Creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby is extremely important. Here are 10 baby beds that parents recommend because of their good quality, safe fit, and easy-to-clean designs.
Newton Baby Crib Mattress
The revolutionary Newton is the best option if you’re looking for a crib mattress that allows for maximum air flow. This crib mattress has been created with your child’s safety as a top priority. The Newton’s inner core is composed of 90% air, so your child can breathe freely while wearing it. The mattress’s encasing material is breathable and can be removed and washed without any hassle. That’s not all, though;waterproofyou can switch to the. In addition to being soft and temperature regulating, the mattress’s cover is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic.
You are reading: Ultimate Guide to Choose Crib Mattress 12/2024
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There is no polyurethane foam, glue, or metal springs.
Environment-friendly, hypoallergenic, and recyclable.
Certified GREENGUARD Gold.
Officially certified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Graco Premium Foam Crib Mattress
Graco has been producing high-quality infant gear for over 65 years. While Graco is best known for their strollers and car seats, their Crib and Toddler Mattress has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. Among the many accolades bestowed upon the infant bed is the National Parenting Product Award for 2021. Exactly what sets it apart, then, that makes it so desirable? Its breathable foam interior provides the ideal balance of support and give to ensure that infants can sleep through the night in comfort and safety. The waterproof cover zips off for a thorough cleaning in the washing machine.
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Waterproof
Breathable
Certified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GREENGUARD)
Size of a typical infant/toddler bed (27″ wide x 52″ long)
The Sealy Waterproof Standard Crib Mattress Is the Best Innerspring Option.
The Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress Is the Best Natural Option
Among the most eco-friendly options, choose an Avocado Organic Crib Mattress.
Best Lightweight Folding Mattress: Hiccapop Play Yard Crib Pad
Most Important Baby Mattress: Allswell Memory Foam
Newton Essential Mini Crib Mattress is Ideal for Portable Cribs
The Big Oshi Two-Stage Waterproof Standard Crib Mattress is the Best Option at a Reasonable Price.
Avocado’s Luxury Organic Crib Mattress Is Worth Every Penny
Little Dreamer Moonlight Mattress for Two-Sided Cribs
Lullaby Earth’s Eco-Plus Superlight Crib Mattress
FAQ
What To Look For in a Crib Mattress
Baby essentials shopping requires a lot more investigation than regular shopping. Check out the points we’ve highlighted below to help you select the most suitable crib mattress for your newborn.
Size
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines state that a full-size crib mattress must be at least 27.25 inches wide by 51.25 inches long and less than 6 inches thick. Mini crib mattresses are typically 24 inches wide and 38 inches long.
Fit
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends using your fingers as a gauge to determine if a mattress is a good fit. If you can fit more than two fingers in the space between the mattress and the crib frame, the crib is not safe for use. Injury and suffocation are both more likely to occur in spaces with big gaps.
Firmness
Adults can choose how firm their mattress is, but infants need one that is extremely firm. This is due to the fact that babies are more likely to suffocate on pillows and other soft surfaces because their small heads can more easily sink into the material. Babies should always sleep on their backs, not their stomachs or sides, and their cribs should be kept bare other than a snugly fitted sheet.
Plenty of Headroom for Development
It’s common knowledge that children outgrow things quickly. Choose a crib mattress with a firm and soft side so you won’t have to buy a new one when your baby turns one. Mattresses that are both soft and supportive are best for toddlers’ safe sleep.
Certifications
GreenGuard Gold Certification can be found on many crib mattresses; what does this actually entail? A product with this seal has undergone extensive testing for harmful chemicals and has been found to emit very few of them. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is another certification that ensures at least 70% of the fibers used in the product are organic. Finally, the CertiPUR-US certification indicates that the product makes use of safe, flexible polyurethane foam.
There’s a crib or toddler bed out there that will be just right for your kiddo, whether you’re looking to spend a lot or a little. Continue reading for our picks of the top crib mattresses available today.
What We Found
Initial Steps
Choosing a mattress for a baby’s crib may seem like a tedious chore, but it’s actually quite important. We advise you to spend as much as you can on the mattress, as it will be used both in the crib and later on as your child grows.
