Infant Car SeatsTravel System Car SeatsConvertible Car SeatsBooster Car SeatsCar Seat AccessoriesPremium Car SeatsCar Seat BasesStroller & Car Seat Toysshop our car seat deals of the dayConsidering that babies can spend up to three-quarters of their time sleeping, it's important that your crib mattress is cozy and safe when you put your child down for a snooze. Take a few minutes to review this guide and choose a mattress that will help everyone in the house get a good night's sleep. Why a crib mattress? In order to support baby's growing bones and provide a safe sleeping environment, today's crib mattresses are constructed to be firm. For this reason, it is important to only use a crib mattress for your infant. Test the firmness of a mattress by pressing the sides, middle and corners, which should spring back immediately. How can you tell if a mattress fits correctly in the crib? A mattress should fit snugly in the crib. If you are able to easily slide two adult fingers in between the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small for that particular crib.
Excess room around the mattress allows for the chance of baby becoming trapped and injured between the mattress and the slats of the crib. Can you continue to use the crib mattress when your baby becomes a toddler? Yes, you can use the crib mattress in a toddler bed once your child reaches the appropriate age. If you want the option of offering your toddler a softer bed, consider purchasing a dual firmness mattress, which has a firm side for infants and a less firm side for children one year of age and older. Always remember to review and abide by manufacturer's user's manual and instructions. What is an organic mattress? An organic mattress refers to the fact that the mattress materials are produced using certified organic materials. Types of Crib Mattresses When it comes to the construction of your crib mattress, there are two types from which to choose: *Foam mattresses are comprised of foam that is usually made from polyurethane, and they are the most lightweight option.
When choosing from this type of mattress, check for firmness by pressing on the mattress, which should spring back readily. *Innerspring mattresses feature a spring unit in the interior of the mattress that consists of steel coiled springs of varying quantities and thicknesses which tend to make this mattress type more durable.. Generally, the thicker the steel and the more springs used, the higher the quality of the mattress. Those beds that possess a border rod of steel that runs along the edges of the mattress also tend to be superior, as the rod keeps the edges of the mattress from sagging with use. What should you look for in a mattress cover? The composition of the mattress cover can impact how long the mattress will last. Also known as ticking, the cover should be waterproof or at the very least water resistant. Waterproofing on the surface of the mattress keeps stains and liquids at bay. Choose quilted vinyl or double- or triple-laminated ticking that is reinforced with nylon.
Such material is also resistant to tears and holes, and some covers resist bacterial growth on the cover. Organic mattresses generally have cotton covers that are water resistant. Why do some mattresses have what appear to be vents and others do not? Manufacturer opinions vary as to whether vents in mattresses are beneficial, which is why you will find both types on the market. Some crib mattresses contain either small eyelet vents or larger round vents on the side of the mattress to increase air flow and keep the mattress fresh. It is thought that the vents allow the mattress to breath, which puts less stress on the seams. The following accessories will enhance and protect your crib mattress. *Mattress pads add another barrier between inevitable moisture and soiling and the mattress, and pads make cleanup easier. If baby wets or soils the bed, you simply remove the pad and replace with a new one, rather than having to wipe down the mattress itself. Buying three helps ensure that you always have a clean mattress pad on hand.
*Fitted sheets that are tight-fitting are another important addition to your create comfortable sleeping conditions for baby. Keep three on hand. *Mattress encasements protect the mattress from soiling.Like a car seat, a crib mattress is a baby essential important enough to research — baby’s sleeping place needs to be safe! You can’t go wrong buying one from a highly-reputable company that’s been around for a while — ask a store clerk if you’re not sure which brands are most trusted. Go online and read what other parents say about the mattresses they’ve purchased. Then, visit a few stores and get a feel for the variety of models out there. While you’re at the store, look for mattresses that are firm but also comfortable (read: no coils poking up through the top or foam that’s hard as a rock). Remember: Firmness can help prevent SIDS. In general, all crib mattresses are firm enough for baby if they’re made using steel springs or have a high-density foam core.
“Find the balance by squeezing the center of the mattress and ensuring it bounces back into shape,” says Andrea Ostapa, senior marketing and product manager for crib mattresses at Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. Though both kinds of mattresses—innerspring and foam—are considered safe, there are major differences in shopping for the two. What to look for: A higher coil count means the coils are closer together, which creates a firmer surface. You can also look for a lower gauge of steel, which means the steel is thicker. Cool feature: The standard cushioning layers of an innerspring mattress are made of PET, polyester recycled from plastic water bottles, which acts as a hypoallergenic cushion, says Ostapa. Upgrade with: Border rods (a steel frame attached to the perimeter of the mattress); corner protectors and steel clips. They’ll all help make the mattress’s core more durable. What to look for: A high-density polyurethane foam core that holds 1.5 pounds per cubic foot.
The higher the number of pounds per cubic foot, the heavier the core. The lower the number, the softer the core. “There are also bonded polyester fiber cores that tend to be a lower-cost alternative to foam, but they are not considered a ‘high-density’ foam,” Ostapa says. Cool feature: Foam mattresses are lightweight; they typically weigh between 8 and 13 pounds. Upgrade with: High-density edges that help protect the sides where a toddler sits. You’ll be changing the bed regularly—sometimes bleary-eyed in the middle of the night—so you should be able to pick up the mattress fairly easily. Any mattress that’s 10 to 20 pounds should be fine for you and baby. Even if you plan on using a sheet saver and crib mattress pad— both smart ideas, since there are bound to be diaper blow-outs— you should also make sure your mattress is waterproof. Having that extra layer of protection means that accidents can’t seep inside the mattress. Your kid is going to spending a lot of time on the mattress, so it makes sense to want safe materials against his or her skin.
One certification to look for is GREENGUARD, which measures the chemical emissions from the mattress. If a mattress has been certified, that means an outside laboratory tested it to see whether it poses any air-quality risk to your baby. Two things to know off the bat: You’ll pay more for an organic mattress, and most crib mattresses aren't actually composed of all-organic material, since many also contain steel and plastics. Still, having organic cushioning or covers gives peace of mind to some parents. When shopping for one, Ostapa says to check that the mattress contains another, firmer material to help keep it in shape (organic cotton cushioning doesn’t bounce back as well as other fibers). Also, organic cotton covers aren’t waterproof, so look for an eco-friendly treatment for extra protection. A high price tag doesn’t necessarily mean better quality; sometimes you’re just paying for extra features that you may not even care about. “Some manufacturers have been making crib mattresses for so long and have conducted so many quality tests that even the lowest-priced mattress is of the highest quality,” Ostapa says.