April 26, 2016 by Pregnancy Contributor When you’re getting ready for your baby, you’re sure to start thinking of all the nursery gear you’ll need, like a crib, changing table, diaper pail and a rocking chair. The last item you’re going to remember is probably a crib mattress. It’s certainly not the most exciting purchase you’ll make, but it’s one of the most important. Instead of treating it like an afterthought, take your time choosing a quality mattress that’s good for you and your baby.Simply stated, your baby is going to be spending a lot of time in his or her crib. Good mattresses make bedtime better for babies. That’s definitely a bonus for you, too! They also help support your baby’s body as he or she grows. Unlike child or adult mattresses, baby mattresses should be very firm. Soft sleeping surfaces can pose suffocation hazards and increase your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome.Crib mattresses come in foam and innerspring models. Foam mattresses are usually less expensive, anywhere from $30 to $100, and come in a range of thicknesses and densities.
Thickness is a personal preference, but look for high-density foam if you go this route. Heavier foam mattresses are denser than lighter ones of the same size. Test foam mattresses before buying them by pressing your hand into the center of the mattress. It will form an indent, and this indent should fade quickly in good mattresses. If it doesn’t, it could prevent your baby from changing positions during sleep.Innerspring mattresses are usually more expensive – in the $100 to $250 range – and they’re often more durable. Innerspring mattresses with more coils are generally firmer. The gauge of the wire also plays a role. Lower gauges mean thicker wire, which can also lead to a firmer mattress. Look for a mattress with 135 or more coils and a gauge lower than 15.5.Finally, your last choice is to decide if you want an organic mattress. Yes – certified-organic mattresses made of organic cotton or all-natural wool are more expensive, however, they can really be worth the peace of mind.
They don’t contain the chemicals and industrial compounds that some parents think could result in the emission of toxic gases or allergic reactions in infants. Flame retardants known as PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), vinyl and polyurethane foam, for instance, may emit toxic gases.Look for a GREENGUARD certification, which measures the chemical emissions from the mattress. If a model is certified, an outside laboratory tested it to see if it poses an air-quality risk to your baby. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification can also assure you that certain PBDEs and heavy metals aren’t present in the mattress.If you don’t buy a mattress that’s certified, leave it in a dry place outside for a few days to let off-gassing occur. This allows any noxious compounds to evaporate before you bring it into your home.Size, venting and a mattress cover are other features to keep in mind. You’ll want a mattress that fits snugly into your baby’s crib, with no more than two finger widths between the mattress and the wall or crib to prevent suffocation or entrapment.
Look for vent holes in the sides of the mattress too which will allow air to flow through the mattress. If there’s ever a diaper leak, you’ll be glad it’s there.Mattress covers are also crucial. Look for double- or triple-laminated nylon covers for the best protection.There’s nothing wrong with buying a used mattress, but you have to know its previous environment and whether a mattress cover was used. If you’re unsure, better buy new since recent research has found an association between used mattresses and an increased risk of SIDS. Bacteria and fungus are big concerns with used mattresses, so unless you know one was well protected and you can change the cover, don’t use it. Everyone Sleeps Better with HALO The HALO SleepSack wearable blanket replaces loose blankets in the crib that can cover your baby's face and interfere with breathing. In addition to sleeping more safely, HALO SleepSack products help babies sleep better, too. It's a warm, cuddly blanket they can't kick off, ensuring your little one sleeps soundly throughout the night.