What’s the big deal? Your infant will be spending a lot of time in his crib. Babies can sleep up to 18 hours a day, which may seem impossible to believe when you have to get up in the middle of the night to soothe a crying infant.
Make sure there are no sharp corners or other hazards between the mattress and the crib’s frame. Furthermore, a firm mattress is recommended. Soft ones can mold to your baby’s head or face, which can cause suffocation or even SIDS.
Foam mattresses and innerspring mattresses are the two most common options for infant beds. Both types, if made of high quality materials, will retain their form and serve as firm supports for infants and toddlers. However, the two are not identical. Polyurethane foam (which is what most foams are made from) is typically much lighter in weight (between 5 and 13 pounds) than an innerspring mattress (which can weigh anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds). Changing your baby’s sheets will likely involve lifting just a corner at a time, but a foam mattress could make this task a little less laborious. The lack of springiness in foam makes it less likely that your child will use it as a trampoline as they get older. However, in the United States, parents prefer purchasing innerspring crib mattresses. This preference may be due to the fact that the vast majority of adults also prefer sleeping on innersprings.
Choose Only the Best
Try to find a high-quality mattress no matter the type you end up buying. Thin vinyl covers and edges on the cheapest foam and innerspring mattresses tear, crack, and dry out over time. Covers with higher price tags are typically more robust, with features like puncture resistance, double or triple laminate reinforcement, or ultra-fine organic cotton. A heavier innerspring mattress is indicative of a higher quality construction, including thicker or more numerous coils, and a higher density of padding. The same holds true for a foam mattress, but one made of higher-density, higher-quality foam.
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However, you shouldn’t have to go through as many mattresses as the Princess and the Pea did to find one that suits you. Your baby will sleep soundly on a mattress that costs you anywhere from $90 to $200. Innerspring and foam mattresses both cost between $50 and $400 and up. (The pricier ones use natural latex or organic cotton.) It’s possible that models selling for less than $90 are too flimsy and mushy to be useful. Costlier products typically feature more rigid construction, making them less likely to cause injury.
A mattress is not a bed based on its cover.
Almost everything of value about a mattress is hidden within. Some crib mattresses are wonderful to lie on in the store, but they quickly sag under the weight of a baby. Despite working at reputable stores, we discovered that you can never trust the sales staff to give you the straight scoop. In a very convincing manner, one advocated for innerspring mattresses over foam ones, explaining that the latter “breaks down” after about a year and a half. That might have been the case twenty-five years ago, but nowadays it’s not. Atlanta-based manufacturer Colgate Juvenile Products Company’s director of marketing Dennis Schuetz claims that a high-quality foam crib mattress will last as long as an innerspring model under typical conditions. This is due to the increased longevity of modern foam crib mattresses.
It’s time to go shopping!
When you have an idea of what’s available in various price points, it’s time to head to the store to get a feel for what a high-quality crib mattress actually looks like and feels like. Just one place to begin? It’s all about the label. The law requires manufacturers to disclose the mattress’s raw materials. If the manufacturer or store doesn’t make this clear in the product description, packaging, or elsewhere, you shouldn’t buy it. In fact, it’s expected that you’ll be able to determine what makes up each layer. Plus, your hand should immediately spring up when you press down on a mattress. For Schuetz, the worst decision a parent can make is to buy a mattress for their own comfort rather than their child’s. A crib mattress that is a bit firmer than desired is preferable. He explains that babies require more support than adults do, so if something is comfortable for you, it’s probably too soft for your baby.
Buy New
If at all possible, you should invest in a brand new mattress for the baby’s crib. One benefit is that it keeps the mattress clean. You can never be sure of the prior owner’s level of care or storage conditions when acquiring or accepting a used mattress. When crib mattresses are not properly cleaned after being used (for example, to remove diaper leaks or spit-up), mold and bacteria can grow on the surface. If you buy a brand new one for your first child, wash it thoroughly, and store it somewhere dry, you can reuse it for your second child.
Put on a Mask
Protect the mattress from spills and keep the baby’s sleeping area as clean and germ-free as possible by using a washable, waterproof mattress cover.
