Buying a Baby Crib Mattress: The Inside Story When you're outfitting your baby's crib, do your homework and test mattresses for fit and firmness. You've picked out a crib, but where do you even start to select a baby crib mattress? Mattress shopping may not be as fun as selecting the crib itself, but it's an important purchase. Just think: It's normal for newborns and infants to spend 15 to 17 hours per day sleeping, according to the National Sleep Foundation. You don't want your baby spending that much time on any old thing. A standard crib mattress is typically sold separately, so here's what to look for when you're crib mattress shopping.Mattress MattersThere are certain characteristics you should be looking for when mattress shopping -- and other factors that don't matter as much.Keep an eye out for these qualities: FirmnessA firm baby crib mattress is part of the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for safe sleeping, as it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation.
A mushy mattress can conform to your baby's shape, which increases the potential for your baby to rebreathe carbon dioxide, a leading risk factor for SIDS. Crib mattress firmness can vary, so trek to the baby superstore or boutique and put mattresses to the test."When your hand is pressed firmly into the mattress, it should spring back immediately when you lift your hand," says Laura Reno, the program director of family support for SIDS organization First Candle. This test applies to both foam and innerspring mattresses, both of which can do the job. Don't skip this important step. In general, think brick. A mattress that seems too hard for you isn't too hard for your baby. Snug FitThe mattress you select should fit tightly in the crib, according to the AAP and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "You shouldn't be able to fit two fingers between the mattress and the crib on any of the crib's four sides," says Nikki Fleming, a CPSC spokesperson. To prevent head entrapment and suffocation, a standard crib mattress size is about 27 inches by 51 inches.
Thickness can't exceed 6 inches. A snug-fitting crib mattress can prevent your baby from getting wedged between the mattress and the crib. If possible, pair the mattress with the crib you're buying and purchase them together so you know they're a good fit. No Dual FirmnessA dual firmness or convertible innerspring mattress has an extra firm side for infants and a cushier standard or memory foam side for toddlers. "Don't buy in to the memory foam craze," Reno says. "Soft or padded is never good for a baby on any product, but especially a mattress." The potential to rebreathe carbon dioxide and raise the risk of SIDS is there, even for toddlers.Nice But Not NecessaryWhen it comes to selecting a safe crib mattress, firmness and fit are the two most important factors to consider, say both Reno and Fleming. For your baby's safety, skip the bumpers, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and sleep positioners. There should be nothing in the crib except your baby and a tight-fitted sheet. "Bare is best," Fleming says.
Beyond firmness and fit, there are two more major crib mattress features you may consider: All-Natural Products And Eco-FriendlinessEco-friendly or organic mattresses are made from plant-based components, such as certified cotton covers, shredded coconut shell, natural latex and plant oil. These elements are pricey to produce. Be prepared to pay up to three times as much for an organic crib mattress as a conventional one. If you decide to go this route, the same rules apply. The mattress should be firm and fit snugly in your baby's crib. Greenguard CertificationA crib mattress that has been Greenguard certified means it has been screened for over 10,000 chemicals and has passed Greenguard's rigorous standards for indoor air quality. It won't emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air your baby breathes. VOCs have been linked to asthma, allergies and lung infections in infants, according to the American Chemical Society. If you'd like to buy a Greenguard-certified crib mattress, visit the website for a complete list, as well as information on other baby products.
Sandra Gordon, an award-winning content provider in Connecticut, helps new parents gear up safely and for less on her blog, Baby Products Mom. Like what you see here? community for free and meet others like you.Best Crib Mattress 2016 . Find our Crib Mattress reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you buy the right mattress for your baby. So you’re building a warm, fuzzy and safe nursery for the new little member of your family and if we’re being honest then buying mattresses is not one of the most exciting things in the world. However, it is important to pick one that is safe and comfortable because your baby is going to spend up to 16 hours in that crib. Moreover, the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development reported that using a hard mattress instead of a soft one helps in preventing SIDS (Suddent Infant Death Syndrome). I would strongly recommend you to stay away from cheap mattresses and go for something that is not only comfortable but is designed to help with the development of your baby and to keep him/her safe.
To make this cumbersome job of searching through thousands of options, we’ve done the hard work and shortlisted it to the best 5 crib mattresses that aren’t only comfortable but offer the required support for the right development of your baby’s growing bones. The mattress we love. Despite the fact that this company shares the name with the famous toothpaste brand, Colgate is one of the best brands when it comes to foam crib mattresses. It offers dual firmness i.e. one side is more firm than the other. The amount of firmness that is suitable for an infant is more than what’s suitable for a toddler and thus this is one feature that you’ll find common in most high quality mattresses. The mattress cover is made of 100% cotton which is great for your baby’s skin, while the inner part of the mattress is made of plant-based foam. The Eco Classica III weighs around 10 lbs which makes it easy to clean and change sheets. All in all, I think it’s currently the best foam mattress in the market and being one of the rare mattresses that has GREENGUARD children and schools certification, it is one of the most comfy and safe mattresses for your baby.
