(AD with Naturalmat - see disclaimer)
If there's one topic I've spent a lot of time discussing since becoming a parent it's sleep - it dominates the conversation from that first 'sleep while you can comment' during your pregnancy to those first newborn days when you're practically delirious and surviving on hope and coffee. While sleep can be hard to come by, there are ways you can support your child and in turn, give yourself a welcome break in those early days.
Where your children sleep is the best place to start and what better way than with their mattress! For our four year old we turned to Naturalmat who handcraft organic mattresses and beds in their factory on the banks of the River Exe, in Devon with 100% natural and organic fibre. With over twenty years of experience, Naturalmat combines carefully selected natural materials for supreme comfort and breathability and are treated with an all-natural anti-bed bug and dust mite formula making them perfect for children with allergies or sensitive skin.
We chose the Naturalmat Quilted Coco Mat for our son - a best-selling and award-winning mattress handmade using organic materials which are naturally breathable and self-ventilating to help your child regulate their body temperature for a comfortable night's sleep. It's been a number of weeks since we introduced the new mattress to our son so it was about time I shared some thoughts and talked you through our routine.
The most obvious change for us since introducing the new mattress was J's sleeping pattern. He has never been a great sleeper and he still wakes once in the night for a little reassurance before resettling again. Since sleeping on the Quilted Coco Mat the time between going to sleep and waking up has been much greater which is a relief for us especially as he's been sleeping much later in the mornings too.
I think the firmer feel mattress has just made it so much easier for him to get comfortable and to stay asleep for longer - my husband has said it is pretty comfy too as he did end up in there recently after J had a bad dream.
As well as a good mattress, we find a bedtime routine works really well and ours looks like this:
Add lavender bubbles to a bath
I don't know about you but our night-time routine starts with a warm bubble bath and lashings of lavender. It's the perfect essential oil to induce relaxation and sleep, and one I've used for a number of years. I just add a couple of drops of pure lavender essential oil to running water and swirl, leaving it to create a soothing atmosphere for bath time.
Let's get ready for bed
Warm pyjamas from the radiator, cosy socks and a snuggly dressing gown - the dream right? After a bath we get the four year old dry, add some moisturiser to his skin and help him get into his pyjamas before he chooses his bed stories for the evening. I love this time of the day as we can have a chat about his day and usually a big cuddle.
It's Storytime
J is a little bookworm like me so every evening he gets to choose what he wants to read before bed. The limit is usually two short picture books but occasionally he'll sneak in a third. Our favourites are Avocado Asks, Oh No, George!, Oi Frog and Karate Kids.
Time to get cosy
As mentioned, The Naturalmat Coco Mat is what we have chosen and it has been one of our best decisions. Available from cot size right up to a standard single size - it's perfect for babies and children. The breathable mattress is quilted for comfort, chemical-free, non-toxic and naturally fire retardant and is ideal for newborns right through to children due to its recommended firm mattress. The organic coir made from coconut fibre is perfect for supporting little ones while the organic lambswool is soft and ideal for insulation.
Lastly, the quilted cover is super soft and comes with an OEKO-TEX® certified hypoallergenic treatment to help protect against bed bugs, dust mites, mosquitos and moths. The best bit? The cover is removable and machine washable which is definitely what we all love to hear when it comes to little ones and accidents.
We can absolutely see why Naturalmat has been the go-to for parents for a number of years and those awards certainly speak for themselves. We put all our faith in Naturalmat and they've certainly made our lives even easier.
You can find out more about their story, mattresses and how to order via their website www.naturalmat.co.uk or pop into one of their showrooms for a chat with one of their specialists. From choosing our mattress for J to ordering and delivery - it's been such a warm experience and I couldn't recommend them enough.
