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]When Nook came out with its acclaimed if exorbitant ($550 – youch!) Pebble mattress, parents were impressed but daunted. The Pebble was designed to allow maximum oxygen flow, which the company claims fosters better sleep and even cognitive development.
Nook now has a Lite version at half the price that has the same pebble design and eco materials, including eucalyptus and nontoxic foam.What to watch out for: The Lite does have an organic cover, but its core isn't organic like the original Pebble's. Also, the Lite is literally lighter than the original – 16 pounds versus 30 – which makes some parents question its support. The main selling point of this mattress, besides the price, is its not-too-soft, not-too-hard firmness. The mattress contains organic cotton and no toxic fire retardants. It also has an air pocket to increase airflow to the baby.What to watch out for: Parents don't like the mattress's vinyl covering. The organic cotton is inside the mattress. Parents say this is the hands-down best organic mattress for the money. The biggest draw, besides the organic cotton cover, is its two-sided design. One side is firmer for infants and babies, the other is softer for toddlers. The coil count is also exceptionally high, similar to much more expensive models.
What to watch out for: Some say the baby side of the mattress isn't firm enough and don't like that you need to air out a plastic smell. Start with a firm and lightweight mattress that resists wear and tear. Combine that with eco-friendly features like an organic cover with waterproof backing that keeps the organic parts next to your baby's skin – and you've got a winner. The mattress also has Greenguard certification, meaning no harmful emissions.What to watch out for: Some parents say the firmness (generally considered an important safety feature in a baby mattress) has gone too far in this mattress, which they gripe feels like a wooden plank. Using 150 coils (a high count for a baby mattress) for a firm but comfortable sleep, the Naturepedic is a best seller because of its quality and all-natural ingredients. The top is waterproof but still completely organic. The mattress is easy to clean, hypoallergenic, and free of any harmful chemicals. Some parents report that the mattress looks as good as new two years later.
Naturepedic is also reported to have great customer service and will send a replacement no questions asked.What to watch out for: There are a few complaints about a strange smell and lumpiness in the middle.Babies often spend more time in the crib than anywhere else, so while comfort is important, safety is essential. Since most children sleep in a crib until it's time to move into a real bed – typically between the ages of 2 and 3 – you'll want a sturdy one.Many moms like to have the crib set up several months before their due date. But don't worry if the baby arrives before your crib does; tots do fine in a bassinet, cradle, or sleeper for the first several weeks or even months of their lives.Space savers: Parents short on space may be interested in portable or mini-crib options, both of which take up less space than full-size cribs. Some fold or collapse for storage; some have wheels so they can be rolled around the house.Frame size: The crib interior should snugly accommodate a standard crib mattress – at least 51 3/4 inches long by 27 3/8 inches wide.
Make sure that there is no space between the sides of the mattress and the crib walls. This poses a significant danger, as babies can get trapped in that space.Most new cribs on the market comply with both mandatory and voluntary safety standards. Read crib safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For starters, make sure yours is properly assembled and structurally sound; the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports many cases in which cribs have come apart. If this happens, a baby's head can get trapped in the spaces between the mattress and side rail.When setting up a crib, choose a spot away from windows, window blinds, and draperies. Babies can strangle on the cords, and older babies could possibly pull themselves up and fall through the window. If there’s a cord on your baby monitor, keep it at least 3 feet from the crib.Old cribs: Cribs made before 1974, when federal crib-safety standards went into effect, are more likely than newer models to have safety problems.
Secondhand cribs may also have splinters, lead paint, discontinued (and potentially dangerous) features, or slats that are too far apart. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart (about the size of a soda can) to prevent a baby’s head from getting suck. Posts on a crib should no higher than 1/16 of an inch (unless they're over 16 inches high to support a canopy); otherwise, clothing can catch on them and injure or choke an infant. Even models manufactured as recently as 1991 can be unsafe, so if you’re borrowing a crib or buying a used one, look out for these dangers as well as for sharp edges, protruding metal, anything that can be broken off and choked on, peeling paint, and cutouts along the rail that can trap your baby’s arm or neck. Check BabyCenter's Product Recall Finder as well to make sure it hasn't been recalled.Safety limits: Crib manufacturers recommend discontinuing use (or converting to the product’s next stage, for convertible cribs) when your child reaches a particular height, weight, or developmental stage.