Mattress Terms Glossary

There are various components that go together in making a mattress either for yourself or for a baby. Following are some of the materials that we use in our mattresses and a short description of their virtues in their present application. We also list certain items that we don't use, and explain why we don't use the materials.

Batting
Several layers of Cotton felt. Felt is a treated woven fabric made of thick cotton fibers.
Blended Latex
A type of latex that combines both natural and synthetic latex. Since the goal of the L.A. Baby Naturals line is to reduce chemistry around your baby, we only source pure natural latex for our mattresses.
Boric Acid
Naturally occuring compound of Boron, Oxygen, and Hydrogen (BO3H3) which is found in minerals, plants and seawater. Boric acid is found in nearly all fruits we eat, it is present in vitamin supplements, and many products that are used in the home.
At L.A. Baby, we use Boric Acid treated cotton fiber batting in the fire barrier to provide a safe protective fire retardent barrier in our Naturals mattresses. Centuries of use of Boric Acid have proven it safe. There is a lot of information proving the safety of boric acid.
Border Rod or Border Wire
The heavy wire that forms the outer perimeter of an innerspring mattress. It helps keep the mattresses shape and also provides safety by preventing the edges of the mattresses from sinking and creating soft areas where a child can be trapped.
CertiPUR US
A voluntary industry standard for manufactures of foam components for furniture. The foam that we use in our conventional mattress has been tested for the following: Emissions tested, Content tested, Low emission (VOCs) for indoor air quality, Made without prohibited phthalates, Made without ozone depleters (no CFCs), Made without mercury, lead or heavy metals, Made without formaldehyde, Made without methylene chloride, Made without PBDEs, Durability and performance test.
Coil Count
The total number of coils in an innerspring mattress. L.A. Baby posts the actual coil count of our mattresses, unlike some competitors who list the coil count of a comparable adult full size mattress.
Coils
Wire spirals that form the support system of an innerspring mattress. Also known as coil springs.
Coconut Coir
A coarse fiber made from the fibrous outer shells of coconuts, bonded with Latex. L.A. Baby's coconut coir is bonded using only natural latex. If you are going to buy a mattress made with coconut, insist on natural latex.
Convoluted Foam
Also called “egg carton foam” because of the shape given to the foam. It has a softer feel than a flat slab of a similar foam. It helps reduce pressure points, and thus helps improve circulation.
Cotton
Soft breathable natural fiber that is used to make numberous items. The breathability makes it desirable for mattresses, as it allows baby’s environment to remain at a comfortable temperature, and baby will wake up rested and refreshed instead of hot and cranky.
Core
The main support system layers of a mattress, it can be innerspring, foam, or otherwise.
Cushioning
Layer of material between the insulation and quilting of an innerspring mattress. L.A. Baby cushioning can be latex, visco (memory) foam, convoluted foam, cotton, or organic cotton depending on the model of mattress.
Density
Measurement of weight over volume, usually expressed in pounds per cubic feet. Higher density foam is usually more durable, and sometimes (though not always) firmer.
Dunlop
A process in which liquid latex is "whipped" with air until it becomes a wet foam, is poured into a mold, hardened and vulcanized. The Dunlop process has a tendency to provide a firmer and heavier latex than the Talalay process.
Foam
Padding material used as a supplement, or in some mattresses, an alternative to an innerspring. L.A. Baby uses Latex, Visco-elastic memory, or polyester foam in its mattresses.
Gauge
A measurement of the thickness of wire. Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker wire. L.A. Baby uses gauge 6 or 9 heavy gauge border wire to keep the sides of the mattress firm, and 15.5 gauge coil springs to provide a firm sleeping surface.
Innerspring Mattress
A mattress built around a core made of tempered coil springs. The core is wrapped in several layers of upholstery for added comfort. The majority of the mattresses sold and used today are innerspring mattresses.
Latex
A spongy material produced either from natural or synthetic rubber. Mostly used in higher end mattresses. L.A. Baby only sources latex made from natural rubber.
Memory Foam
A type of high density poly-urethane foam known for slowly returning to its shape after being compressed. It is sensitive to weight and temperature, and conforms very closely to body shape. Also known as visco-elastic foam.
Natural Latex
This is the latex that L.A. Baby uses in producing its mattresses that incorporate latex. It is produce from the sap of the rubber tree. Natural latex is biodegradable, and is prized in mattress making for its natural resistance to bacteria, mold and dust mites.
Pure Latex
Latex that is produced without fillers (i.e. clay). Can either be synthetic or natural latex. L.A. Baby uses pure natural latex in the mattresses in which we use latex.
Quilting
The top-most layer of padding inside a mattress, which is stitched to the underside of the ticking. Can provide additional comfort, and is usually made of a breathable material which allows baby to be more comfortable, and keeps mattress fresher.
Synthetic Latex
Fake rubber made from petroleum, a non renewable resource. We at L.A. Baby do NOT use synthetic latex in our mattresses.
Talalay
Process in which liquid latex is “whipped” with air until it becomes wet foam. It is poured into a mold leaving room at the top, after the mold is sealed, air is pulled from the mold, resulting in an expanded foam. This process usually results in a softer and less dense latex than the Dunlop process.
Ticking
Outer fabric layer on a mattress. Also known as the cover.
Ventilator
L.A. Baby sources brass screen ventilators in the sides of their mattress to allow air to flow through the mattress. This helps keep the mattress fresh.
Wool
Fiber produced from sheep's fleece. It offers natural fire resistance, and is used by some manufacturers immediately below the ticking, in order to meet federal fire requirements and reduce the use of chemicals in their mattresses. L.A. Baby does not use wool in its mattress manufacturing.
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