Since 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested the use of wearable blankets. Today, HALO SleepSack products are used by over 1,400 hospitals to promote safe sleep, and by millions of parents nationwide to help babies sleep safely from the start. Safe Sleep Tips for Your BabyHALO™ Bassinest™ Swivel Sleeper Learn More Shop Other HALO Products Keeping Babies Safe From the Start Become a HALO Safer Way to Sleep Hospital Request a FREE Childbirth Educator Safe Sleep Resource Kit Sign up for the HALO Childbirth Educator E-Newsletter HALO in the News HealthEast Hospitals Embracing a 'Baby-friendly' Approach and using HALO SleepSacks Not Enough Parents Trust SIDS Advice, Experts Say New Thinking on Swaddling Infants; Sleeping Sacks Arrive at the Maternity Ward Full Story Babies Can Grow With HALO For Your Little One's Comfort and Safety, Shop Our Full Line of SleepSack Products SWADDLE Birth to 6 mos Birth to 24 mos
EARLY WALKER 6 to 24 mos BIG KIDS 2T to 5T Our Mission: Putting Babies First Our Founder Bill Schmid Our founder Bill Schmid and his wife Cathy lost their firstborn to SIDS. From this tragedy, HALO® and its mission were born. For nearly 20 years we've been dedicated to putting the health, safety and well-being of babies first. From our best-selling SleepSack® wearable blankets that help babies sleep safely, to our award-winning Bassinest Swivel Sleeper that lets you sleep safely next to your baby, to our ComfortLuxe® Sleepwear that helps little ones with sensitive skin sleep more comfortably, all we do comes from one core idea – putting babies first. Learn More About HALOCrib mattresses come in all kinds of different forms-innerspring, foam, memory foam, and more. Innerspring mattresses seem to be making more and more of an appearance in homes all over the world and it has many people wondering, “how many coils should a crib mattress have” in an innerspring bed.
I did some digging and found a bunch of useful information about coils and innerspring mattresses. What Is An Innerspring Crib Mattress A lot of us are used to the traditional foam crib mattress that we slept on as babies and as our kids may now sleep on. Recently, innerspring crib mattresses have been popping up in my mommy friends’ houses. Well, innerspring mattresses are actually more durable than traditional foam and they offer more support. Innerspring mattresses are quite supportive, as I just mentioned. They offer a better weight distribution and they tend to hold up better against just about anything that lays on it. The edge support is also quite remarkable with them, which is great for preventing SIDS. The edges of these are usually wrapped in coil to prevent edge sagging, which is pretty cool. Inside of the mattress are a bunch of coil springs that keep the mattresses shape and firmness. Over time, these do tend to take a beating, but there is a really low chance of these springs getting worn out.
The only issue with these types of beds is that they aren’t easy to clean unless they’re made from waterproof vinyl. Innersprings mattresses tend to be very breathable because they aren’t filled with fluff. Rather, they are composed of the coils, some comfort layers, and usually have some kind of air hole that allows air to flow in and out of the inside. This will keep your baby cool and safe from overheating while they are sleeping. No one like a cranky, sweaty baby at 2 a.m. Unfortunately, the only downfall to these is the weight. The more coils inside of the mattress, the heavier it is going to be. This could cause some issues when it comes time to change sheets or clean it. The ones that I have encountered have weighed upwards of 20 pounds. If you don’t already know, coils and coil count are two different things. The coils are the amount of coils that are actually inside of the mattress and the coil count is the equivalent amount of coils that would be found in a full size mattress.
So really, the coil count doesn’t matter. Coils, on the other hand, matter. There is a definite relationship between the amount of coils and the firmness of the mattress. For example, if the crib mattress has 250 coils that are made with the same gauge steel as a crib mattress with only 150 coils, it’s probably going to be more firm. If those same coils are made with a thinner gauge steel, then you will see no difference. So the main idea here is the more coils you have and the thicker gauge it is, the more firm the mattress is going to be. Generally, mattresses that only have 70 or 80 coils will be less expensive but also less durable. How Many Coils Should A Baby Crib Mattress Have? Honestly, there really is no set number. In my “expert” opinion, I would say start with a mattress that has at least 150 coils. This seems to be the most common number and the price isn’t completely outrageous. If you look for this amount of coils along with a higher quality material, you’ll end up with a flat, comfortable, and firm surface for your baby to sleep on.
If you notice, I have mentioned the word “firm” quite a bit in this article. The reason being is the more firm the mattress, the safer your baby is going to be on it. This is why the more coils are the better option. Babies need a flat, firm surface to sleep on. If they are on something that is too soft for them, they are at a higher risk for suffocation or entrapment. Let’s stay away from that and stick with the high coil mattress, shall we? To sum everything up, the main idea here was to determine how many coils a crib mattress should have. Well, as I said earlier, there really isn’t a set number. A good range would be between 150-250 coils to ensure proper firmness. If you are on a budget and need something in a pinch and your child is old enough to get themselves out of a divot, I would say it is okay to go with something more in the 100 range. Remember, when it comes to babies, the more firm, the better. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to drop up a line!