Naturepedic No Compromise is probably the only innerspring mattress that you’ll see us recommending. It is a perfect 150 coils plus mattress with the recommended edge support. This is the most expensive option in our listing. However, the price is definitely justified by the fact that it is the only mattress that is 100% organic cotton both at the inside and the outside. Free from any kind of nasty chemicals that are used during the production of most mattresses, if you can afford it, then this is probably the best crib mattress that you can buy for your baby. The mattress offers dual firmness which makes it a suitable mattress as your baby grows from an infant to a toddler, as the amount of firmness should be decreased with age. The mattress covers are waterproof and easy-clean which makes sure that the sanitation can be maintained over the years. However, the mattress weighs around 17 lbs and if you’re planning to change the sheets yourself, it can get tiresome when done frequently.
Another great dual firmness mattress at a not-so-great price. While it is not 100% organic, they’ve done their best in bringing us a mattress that is vinyl, polyethylene, PVC and phthalates free. The mattress is also CentiPUR certified which verifies that no flame-retardant or toxic chemicals were used during the manufacturing process. The mattress is water-proof and can be easily wiped off with a wet cloth. The Moonlight Slumber has been one of the rare mattresses that have been received very well by moms like you. If you’re not really planning to spend more on your baby’s mattress then this is the best option you can go for. Another great mattress in the mid-range category. Cotton Bliss is as healthy and safe as they get. While the mattress comes with a 100% cotton cover that compares well with the most premium mattresses that we’ve come across, it is not 100% organic. The foam is 73% polyurethane, which most concerned parents would generally avoid.
The mattress is free from plastic coatings like PVC or food-grade polyethylene. The mattress is waterproof and stain-resistant which makes it easy to clean and maintain a safe sleeping environment for your baby. It measures the standard 51.6 x 27.2 x 5 inches which is a snug fit for most cribs. This mattress is built to be extra firm with high density foam; By any means, It’s not the best mattress out there but it is definitely the best bang for your buck. The cover isn’t cotton but is 100% polyester, waterproof and easy to clean. Since it’s a foam mattress, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. The mattress is designed t to exceed the federal flammability and CPSC standards (Consumer Product Safety Commission Standards). However, the low cost comes at a price. First, the mattress does not offer a dual firmness and thus is only suitable for your baby as long as he/she is an infant and you’ll probably have to get a new one as they grow. Secondly, you’ll have to settle for polyester instead of 100% cotton.
While this is not necessarily a bad thing, if you can afford to spend a little more then I would personally recommend you to get one that is 100% cotton. There are two types of mattresses that you can choose from i.e. Foam and Innerspring. There isn’t an inherent benefit of choosing one over the other and it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. As the name suggests, these are made from foam but do not take it on face value. Foam mattresses are as comfortable as they come. They are comparatively lighter and affordable when compared to Innerspring mattresses and both of these could be the deciding factors when making the purchase.The more dense and firm it is, the better. However, the weight of the mattress tends to increase with its density and heavy mattresses can be a hassle to change crib sheets, so make sure that you get something that is firm and dense but light enough that you can handle it with ease. Foam mattresses that weigh around 8-10 lbs are a good fit and offer the best of both worlds.
Innerspring mattresses have springs or coils in them and when considering the same quality grade these are generally more expensive and heavier than foam mattresses. There’s no particular benefit of getting a innerspring mattress over a foam one. However, if you do decide on buying one, here are a few things that you need to look for: 1. Coils : While a lot of people have a misconception that more coils results in a better mattress. This is generally not the case. As per consumer repots, a mattress with 135-150 coils with a gauge of 15.5 or lower is a good option to go with. 2. Border Rods : They keep the mattress firm when your baby walks near the edges and thus is a feature that your mattress should have. All in all, If I were you, I’d go for a foam mattress just because it is cheaper and easier to use/clean than an innerspring mattress. What to look for when buying a Mattress? You would want to compare your last 2-3 options closely and here’s a basic set of features and details that you need to look for when buying
1. Mattress size : Make sure that the size of your mattress matches the crib. This is a small detail that is often ignored and while you can always return the mattress for the right size, it can be easily avoided by making sure of it the first time itself. The crib mattresses generally range from 27 5/8″ to 28 5/8″ wide & 51 3/4″ to 53″ in length. 2. It HAS to be firm : Read reviews, check the product description and if you’re in the shop, just squeeze it between your arms to test. You have to make sure that the mattress is firm, it is critical to your babies’ development and quality of sleep. 3. Waterproof and Machine Washable Cover : While all of our recommendations have waterproof covers that are machine friendly. If you’re planning to go with another mattress, make sure that it offers both the options. Things are going to get wet and dirty and you have to make sure that it’s easy to clean and maintain the sanitation required for the health of your baby.