mats for summer!
Until they are two years old, infants spend up to 50% of their lives on their mattress or mat. For this reason, parents must ensure the mattress or mat is safe and breathable to support the child's development. In the hot summer, you should let your child lie on a mat instead of a mattress to avoid sweating, prickly heat, and itching. Using a cool sleeping mat for your baby will provide a more airy and comfortable feeling. As for which type is best, in this article, Ru9 will provide detailed pros and cons of each type to help you make an informed decision!
1. Sedge Mat
Sedge mats are considered one of the most traditional and popular types of mats in Vietnam. They are woven from sedge grass, which is not only environmentally friendly but also harmless to health. You can let your baby lie on these sedge mats all day. The reason is that they help lower the temperature in summer and are very easy to clean.
Sedge mats are made from sedge grass and have cooling and absorbent properties.
Advantages of sedge mats
Maintains a cool surface
The natural sedge fiber is fine and belongs to the grass family. Its internal structure consists of many smaller, soft, sponge-like fibers with a certain elasticity. When woven into a cool sleeping mat for babies, the sedge surface has the ability to absorb moisture and is breathable.
Therefore, using a sedge mat helps absorb sweat and keeps it dry and airy, while still having a certain softness, making it completely safe for young children's health, especially in hot weather.
Extremely affordable price
Sedge mats are considered a "national" cool sleeping mat for both adults and children. Due to their popularity, the price of handmade sedge mats ranges from 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND per mat. For high-quality sedge mats woven by machine to increase durability and sturdiness, the price is only from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND.
Convenient
Sedge mats can be washed and scrubbed with diluted soapy water, then dried quickly and easily. Sedge mats are lightweight, weighing only 1kg to 3kg, and are pliable, easy to fold, roll, and bend, making them extremely convenient to move or store when not in use.
Disadvantages of sedge mats
Prone to mold
As mentioned above, sedge mats have good moisture absorption properties, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. When the temperature is cold and the weather is humid, the sedge material will absorb moisture and easily develop mold. If not completely dried after washing, the mat will become moldy, harming the user's health.
Sedge mats used in humid temperatures are prone to mold if not thoroughly washed and dried.
Negative impact from bleaching and dyeing agents
Although completely natural in origin, during the production process, sedge mats must undergo a bleaching process with chemicals, as well as fiber dyeing. The easily noticeable evidence is that within about 1 week of purchase, sedge mats often have an odor; it only takes thorough washing and drying for the smell to disappear quickly.
Short lifespan
To weave sedge mats, artisans use jute ropes to connect the sedge fibers. Therefore, if subjected to strong forces such as stretching, this type of mat can easily come undone and become loose, losing its integrity.
2. Silk Mat
As the name suggests, silk mats are made from silk material, which is soft and non-irritating, even for a newborn's delicate skin. The surface texture of a silk cool sleeping mat for babies includes breathable air holes, preventing a stuffy feeling during the baby's sleep.
Advantages of silk mats
Comfortable and soft feel when lying down
When made from fibers, air-conditioned silk mats feel very smooth and cool to the touch, similar to the feel of pure cotton fabric, unlike common chemical fiber products. 3D silk mats have a beautiful and luxurious printed silk surface but are less breathable and can feel a bit stuffy.
Safe for skin
Overall, air-conditioned silk mats are skin-friendly and safe, not causing irritation issues even for the most sensitive skin. In addition, the production technology for silk mats removes excess fibers and fabric dust, so it does not cause discomfort or itching, making it safe for babies to use.
3D silk mats are currently a very popular type of mat for babies due to their diverse designs and sizes.
Disadvantages of silk mats
Only effective when used with air conditioning
Air-conditioned silk mats are only effective when used in an air-conditioned room. The cool air and chill will be retained on the mat's surface for a long time, providing an immediate cooling sensation.
High price
Compared to sedge mats, the price of a cool sleeping mat for babies made of air-conditioned silk is slightly higher, ranging from 500,000 to nearly 2 million VND.
3. Rubber Mat
Most rubber mats have a 3-layer temperature-regulating structure: the middle layer is rubber latex, the top layer is covered with breathable Tencel fabric, and the bottom layer is waterproof fabric. Natural rubber mats are generally preferred over synthetic rubber, especially for use with young children. This is due to their environmental friendliness, durability, and the health benefits that natural rubber provides.
Advantages of rubber mats
Antibacterial for babies
If not cleaned continuously, microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses can easily accumulate on the surface of rubber mats. This can lead to bedroom allergies and an unsafe sleeping environment, especially for babies with weak immune systems. However, rubber has natural antibacterial properties, repelling harmful microorganisms, making rubber mats an excellent choice for babies.
Good air circulation
Natural rubber air-conditioned mats have an open-cell structure to allow continuous airflow. In addition, rubber mats are also known for their long-lasting comfort.
Disadvantages of rubber mats
Many rubber mats have an unpleasant latex odor, which can negatively affect young children's health. In addition, cheap mats can have a counter-cooling effect when lying on them for a long time, because the waterproof surface and the rubber layer underneath prevent air circulation.
4. Rattan Mat
Unlike hollow bamboo, rattan mats are made from the solid stem of the rattan plant, which is durable, flexible, and lightweight. When woven into a mat, their surface is relatively shiny, extremely tough, and resistant to mold. This type of cool sleeping mat for babies is very suitable because it is breathable and easy to clean.
Rattan mats are cooling and convenient for cleaning or folding and storing.
Advantages of rattan mats
By nature, natural rattan fibers help the mat absorb and dissipate heat more easily. At the same time, with a compact, foldable design, rattan mats are convenient for storage when not in use or for traveling.
Disadvantages of rattan mats
Rattan mats are not the optimal choice for young children. Firstly, they only have average cooling properties, poor breathability, and are very prone to residual formaldehyde. Secondly, most rattan mats on the market are not natural rattan but imitation rattan. Thus, the actual effect will be more or less limited when used.
5. Ru9 Cooling Mat
The Ru9 cooling mat, also known as the IceGuard™ cooling pad, is currently one of the most popular cool sleeping mats for babies. This is because:
IceFiber™ cool fabric technology lowers surface temperature
The IceGuard™ cooling pad uses the most advanced IceFiber™ cool fabric technology available today. Therefore, it can absorb and cool the heat generated by the body in contact with the mattress extremely effectively. This ensures that young children do not feel hot and stuffy between their back and the surface below.
The IceGuard™ cooling pad meets all the standards to help babies sleep soundly and deeply.
Soft and gentle on baby's skin
Unlike the hard surface of bamboo, rattan, or sedge mats, Ru9's cooling pad has a certain level of softness, enough for the baby to sleep comfortably without feeling pain, pressure, or red marks when waking up.
Waterproof, keeping baby's sleeping environment clean
The IceGuard™ cooling pad also features 100% waterproofing, keeping the mattress and baby's sleeping area clean and fresh.
In summary, almost all types of summer mats have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, since infants and young children have extremely sensitive skin and weak resistance, you must be careful when choosing a cool sleeping mat to ensure your baby sleeps comfortably while avoiding illnesses.
>> See more:
- What is a cooling mat? Should you buy a cooling mat?
- Are cooling mats waterproof? Which waterproof cooling mat is good?
- Is a latex foam cooling mat cool? Detailed review
- Address to buy quality cooling mats in HCMC
- Is a foam mattress cool to lie on?
- Does a mattress topper cause a hot back?
