Ecus Kids mattress alternative: what to compare in a baby mattress
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If you are looking for a cot mattress, sooner or later you will come across Ecus Kids. It is the brand that appears first when searching for “safe baby mattress”, and it holds one credential no other brand has. This article explains what that credential covers, what it does not cover, and which criteria apply to any baby mattress — so you can decide with information instead of anxiety.
I write this as the Sleep Adviser at Dreamura, which sells baby mattresses. So I will start with what the competition has and we do not.
What Ecus Kids has, and it is true
The Care range from Ecus Kids is certified by AEMPS — the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices — for the prevention of plagiocephaly and sudden infant death. The brand states that it is the first cot mattress with a health certificate for that purpose.
The facts the brand itself publishes, as of the date of this article:
- The cover has an embossed design that, according to the brand, reduces the pressure on the baby's head by up to 70%.
- It is hypoallergenic and has an antimicrobial treatment.
- Removable and washable cover, for use from birth up to around 20 kg.
- Prices: Care from 233 €, Care Ultimate from 349 € and Care Junior from 555 €.
Dreamura does not have this certification. No Dreamura baby mattress is a certified medical device for plagiocephaly prevention. If that is what you are looking for — and there are cases in which a paediatrician recommends it — Ecus Kids Care is the answer and there is no point in my pushing anything else.
What a certification like this covers, and what it does not
It is worth understanding what is being bought. A health certificate attests that the product was assessed for a specific purpose — in this case, pressure distribution on the head. That is a real, measurable advantage.
What it does not do is replace safe sleep recommendations. Placing the baby on their back, on a firm and flat surface, without pillows, padded cot bumpers or soft objects in the cot — that still applies with any mattress, certified or not. No product removes the need for those practices, and no honest brand suggests otherwise.
It also does not remove the basic criteria that apply to every cot mattress. The rest of this article is about those.
The four criteria that apply to any baby mattress
These are the points highlighted by DECO Proteste and by paediatric guidance in general, and they apply regardless of brand.
1. Firmness — measured by foam density
A baby mattress has to be firm, so that the baby's face does not sink into the surface. In foam mattresses, the figure that reflects this is density, and the reference used is 23 kg/m³ or higher. It is the most important criterion on the list, and the easiest to check — if the brand does not publish the density, ask.
2. Size — no gap between the mattress and the bars
The standard size in Portugal and in Europe is 120x60 cm. The mattress has to fit with no gap: the rule of thumb is that two fingers of space between the mattress and the bar is already too much. Measure the inside of the cot before buying, especially if the cot was inherited or bought second-hand.
3. Fabric certification
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 attests that the fabrics were tested for substances harmful to the skin. It is different from a health certificate — it covers the textile, not a clinical function — but it is the minimum to require in a product that stays in contact with the baby's skin every night.
4. Removable and washable cover
In a cot, there is a lot of washing. A cover that comes off and goes into the machine is the difference between a mattress that stays hygienic for three years and one that does not.
Ecus Kids and Dreamura, side by side
| Ecus Kids Care | Dreamura Kotone / Suzu | Dreamura Mokuren | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health certificate | Yes — AEMPS, plagiocephaly prevention | No | No |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 fabrics | Hypoallergenic, antimicrobial treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Structure | Foam with embossed cover | Foam, density ≥ 23 kg/m³ | Pocket springs |
| Height | Depends on the model | 8 cm (Kotone) · 11 cm (Suzu) | 12 cm |
| Lasts until | Around 20 kg | 2-3 years (Kotone) · 3 years (Suzu) | 5-6 years |
| Manufacturing | Spain | Portugal | Portugal |
| Price in 120x60 | From 233 € (Ultimate from 349 €) | 99 € (Kotone) · 109 € (Suzu) | 159 € |
Ecus Kids prices and specifications as published by the brand on the date of this article. Check their website before deciding.
The Dreamura baby range
There are three mattresses, all in 120x60 cm and all with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics:
- Kotone — 8 cm, foam with a density of 23 kg/m³ or higher. Lasts until the age of 2 or 3. From 99 €. See Kotone.
- Suzu — 11 cm, same density, more height. Lasts until the age of 3, that is, until the move to a larger bed. From 109 €. See Suzu.
- Mokuren — 12 cm, pocket springs. It is the one that lasts longest: until the age of 5 or 6. From 159 €. See Mokuren.
If you do not have a cot yet, the Nekasu Cot meets European standard EN 716, which defines the safety requirements and test methods for cots for domestic use — spacing between bars, height of the sides, stability and strength. It has a non-toxic finish and a base adjustable to three heights, from 299 €.
Three-year warranty, free delivery in mainland Portugal within five working days.
So which one to choose
I will be direct, because in this purchase clarity is worth more than persuasion.
- If the paediatrician has recommended plagiocephaly prevention, or if that is a concrete concern in your case, buy the Ecus Kids Care. It is the product with the certification for that.
- If you are looking for a firm cot mattress, with certified fabrics and the correct density, without a specific clinical indication, the Dreamura range meets the four criteria above for less than half the price.
- If you want it to last until the toddler bed, the Mokuren is the only one of the three that lasts until the age of 5 or 6.
A good cot mattress is not the most expensive one nor the softest one. It is the one that is firm, fits with no gap and has tested fabrics. If the brand publishes the density and the certification, you are already buying with information — and that is more than most of the market allows.
— Ana Cristina, Sleep Adviser
This article is informative and does not replace medical advice. For questions about your baby's sleep, posture or health, talk to your paediatrician.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dreamura have a health certificate on its baby mattresses?
No. Dreamura baby mattresses have OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics and a density of 23 kg/m³ or higher in the foam models, but they are not certified medical devices for plagiocephaly prevention. Ecus Kids Care holds that certification, granted by AEMPS.
What is the recommended density for a baby mattress?
23 kg/m³ or higher in foam mattresses. That is what provides the firmness needed so that the baby's face does not sink into the surface. Kotone and Suzu meet that reference.
What size should a cot mattress be?
120x60 cm is the standard size in Portugal and in Europe. The most important thing is that it fits with no gap — two fingers of space between the mattress and the bar is already too much. Measure the inside of the cot before buying.
How much does a baby mattress cost at Dreamura?
In 120x60 cm: Kotone from 99 €, Suzu from 109 € and Mokuren from 159 €. All made in Portugal, with a 3-year warranty and free delivery in mainland Portugal.
What is standard EN 716?
It is the European standard that defines the safety requirements and test methods for cots for domestic use: spacing between bars, minimum height of the sides, stability of the structure and strength of the parts. The Nekasu Cot meets it.
Which Dreamura baby mattress lasts the longest?
The Mokuren, which has pocket springs and lasts until the age of 5 or 6. The Kotone lasts until the age of 2 or 3 and the Suzu until 3.