Compare and contrast
Full-size crib mattresses are required by law to be at least 27 1/4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long and no more than 6 inches thick. Try to find a store that has sample cribs available so you can test the mattress inside one to make sure it fits before making a purchase. The mattress is too small if you can fit more than two fingers in the space between it and the crib.
Stop Stressing Over Guarantees
There are mattress options with one-year, seven-year, and even lifetime warranties. Don’t get sucked in by a long warranty, and don’t pay more for a mattress just because it comes with a warranty. “Warranties are mostly a marketing tool to entice the consumer to spend more,” argues Schuetz. Assuming the cover doesn’t get torn, a good crib mattress should last as long as you need it.
For the record, none of these baby mattresses have been evaluated by us.
Types
As long as you get a high-quality one, an innerspring or foam mattress is fine. Both are highly supportive and will retain their form well for your young child.
Innerspring
The price and level of comfort of an innerspring mattress rises in tandem with its number of layers, the materials used in those layers, and the quality of its cover. The vinyl cover of the $80 Sealy Perfect Rest mattress shown here can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. It weighs 12 pounds and features border rods for added stability (see Features). Another vinyl-covered option is the Simmons Kids Pampering Sleep Supreme 234-coil crib and toddler mattress (around $150). The ‘baby’ side of this mattress is padded with foam, while the ‘toddler’ side makes use of innerspring coils; this is a common feature among mattresses. Convertibility in Features has more information about mattresses with two different firmness settings.
Foam
Polyurethane is a common material for these beds. A good example is the $70 Dream On Me orthopedic firm foam crib mattress shown here; it is waterproof, weighs only 8 pounds, and sells for a reasonable price.
Features
Hardness of Foam
The most desirable qualities in a foam mattress are firmness, weight, and longevity. Put pressure on the middle and the sides of the bed. It shouldn’t give to the shape of your hand and should snap back easily. The shape of your baby’s head is the last thing you want to be molded into anything she sleeps on.
Intensity of Foam
Foam density (the more dense the better) can be evaluated by weighing various models. While it may be difficult to do so in-store, you can most likely locate the data you seek on the internet. A mattress’s density can be checked by picking it up, putting your hands on opposite sides in the middle, and pressing your palms together. To put it another way, you won’t be able to press very far on a dense mattress.
Focal Points
Follow this rule of thumb when shopping for an innerspring mattress: the more layers it has, and the higher the quality of those layers, the better the mattress will be for you. As the steel gauge increases and the quality of the padding improves, so does the overall weight of the mattress, and this includes the innersprings.
Fence Posts
Innerspring mattresses should always have these rods encircling the top and bottom; avoid any mattress that doesn’t have them. To prevent sagging when your baby stands or walks close to the edge of the mattress, these add extra firmness, durability, and strong side and edge support.
Total number of coils and thickness of steel
A common selling point for innerspring mattresses is the number of springs or steel coils they have. A higher number of coils does not necessarily translate to a more supportive mattress. According to Colgate Juvenile Products’ Dennis Schuetz, “the amount of the steel in an innerspring is how you evaluate the spring unit in an innerspring mattress,” rather than counting the individual coils. Low-end innerspring crib mattresses may have as few as 80 coils, while high-end options may have as many as 280. Even so, a model with fewer than 200 coils might be firmer than the more common 300-coil variety. That can’t be true, right? Those 150 coils may have a thicker gauge of steel than the 200 coils in the more expensive mattress. Crib mattress coils come in thicknesses between 19 and 12.5 gauge (the lower the number, the thicker the steel). Schuetz recommends, “Look for a moderate to high coil count.” A good middle ground is around 135–150. To that end, you should think about using a steel gauge of 15.5 or less.
The Colgate Cradletyme Ultra II 150 coil innerspring crib mattress has a weight capacity of 22 pounds, is made with coir fiber, and retails for around $170. (See “Coir Fiber” for details.) Nylon ticking protects it from moisture, and ventilation holes and 150 coils of 13.5-gauge steel make it sturdy. Here, you can see how its construction unfolded in progressively more visible layers.
