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] Handcrafting the World’s Best Crib Mattresses since 1955 The three most important decisions expecting parents will make on behalf of their baby are: food, a car seat, and a crib mattress.
Because a crib mattress is much more than a sleep surface, it’s a growth and development center. Our third generation, family-owned and operated company of craftsmen has been selling crib mattresses for over 60 years. Certified Safe and Made in the U.S.A. Top Selling Mattresses & Pads Eco Classica III Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress The Colgate Eco Classica III is an expertly engineered dual-firmness crib mattress, packed with 6”... View full product details → EverTrue Diamond Crib Mattress The EverTrue™ Diamond is a lightweight, 6” thick, dual-firmness, eco-friendlier foam crib mattress is designed... Colgate Classica I Crib Mattress This is it – the most recognized foam crib mattress by name in America. The EverTrue™ Cuddle, a 6" crib mattress that's part of Colgate's Total Safe Sleep System™ designed with... 2-N-1 Mattress Crib Mattress The Colgate 2-N-1 is a high-quality, dual-firmness crib mattress engineered to provide both the firmness...
33" x 16" x 4" / 2-Sided 33" x 16" x 4" / 3-Sided 30" x 16" x 4" / 3-Sided Colgate’s contour changing pad turns any flat surface into a baby changing station. Bassinet/Cradle Mattress - 18" x 36" x 2" Colgate’s 18 x 36 x 2” cradle pad mattress provides a firm, supportive sleep and... Colgate's Retro Posh crib mattress is throwback look from 1955, commemorating our company's 60th Anniversary and longstanding... View full product details →Are organic crib mattresses safer for babies? What are the risks of traditional crib mattresses and are organic crib mattresses worth the extra money? What about breathable crib mattresses? If you’re buying a crib mattress you’ll be bombarded with online ads for products that are supposedly safer, but the truth is the science behind crib mattress safety is limited. Here’s what we know: Pthalates and other known toxic chemicals related to PVC are commonly used in crib mattresses and mattress covers: Phthalates are common in our environment because they are used in the processing of plastic, especially in the softening of vinyl and PVC.
Phthalates are not bonded to the vinyl so they are easily and invisibly sloughed off onto our hands, or into the mouths of children with oral habits. They can also be inhaled into the lungs. A recent shows that the baby’s warm body temperature actually increases the release of pthalates from the crib mattress. The authors write, “In infant sleep microenvironments, an increase in the temperature of mattress can cause a significant increase in emission of phthalates from the mattress cover and make the concentration in the infant’s breathing zone about four times higher than that in the bulk room air, resulting in potentially high exposure.” Phthalates, which are restricted in children’s toys, are permitted in mattresses because these items are not technically “toys.” California has banned pthalates in crib mattresses. Phthalates are also found in PVC, including the PVC piping used for home drainage pipes. Have you ever wondered why we use PVC piping for home drainage pipes but not home water supply pipes?
It’s because PVC contains phthalates. As a society we have decided not to use phthalates in children’s toys and home water supply pipes. But pthalates are still permitted in crib mattresses. Exposure to phthalates is associated with disorders of hormonal regulation including diabetes, obesity, early puberty, and infertility. Phthalate exposure is also associated with ADHD, cancer, and a host of other disorders. Crib mattresses can emit toxic gasses: Many chemicals used in the plastics and foams of crib mattresses can evaporate at room temperature, resulting in toxic gasses. These chemicals are called “Volatile Organic Compounds” or VOCs. A recent identified some of the VOCs found in crib mattresses. The authors write, “[VOC gas concentrations] were greater for new mattresses compared to used ones and were influenced by the type of foam material and the presence of mattress cover layer. A variety of VOCs were identified, with polyurethane foam releasing a greater diversity of VOCs compared to polyester foam.”
Flame retardants, such as PBTE and chlorinated-TRIS, are required on crib mattresses in most states: PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) were used as a flame retardant for crib mattresses in the past. They are known to interfere with thyroid function. Poor thyroid function during infant development results in mental retardation. PBDEs were banned in Europe and some U.S. states after they were found to be accumulating in blood and breast milk. New crib mattresses now contain other flame retardants, such as chlorinated-TRIS. This cancer-causing toxin was banned in children’s sleepwear but is still used on some crib mattresses. Manufacturers don’t have to tell you what chemicals they are using as a flame retardant on their mattresses. Even mattresses made from organic materials such as cotton and wool still have to have flame retardants added. Many infants die of SIDS while sleeping on crib mattresses: That doesn’t mean that the crib mattress caused SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), but there is a theory that toxic fumes from crib mattresses could be related to SIDS.