The appropriate baby mat selection can ensure comfort and safety for your child in their playtime. Baby mats, as many would call them —playmats or baby play mats, offer an extremely safe and clean surface for your child to discover their surroundings. Selecting the right mat involves much more than aesthetic appeal and comfort. It will be crucial in making the order of that baby mat as it will ensure your child’s safety while focusing on several indispensable safety measures you should consider. In this post, we’ll enumerate six significant safety tips you must remember when choosing that baby mat for your baby.
1. The Baby Mat should be Non-Toxic
As you browse different baby mats, look for non-toxic materials. The babies start to inspect the world with their mouths, putting everything, including touching and biting things off of their playmat. It is risky for babies to have mats made from chemicals like phthalates, lead, and BPA (bisphenol A). Always go for a mat that will guarantee your child’s safety by putting ‘non-toxic’ labels.
Non-toxic baby mats keep in view the health of your child. These minimise other health issues by not exposing your little one to harmful chemicals. Always look for certifications stating that the playmat has passed the most stringent safety criteria because a non-toxic baby mat guarantees a safe environment!
2. Padding and Depth
Thickness and padding of the baby play mat provide safety for playing time. Your baby is crawling, sitting, or learning to walk. Falls and tumbles while playing are unavoidable. A padded mat helps protect the child from injuries caused by falls during play. Thin mats hardly have enough padding to act as a cushion, meaning the chances for bumps and bruises are probable.
Use a baby play mat which is thick enough to absorb falls. Good cushioning mats ensure that your baby has a much safer surface and becomes much more comfortable; thus, they can spend many hours playing on floors without discomfort. Read the product description or reviews to see if it protects enough.
3. Use a Non-Slip Surface
A baby play mat should have a non-slip surface. Babies are not still because they move about on their mats. Minimise slipping and sliding. A playmat that shifts around or has no traction increases the chances of your child falling and getting hurt. So, always ensure your baby mat has a non-slip backing to keep the mat securely in place.
Non-slip mats can give your child confidence while learning to crawl or walk. You can now find mats made with surfaces that create textured friction to prevent them from sliding out of place on every type of flooring- tiles and even hardwood. Stability is a quality that reduces the chances of accidents, providing parents and caregivers a break in their worry scale.
4. Use Easy-to-Clean Materials
Baby mats are not an exception to hygiene. Babies can make a tremendous mess when it comes to time in the play-pen, right from the spills of food to these accidents that you wouldn’t even see coming. Thus, choosing a baby play mat made from smooth-cleaning materials will be wise.
Playmats do not hold any bacteria or allergens on the surface. A few playmats contain removable, machine-washable covers so that it is easy to maintain the baby mat in good condition. Ensure your baby mat is easy to clean!
5. Confirm Safety Certifications
While buying any product for your baby, it is crucial to check out safety certificates that prove the quality of the products. Good and reputed manufacturers test their mats for babies against national and international safety standards.
Baby play mats have safety markings (e.g. CE markings) signifying that the product is accepted by European standards. Other forms of certification from organisations like ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). A certified baby play mat can ensure that you purchase something that is tested and tried for your child’s safety.
6. Buy a Baby Mat that Fosters Development
Other than the consideration of safety, a developmental baby mat seems to be a good choice. A playmat often boasts kaleidoscopic colours, different textures, and designs that develop sensory exploration. Some mats come with features such as a soft toy or tactile surfaces you can touch.
However, ensure the mat is chosen while balancing the play value with safety features. Look for non-toxic materials because the mat should be well-cushioned to be stable during use. A great baby play mat will allow your child to enjoy playing while growing in a secure environment.
Safety should be the first concern when selecting a baby mat. You’d ensure the mat is: non-toxic, has good cushioning, is easy to clean and holds safety certifications that ensure your child has a safe space to play in. These guidelines will help you make an informed decision and create a safe environment for your little one.
Here at RAAB Family, we are always ready to help you make the best decisions for your child’s safety and growth. Contact us here today for more helpful hints on choosing the right baby mat for your child.