A SECURASleep mattress is made for the body of one specific child. There’s no size S, M or L – there’s measuring, design and fitting. Below I describe step by step how it works: from first contact to the first nights at home.
Who the mattress is for
SECURASleep is a custom-made positioning mattress for children with neurological conditions. It contours around the child’s body and holds them in a planned position on their back or side.
Most of the families who come to me have children:
- at risk of hip subluxation or dislocation
- with already confirmed hip displacement
- listed for hip surgery or recovering from it
- with high muscle tone, who spend most of the night in one asymmetrical position
The decision about night-time positioning is best made together with the orthopaedic surgeon who knows your child and their X-ray results. The mattress doesn’t replace orthopaedic surveillance or treatment – it can complement it. I write more about what the research says in the article on night-time positioning.
Step 1 – the form
Everything starts with the form on the website. In it, I ask separately about:
- your child’s diagnosis – described in your own words
- the state of the hips – whether there’s subluxation or dislocation, and whether your child has had or is listed for hip surgery
The website also has information and a short video about the mattress. It’s worth looking at them before getting in touch – they answer many questions.
Step 2 – consultation and documents
For the consultation, it’s worth preparing your child’s full medical records, including hip X-ray results (not ultrasound). These show the condition of the joints and how it has changed over time. I explain how to read them in the article on the Reimers migration percentage.
During the consultation we talk about how your child sleeps now, which positions they lie in, what the orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist say, and what the family expects. Based on this, we decide whether the mattress makes sense and which version would work best.
Step 3 – measuring
I take measurements at hemiLAB, at the patient’s home or at a partner facility. We agree on the place together, so it’s as convenient as possible for the child and the family.
Step 4 – choosing the version
The mattress can be designed for lying:
- on the back – most often chosen after hip surgery
- on the side
- full version – on the back and on both the left and right side
The choice depends on the orthopaedic surgeon’s recommendations, muscle tone, the pattern of asymmetry and how your child tolerates each position. Being able to change position at night matters – clinical guidance suggests a child shouldn’t stay in one position for too long. More in the article on sleep positioning.
Personalisation and small modifications are included in the price.
Step 5 – making and delivery
The mattress is made in Poland, which allows for quick turnaround.
If the family wishes, the mattress can be built into the child’s bed – for beds up to 90 cm wide. In that case, only travel is charged. Travel to the patient and shipping are priced separately.
Step 6 – the first weeks
The mattress is a new situation for your child and the whole family. So:
- introduce it gradually – short periods first, then longer
- watch sleep – whether your child falls asleep and sleeps much as before
- check the skin – especially at the points of highest pressure
- pay attention to breathing and whether your child overheats
- let me know if something isn’t working – sometimes a small adjustment is enough
Children grow, so over time the mattress may need adjusting. I agree the scope and cost of such changes individually.
What I don’t promise
I want to say this plainly, because honesty matters more here than a sale.
I can’t promise that:
- your child will accept the mattress
- your child will sleep through the night
- the mattress will stop hip migration
- the hips won’t dislocate
Every child is different, and scientific evidence for night-time positioning is limited. The mattress is a tool that can help maintain a planned position at night. It doesn’t replace regular orthopaedic check-ups, X-rays or treatment.
For facilities
If you run a medical or rehabilitation facility and would like to get to know the mattress, let’s arrange a presentation. I bring catalogues and run a short training session for your team. For facilities, I also provide a measuring kit that allows you to take measurements yourselves.
Key points
- the mattress is custom-made for the body of one specific child
- the process: form, consultation with records and hip X-rays, measuring, choosing the version, making, gradual introduction
- measuring takes place at hemiLAB, at the patient’s home or at a partner facility
- versions: back, side, or full (back and both sides)
- personalisation and small modifications are included in the price
- the mattress complements orthopaedic care rather than replacing it, and results can’t be guaranteed
This article is for information only. The decision about night-time positioning is best made together with an orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist, based on a full clinical assessment of the child.