The lowdown on crib mattresses Types of mattresses What to look for when buying Important safety notes What it's going to cost you The lowdown on crib mattressesA good mattress not only makes bedtime cozier – it supports your growing baby and keeps her safe. Consider cost, comfort, and durability, as your baby will probably sleep in a crib for up to 3 years.Browse dozens of cribs.Types of mattresses“Breathable” mattresses, made of materials that are supposed to allow a baby to breathe freely even if his or her face is pressed up against it, are getting more popular. Experts haven’t yet weighed in on their efficacy.What to look for when buyingDensity: You want high density so it’s firm enough to keep your baby safe while sleeping. Most foam mattresses don't list density on the packaging, but weight can be a good indicator. As for innerspring mattresses, manufacturers often equate the number of coils with firmness, but the gauge of the wire is just as important. Lower gauge means thicker wire, which is stronger and therefore firmer.
Look for a mattress with 135 or more coils and a gauge of 15.5 or lower.Weight: A typical foam mattress weighs about 7 to 8 pounds, although mattresses made of memory foam (an especially dense form of polyurethane) can weigh close to 20 pounds. Innerspring crib mattresses are heavier in general, weighing in at about 15 to 25 pounds. Keep in mind that you'll be hoisting up a side of the mattress, or lifting the whole thing, when changing your baby's sheet.Cleaning: Most traditional mattresses suggest spot-cleaning only. Some have removable covers that can be machine-washed. The innards of at least one crib mattress on the market can be hosed down in the tub once its washable cover is removed.Certification seals: Crib mattresses for sale in the United States must meet safety standards defined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials. (The Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association does not test or certify crib mattresses.) A manufacturer's claim that a product is organic can mean a variety of things, but look for an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (a worldwide uniform certification), which assures you that certain flame retardants and heavy metals were not used to make the mattress.
Important safety notesNo matter what mattress parents choose, they should continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe-sleep guidelines and put babies to sleep on their backs on a firm, bare surface.What it's going to cost youCrib mattresses start at about $40 and can range to more than $350. Organic mattresses start at about $80 and can reach $400. Download our illustrated guide to crib mattressesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. /English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Choosing-a-Crib.aspx [Accessed May 2016]Consumer Reports. Crib mattress buying guide. /cro/crib-mattresses/buying-guide.htm [Accessed May 2016]Consumer Reports. /cro/cribs/buying-guide.htm [Accessed May 2016]CPSC. Learn how to put your baby to sleep safely. http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/cribs/ [Accessed May 2016]Considering that babies can spend up to three-quarters of their time sleeping, it's important that your crib mattress is cozy and safe when you put your child down for a snooze.
Take a few minutes to review this guide and choose a mattress that will help everyone in the house get a good night's sleep. Why a crib mattress? In order to support baby's growing bones and provide a safe sleeping environment, today's crib mattresses are constructed to be firm. For this reason, it is important to only use a crib mattress for your infant. Test the firmness of a mattress by pressing the sides, middle and corners, which should spring back immediately. How can you tell if a mattress fits correctly in the crib? A mattress should fit snugly in the crib. If you are able to easily slide two adult fingers in between the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small for that particular crib. Excess room around the mattress allows for the chance of baby becoming trapped and injured between the mattress and the slats of the crib. Can you continue to use the crib mattress when your baby becomes a toddler? Yes, you can use the crib mattress in a toddler bed once your child reaches the appropriate age.
If you want the option of offering your toddler a softer bed, consider purchasing a dual firmness mattress, which has a firm side for infants and a less firm side for children one year of age and older. Always remember to review and abide by manufacturer's user's manual and instructions. What is an organic mattress? An organic mattress refers to the fact that the mattress materials are produced using certified organic materials. Types of Crib Mattresses When it comes to the construction of your crib mattress, there are two types from which to choose: *Foam mattresses are comprised of foam that is usually made from polyurethane, and they are the most lightweight option. When choosing from this type of mattress, check for firmness by pressing on the mattress, which should spring back readily. *Innerspring mattresses feature a spring unit in the interior of the mattress that consists of steel coiled springs of varying quantities and thicknesses which tend to make this mattress type more durable..
Generally, the thicker the steel and the more springs used, the higher the quality of the mattress. Those beds that possess a border rod of steel that runs along the edges of the mattress also tend to be superior, as the rod keeps the edges of the mattress from sagging with use. What should you look for in a mattress cover? The composition of the mattress cover can impact how long the mattress will last. Also known as ticking, the cover should be waterproof or at the very least water resistant. Waterproofing on the surface of the mattress keeps stains and liquids at bay. Choose quilted vinyl or double- or triple-laminated ticking that is reinforced with nylon. Such material is also resistant to tears and holes, and some covers resist bacterial growth on the cover. Organic mattresses generally have cotton covers that are water resistant. Why do some mattresses have what appear to be vents and others do not? Manufacturer opinions vary as to whether vents in mattresses are beneficial, which is why you will find both types on the market.