The Soundproofing Pad
In order to prevent the steel coils from poking through the mattress, an insulator pad is placed on top of them. According to Schuetz, a mattress’s insulator is one of its most important parts. While a mattress with a low-quality insulator may feel fine while shopping, it may not hold up over time. ”
Coir fiber, produced from shredded coconut shells, is an essential component of high-quality insulator pads. Fiber-wrap pads, also known as rag or shoddy pads, are created from pressed pieces of cloth that would otherwise be discarded. Both coir-fiber and fiber-wrap pads work well, but the former is more expensive. Woven polyester is used to make the lowest quality insulator pads. Due to their lower durability, they eventually develop holes. They also develop a dangerous concavity under the baby’s weight, making them unsuitable for use.
Schuetz says that some factories use hard felt, which is like compressed carpet padding (and cheaper than coir fiber), as an insulator. He also claims that low-quality plastic mesh is used as an insulator pad in some mattresses instead of or in addition to woven polyester.
Layers of Cushioning
The coils are the bottom layer of a mattress, and the top layer is the cushioning, which can be foam, cotton, or polyester. Premium materials like foam and cotton come at a higher price. Since the price of mattress components has been on the rise, polyester has become more widely used despite being less than ideal due to its propensity to form pockets.
You shouldn’t buy a mattress unless you’re familiar with its construction. Whether in-store, on the mattress’s tag, or on the brand’s website, customers deserve to be informed. Do not buy a mattress unless you have the option of inspecting its inner composition.
Cover
The mattress is entirely encased in fabric or vinyl. Fabric allows more air to pass through than vinyl, but a vinyl cover with perforations can still be quite functional. Multilayered vinyl covers are more durable than fabric ones in terms of withstanding tears, leaks, and stains. If you want your mattress to last as long as possible, you should get one with at least a three-ply (triple laminated) cover.
Convertibility
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Dual-firmness convertible mattresses, which can be found in the upper price range, are worth considering if you intend to use your baby’s crib for the transition to a toddler bed. One side is more supportive for newborns and the other is more forgiving of rough play. There are some that have regular foam while others have memory foam that is more bouncy on the toddler side. (The risk of sudden infant death syndrome drops after the first birthday, so you can flip the mattress then.) Costing around $180, the Sealy Posturepedic Springfree crib mattress has a side made of soybean foam for newborns and a side made of softer latex foam with a water-resistant soft fabric cover for toddlers.
You can file away convertibility as a “not required” feature. Even when your baby grows into a toddler, he will prefer a firm mattress. He might not want to go back to his old bed after trying one with more give. If you get a mattress with a choice of firmness, don’t flip it until the second or third year.
Zones of Cool Air Flow
A mattress that is 100% waterproof will not “breathe” through the fabric. A mattress with built-in air holes can help with this problem.
As a Protective Coating
Even if the mattress you choose is leakproof, investing in a separate waterproof cover is a good idea to prevent stains. Your baby will sleep more comfortably on a mattress cover, which is not a suffocation risk because it is placed beneath the sheet. She might get cold from the vinyl mattress cover regardless of how well-made the fitted sheet is if she doesn’t have one. If your baby has a mattress, you should invest in a washable waterproof cover to prevent damage from diaper leaks. A damp cloth and some mild soap should be used to clean a crib mattress if it gets wet or dirty.
Cloths that Prevent the Spread of Germs
Although these covers won’t completely eliminate mold and bacteria, their manufacturers claim they can significantly reduce the growth of these odor-causing organisms. Is this hip function necessary for you? Never, ever. It’s true that some worry that antibacterials are being overused in the products we buy. Your baby’s mattress should be cleaned with soap and water after any accidents to stop the growth of bacteria. Put it away in a see-through storage bag made specifically for crib mattresses (light prevents the growth of bacteria). Then put it in a place that is cool and dry, not a hot and humid basement or stuffy attic.
Going Organic
Crib mattresses marked “natural” or ”organic” are widely available and may be a good choice if you want to ensure your child’s health and safety by avoiding potentially harmful chemicals used in their production. Regrettably, no jurisprudential guidelines exist for this type of claim. In theory, the term “organic” could mean something (for example, the cotton used in the covering could have been grown using organic methods), but in practice, this is not guaranteed.
