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] Organic Baby Bedding: What are the best waterproof crib mattress pads? When shopping for organic baby bedding don’t forget an organic waterproof crib mattress pad.
You’ll need this breathable, protective layer to keep your baby’s bed dry and comfy. Because it’s a natural, healthy alternative to conventional mattress protectors made from vinyl or other non-wicking materials treated with harmful chemicals.Which organic waterproof crib mattress pad is best for your baby?Our organic baby bedding collection includes several types of organic waterproof mattress pads; each one is made from certified organic natural fibers and inert waterproof protection. All of these pads do a great job at moisture control. Choose the best one for your baby based on your material preference, how it feels and your budget.Flat Organic Wool Moisture Pad: this soft, felted wool mattress pad offers the most natural moisture protection. No waterproof barrier added. That’s because wool naturally absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture before soaking through. It’s not only very absorbent it also deters dust-mites and adds a light layer of cozy thermal warmth.
Flat Organic Cotton Flannel Mattress Pad: this flat Naturepedic pad is made from two layers of soft, absorbent cotton flannel with an ultra-thin waterproof barrier sandwiched in between. The inert material uses DrySleep™ technology, which makes the pad breathable and super effective in blocking liquids from passing through.Fitted Organic Cotton Flannel Mattress Pad: this Naturepedic fitted pad uses the same organic cotton flannel and waterproof technology as the flat version above. The only difference is this one has side pockets and elastic all the around the bottom for a snug fit on your crib mattress. Stretchy, Fitted Organic Cotton Knit Mattress Protector: if you like the cozy feel of organic cotton knit you’ll like this soft, stretchy mattress pad by Gotcha Covered. It feels like a jersey knit sheet, sort of like your favorite worn & loved T-shirt. But it’s completely waterproofed with a thin film of inert polyurethane. Why do you need a crib mattress pad? We highly recommend an organic waterproof pad to protect your non-waterproof crib mattress.
Some of our customers double-up on pads for extra protection, i.e. a fitted Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof Pad with an Organic Wool Moisture Pad. Even if you have a crib mattress with a waterproof finish it is a good idea to use a crib mattress pad. The mattress pad provides absorbency and helps manage moisture (i.e. leaking diaper, spit up, drooling, etc.). It helps prevent irritation to baby’s skin from exposure to a pool of moisture. Visit our blog to learn more about how-to choose an organic mattress pad.Organic crib mattress manufacturers like Essentia have chosen to do something about the lack of well-made and accountably organic crib mattresses on the market.Essentia won't do any "dances with words" to avoid talking about any unpleasant stuff that is used in the manufacture of our organic crib mattresses, because we take the greatest of care, using only the best materials, to ensure that our mattresses are well-constructed and consist of green and organic materials.
The foam used in their production is made from natural latex memory foam, produced at a firmness that is generally recommended for a good crib mattress.100% organic cotton is what we use to cover our organic crib mattresses. Standard cotton can contain bleach and other chemicals which are undesirable in a mattress which calls itself organic. We use only organic dyes for the styling of our mattress covers.Our removable waterproofing cover, sold separately as the Stinky Pad, removes the need for any chemical or other waterproofing on the mattress itself.Natural latex memory foam mattresses are naturally deterrent to dust mites, not having any of the components in them that dust mites are naturally attracted to.Dust mites thrive in natural fibers such as wool, coconut and cotton as well as polyester batting. Fibrous material are nesting grounds for dust mites.Since the La-La organic crib mattress only has a thin layer of cotton without any batting (nesting ground), it virtually eliminates dust mites which cause respiratory issues.