Last year, the number of newborns in South Korea rose for the second consecutive year to 254,300, yet the total fertility rate in July remained below one at 0.89. As the 'Gold Kids' trend spreads, parents are increasingly focused on investing in their children's safety and growth environments.
Particularly, 'sleep separation' is gaining attention as a means to foster children's proper growth and independence, starting with a safe sleep environment and verified quality. When selecting a toddler mattress, factors such as the height difference affecting the bed guard's fall prevention, support for spinal growth, firmness to prevent suffocation, and the safety of materials that come into direct contact with the child's skin must all be considered.
On October 20, Hanssem announced the launch of two types of toddler-specific 'Balance Kids' mattresses (Solid and Two-in-One), reflecting strict standards for height, quality, and materials demanded by parents. The mattresses feature optimal height for child safety, customized firmness for different growth stages, and materials that have passed over 60 safety tests.
Low-Height Design and Customized Firmness for Safety
Hanssem has centered the design of Balance Kids mattresses around providing a 'safe sleep environment' where children can sleep soundly. The average height of Hanssem's standard mattresses is about 33cm. The Balance Kids 'Solid' mattress is the lowest at 16cm, half the height of standard mattresses, while the 'Two-in-One' is 20cm, 13cm lower. The reduced height allows for a higher bed guard, minimizing the risk of children falling over and making it easier for them to climb in and out, according to Hanssem.
Additionally, the hard side of the mattress is designed with infant breathing in mind. The Solid mattress offers a stable and firm support, while the Two-in-One features a dual-sided design with one hard side and one medium side. This allows parents to use the hard side for infants weighing under 14kg, promoting better breathing, and switch to the medium side as the child grows, aiding in pressure distribution. Instead of replacing the mattress as the child grows, parents can simply flip it for extended use.
Hanssem also provides a customized guide to help parents select the optimal mattress based on their child's growth stage and intended use. The 16cm ultra-low 'Balance Kids Solid' is suitable for families with active children under six, where the risk of falls increases, or for parents seeking maximum safety with a higher bed guard.
In contrast, the 'Balance Kids Two-in-One' is ideal for those looking for a high-quality mattress that can be used from toddler to adult stages, or for family bed configurations. It allows for the use of the firm hard side for children under six, ensuring safe breathing during sleep, and can be flipped to the softer medium side for children over six, providing economic benefits.
Safety at the edges has not been overlooked. Both products utilize a 'foam case method' to reinforce the edges with firm foam, ensuring stability even at lower heights. This design allows children to stand on the edges or for parents to sit without compromising safety. The mattresses also feature 'multi-tension springs' that provide soft support on top and firm support underneath, accommodating the weight differences between children and adults.
Over 60 Safety Tests and 15-Year Warranty
Given that these products come into direct contact with children's skin and are used daily, the verification of harmful substances and durability has been enhanced.
More than 60 safety tests for harmful chemicals and allergenic dyes have been completed, along with compliance checks under the Special Act on Safety of Children's Products. Certification for the safety of eight types of radioactive materials, including radon, has been obtained through the internationally recognized KOTITI testing institute. To protect sensitive skin, the Solid mattress uses OEKO-TEX Class 1 certified yarn, while the Two-in-One employs cotton knit fabric free from chemical bleaching and dyes.
Durability has been meticulously designed to maintain firm support over time. The 'inner tufting method' uses tag pins instead of chemical adhesives to secure the filling, reducing concerns about harmful substances and preserving resilience, with a commitment to 100% domestic production. The mattresses feature high-elasticity steel springs with a thickness of 2.0mm, passing 80,000 compression tests under KS standards and 100,000 rolling tests under ASTM standards, offering a 15-year warranty service (limited to manufacturing defects).
Enhanced Safety Guard When Combined with Sam Kids Beds
Hanssem suggests that using Balance Kids mattresses with its flagship kids furniture, the 'Sam Kids Bed Series,' maximizes safety. Depending on the combination of the frame and mattress, the 'actual safety guard height' above the mattress significantly increases.
According to the 2017 growth chart from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the average height of a 12-month-old boy is 75.7cm, and for girls, it is 74.0cm. When the Balance Kids mattress is placed on the 'Sam Kids Daybed SS Four-Sided' frame, which rises to a height of 69cm from the floor, the guard height above the mattress reaches 36.5cm for the Solid and 32.5cm for the Two-in-One, corresponding to about 43-49% of the average height of infants around their first birthday.
Combining it with the 'Sam Kids Low Bed Bumper Type,' which has a frame height of 80.5cm, further increases the guard height. With the Solid mattress, the guard height reaches 55.5cm, and with the Two-in-One, it reaches 51.5cm, covering approximately 68-75% of the average height of a 12-month-old.
Regardless of the frame chosen, the guard height is 13-17cm (over one hand's breadth) higher than when using standard mattresses (about 33cm), significantly reducing the risk of falls while sleeping. The bed configurations can be freely chosen, from standalone beds for children to family beds attached to parents' beds.
A Hanssem representative stated, “Parents starting sleep separation carefully consider not only the combination of mattress height and bed guard but also materials and durability. Balance Kids offers a comprehensive sleep solution that incorporates fall prevention through low-height design, customized firmness for growth stages, and strict safety certifications, and we will continue to propose optimal sleep environments tailored to children's growth cycles.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.