Designing Infant Mattresses Tailored to Developmental Sleep Characteristics: A Comprehensive Review

This paper reviews existing research on infant mattress design to promote safe and comfortable sleep and proposes evidence-based design recommendations. Focusing on safety related to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and comfort associated with infant development and thermoregulation, we examine mattress firmness, pressure distribution, breathability, and thermal properties. Since infants have difficulty turning over and possess immature thermoregulatory functions, mattress characteristics directly influence sleep quality and safety. Based on international studies, we clarify the requirements for infant mattresses and provide insights into future product development and evaluation standards.