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]At Consumer Reports, we usually advise you to lie on any mattress you’re considering for at least 15 minutes. But because warehouse clubs display mattresses standing up and websites offer only pictures and descriptions, you need to rely on those companies’ return policies.
And from our research, buying from them is fairly low-risk. Here are three top-pick memory foam mattresses from our mattress tests that you can buy online or at Costco. This warehouse club received the second-highest satisfaction score from readers in our survey of subscribers’ experiences with mattress stores. Costco doesn’t say outright what its return policies are for mattresses, but from what we can tell, the company aims to satisfy and won’t charge for shipping and handling if you contact them within a reasonable period of time, such as a few months after purchase. That goes for the website and the stores. You don’t need to save the box. Recommended mattress from Costco: Spring Air Back Supporter Natalie, $1,200. If you really need to try the company’s mattress, you’ll have to go to either New York City or Los Angeles for one of Casper's only physical showrooms. Casper offers just one model in six sizes. Otherwise, you get 100 nights to decide whether to keep it.
If not, Casper will let you exchange or return it for your money back with no restocking or other fees. Shipping is free, too. Recommended mattress from Casper: The Casper, $850. You can try both mattress models that Tuft & Needle offers at its showroom in Phoenix, and it has a 30-night trial period. No mattresses actually go back to the company; instead, you’re asked to donate it to a charity and show the seller the receipt for a full refund—or full credit toward an exchange. (If no charity is nearby, the company will arrange to have the mattress picked up.) No need to save the packing materials. Recommended mattress from Tuft & Needle: Tuft & Needle Ten, $500. Prefer to try it in a store? For more choices, including top-rated innerspring, memory foam, and adjustable air mattresses see our full mattress Ratings and recommendations. —Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)#1 in Sleep Product Research Millions Served Since 2008 Ratings >> Memory Foam
Based on 1,649 Actual Consumer Experiences THE GOOD: Affordable • often well suited for those seeking a firmer mattress • limited off gassing odor • Costco return policy for Novaform models • "B" company rating. THE BAD: Too firm for some • mattress does not always fully decompress / regain shape after being unpackaged. THE MATTRESSES: Sleep Innovations & Novaform mattresses (made in USA) consist of memory foam over support foam (most models) over base foam. They ship compressed / vacuum sealed, expanding when opened. THE COMPETITION: Other low-priced mattresses. See how Sleep Innovations / Novaform compare at the memory foam mattress ratings – summary and side-by-side mattress comparison.(See buying a mattress online: what you should know.) Sleep Innovation & Novaform Mattress Ratings Sleep Innovations Company Ratings Model Ratings, Prices, Specs Person Size and Sleep Position Suitability The ratings show how Sleep Innovations / Novaform memory foam mattresses rate compared to the average mattress.
Sleep Innovations / Novaform mattresses overall have 77% owner satisfaction. Durability / longevity overall is at least fair (six-year lifespan on average) but can vary by model. Prices are $350-$950 depending on model and size with the average queen costing about $577. The beds moderately conform to the curves of one's body, resulting in somewhat better than average distributed support and pressure relief. Pain sufferers report fair or better relief, including back pain relief. However, about 5% report new (back) pain. (See mattresses and pain relief for general analysis.) Easy to move on The beds tend to provide no more than moderate resistance to body movement including changing positions and getting up. Like memory foam beds in general, moving or getting up tends to cause little disturbance to one's partner – assuming that a firm, solid-surface, non-spring foundation is used. The various models tend to perform at least average for most owners in regard to the support they provide at the edges of the mattress.
No initial odor / off gassing About 6% of owners (1 in 17) report a significant problem. (See memory foam off gassing for general analysis.) About 6% of owners (1 in 17) report significant and bothersome heat retention. Memory foam mattress owner opinion is generally split on this issue. (See mattresses and sex for general analysis). The mattresses are quiet when lied on or compressed. About 9% of owners (1 in 11) report needing to add a topper to improve comfort. The mattresses come compressed and vacuum sealed. There is an unusually high number of owners – at least 8% – who report that their mattress does not fully decompress / regain its shape. This can result in uneven support, discomfort and a poor appearance. As is true for firmer memory foam beds in general, break-in time is often longer than average especially for side sleepers. Rotating the mattress occasionally can help maintain comfort and support, say owners. The beds have a no-flip, one-sided design.
Easy to move, handle, lift Weight ranges 59-140 lbs depending on model and size with the average Sleep Innovations model weighing 94 lbs. Given their weight and lack of handles, they can be difficult to move and maneuver. The ratings below – based on consumer experiences and the evaluation of Sleep Like The Dead – show how Sleep Innovations Inc. compares to the average mattress manufacturer. "Main Competition" in the charts refers to mattresses that when compared to Sleep Innovations / Novaform have mostly similar feel, prices, owner satisfaction, benefits, construction, and return policies. Sleep Innovations / Novaform has 77% owner satisfaction overall. This rate is very similar to that of main competitors overall and higher than that for all mattresses (74%). See satisfaction ratings for specific Sleep Innovations / Novaform models. Learn how owner satisfaction is determined. Sleep Innovations / Novaform mattresses overall are significantly less expensive than both the average mattress and most mattresses with generally similar specifications.
However, about 9% of owners report the need to buy a mattress topper – priced $35 to $500. Durability / longevity for Sleep Innovations models overall is about fair (six-year lifespan on average). 12% of owners report significant sagging, excessive softening / loss of support occurring within three years of ownership – a rate similar to that of the average mattress. Durability / longevity for Sleep Innovations appears to improve as price / thickness increases. In other words, the least expensive models (namely the Shea / 10 inch) appear to have no better than fair durability / longevity, while the more expensive models (namely Alden / 14 inch) appear to have above-average durability / longevity. More info: mattress type longevity comparison. About 9% of Sleep Innovations / Novaform mattress owners add a topper to the mattress (often priced $35-$500) to lessen firmness and create acceptable comfort. About 6% of owners report bothersome heat retention – a rate similar to that of main competitors overall as well as the average mattress.
Models with gel-infused memory foam likely sleep about 30% cooler longer. More info: mattress heat retention. Sleep Innovations performs better than all mattress companies overall and its main competitors overall based on warranty coverage, customer service, return policy, time in business, marketing accuracy, review access, specifications disclosure, and BBB ratings. Like many mattresses under $1000, Sleep Innovations / Novaform mattresses are used lightly (limited adult use or everyday child use) in a significant number of cases. Sleep Innovations / Novaform Usage Owner Satisfaction Comparison: Regular Use Vs Light Use Prices below are for a mattress only. A foundation is often $150-$400. Firmness provided below is the firmness as evaluated by owners overall, not as provided by manufacturer. * For 1 to 10 firmness scale, 1 = very soft, 5 = medium, 10 = very firm. ** See memory foam density comparison to learn about characteristics of 3 lb/ft density.