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]Expert ReviewedHow to Assess the Safe Firmness of an Infant Mattress to Prevent Asphyxiation Three Parts:Testing Your MattressPreparing a Safe CribTaking Other Safety PrecautionsCommunity Q&A
An infant mattress (or other sleep surface) that is too soft can be dangerous to infants. A firm mattress might help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). You can test a mattress's safety with two milk cartons and a stack of CDs. In addition to making sure a mattress is safe, you should take other means to assure your infant's safety when sleeping. A safe sleep environment is vital to a baby's well being.A few simple household supplies can be used to test the safety of an infant's mattress. If you don't have all the supplies, you can get most of them at a department store. You will need the following:[1] A pen or marker Two full one liter cartons of milk or juice in a square bottle A stack of 12 CDs or DVDs Draw a ring around one milk carton. Take your pen or marker and ruler. Place your ruler at the bottom edge of the carton. Measure up an inch and a half. Make a mark here and then draw a horizontal line running across one side of the carton. Draw a line on all four sides of the carton.
You should now have one carton with a ring drawn on the bottom. It is not necessary to repeat this with the other carton. Wrap the CDs in plastic wrap and set them on the mattress. Plastic wrap will make sure the CDs stay in a pile. It will also prevent damage. Stack all 12 CDs up in a neat pile. Wrap them securely with plastic wrap. Make sure to take the CDs out of their cases. When you are done, set the CDs on the mattress. Pick the softest part of the mattress. Your baby could roll anywhere on the mattress during the night, so it's important to test the softest part and, especially, where the baby's head will be placed. Placed the cartons on top of the CD stack. Start with the carton with the ring on it. Line up the edge of the CD stack with the ring you drew earlier.[4] The cartons should be lying on their sides. Put the second carton on top of the first one, also on its side. Place it however you need to in order for the cartons and CDs to balance horizontally.
Determine your mattress's safety. A mattress should be firm enough that an infant is not at risk of suffocating if he or she sinks into the mattress. Look at the overhanging portion of the lower carton. This is the portion below the ring you drew earlier This should not be touching the mattress. If the overhanging portion of the carton does not touch the mattress, it is safe for use. If the overhanging portion is touching the mattress, the mattress is too soft. You should replace it. You want to make sure the mattress you use is safe for your baby. Check to see if a mattress has been tested. While testing is not required everywhere, some mattresses are tested prior to being sold. Check the box of any mattress you purchase. See if it says anywhere on the box that the firmness has been tested for safety. Keep in mind, you should still test any mattress you purchase yourself. While mattresses may be tested in the factory, there's still a chance a soft mattress slipped through the cracks.
Make sure the bars and rails of your crib are safe. The mattress in the crib is not the only thing vital to your baby's health. You should also make sure the rails and bars are safe enough to keep your baby from rolling or crawling out of the crib. The bars on a crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart. You do not want a baby to stick his or her head through the bars. The top of a crib's rails should be at least 26 inches from the top of the mattress. You may have to lower the mattress periodically as your child gets taller. Do not place pillows, comforters, and toys in a baby's crib. Your child could smother on these objects in his or her sleep. Your baby may also use toys to get a leg up over the crib as he or she gets older. Do not use crib bumpers or bumper pads, either. If you want to keep your baby warm, it's better to layer him or her in clothing. This is safer than covering your baby with a blanket. However, babies do not always need extra bundling.
A room temperature between 70 and 72 degrees is usually enough to keep a baby warm at night. Lie your baby down on his or her back. Many people believe it is dangerous to lie a baby on his or her back because the baby may choke on saliva. Babies can easily clear themselves of fluids, even when placed on their backs. It is actually safer to lie a baby on his or her back. Babies can breathe easiest when lying on their backs. There are no obstructions keeping them from breathing. If babies spit up in their sleep, they can easily swallow the spit when lying on their backs. Check with your doctor to see if your child has health concerns that might change their safest sleeping position. Place your baby in a crib alone. You should not co-sleep with an infant. You should also not have two infants share the same crib. Babies should always sleep alone. You should also avoid napping with a baby on the couch or in a bed.The less you place in the crib, the better. If you do use a blanket, only use a thin blanket.