Since we haven’t looked into the safety of organic mattresses for infants, we can’t make any recommendations. Chemicals used to prevent fire damage can be a cause for concern; fortunately, some naturally occurring materials, such as wool, can be treated to be flame resistant without the use of chemicals.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly mattresses, according to Colgate, are typically made with more renewable and sustainable materials like cotton, fast-growing bamboo, coir, plant-based foam, and natural latex (rubber from tree sap that has been injected with air). As an added bonus, according to Colgate’s Dennis Schuetz, “the manufacturing process for some eco-friendly crib mattresses tends to produce fewer carbon emissions.
Some professional groups have developed their own criteria for success. “Schuetz says theThe Environmental Institute GREENGUARDis a trusted organization that conducts emissions testing for consumer goods. However, the definition of a “natural” mattress is not regulated by any sort of industry standardization. In order to ensure that a mattress lives up to their standards, parents should ask detailed questions about its construction.
A mattress with an organic label may only use organic cotton for the cover, but contain conventionally produced materials throughout the rest of the mattress. You can find crib mattresses labeled “natural” or “organic” that are made up of only 5 percent natural or organic materials. Schuetz claims, “One of the newest mattresses on the market has one layer of organic cotton, but is probably 85 percent plastic,” adding that it is not a Colgate mattress. “This is misleading the customer. ”
You can also find mattresses that claim to be all-natural but actually have a vinyl or plastic cover. It’s fine if that’s all you need to know at the moment. Nonetheless, it is necessary to do additional research before making a purchase in this category, and it is still possible to receive an item that is not exactly as described.
“If a mattress is waterproof, it is not natural or organic because of whatever is being used to make it waterproof,” Schuetz says.
The USDA seal of approval that consumers may find on organic textiles is related only to the cultivation of the fiber and not necessarily to the manufacturing process. Europe and Japan also produce a number of well-known clothing brands worth perusing. Oeko-Tex is the name of that certification.Oeko-Tex, The World’s Leading Environmental StandardWhen you see the symbol () it means that testing for potentially harmful substances has been completed. It also considers the manufacturing process and any chemicals used in the mattress’ construction.
Although the Oeko-Tex label can be found on some mattresses sold in the United States, in many instances it is only applicable to a small section of the mattress and not the entire thing. The Colgate Natural I mattress, for instance, features an Oeko-Tex-approved 5-inch layer of coir fiber and natural latex. Inquire into the specific ingredients to learn how organic or natural they are. To get a feel for the value of the difference, it helps to be familiar with the standard.
GOTS, or the Global Organic Textile Standard, is yet another benchmark you may encounter.Normative Framework for Organic Textile Production Worldwide. However, not everyone has started using it. The term refers to a set of guidelines for the manufacture of fabrics from natural fibers. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) requires a minimum of 70% organic fiber content in order to certify a textile product.
Provided That
Eco-friendly mattresses typically cost more than traditional ones. Consider a few examples of current offerings.
Organic cotton is used in the cover of the $280 Pure Rest organic innerspring crib mattress (cotton and wool). The manufacturer claims that it satisfies federal flammability requirements thanks to its “chemical-free wool layer,” which is sourced from sheep raised using organic methods.
The polyethylene plastic waterproof surface of the Naturepedic No-Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 crib mattress shown here is said to be free of vinyl/ PVC, phthalates, lead, and antimicrobial biocides, according to the manufacturer. The price tag is $260. This mattress’s protective cover may reduce occupants’ contact with harmful substances.
Soybeans and other plant oils are used in the production of some eco-friendly foam mattresses. The Sealy Posturepedic Springfree, for instance, is constructed with a soy-enhanced foam core. The mattress has a weight of around 12 pounds and a fabric cover that the manufacturer claims is “wet-resistant.” The Colgate Eco Classica I crib mattress costs $190, is 8 pounds in weight, and is constructed with foam “made with plant oils.” The mattress’s damask cloth cover is also waterproof.
Features of an eco-friendly mattress to look for include:
Protection From Elements With A Cloth Wrapper
In contrast to conventional mattresses, many “eco-friendly” models lack vinyl protectors. (Vinyl has been used for standard mattresses for years because it is long-lasting, simple to maintain, and cheap.) Instead, you’ll find covers made of cotton, organic cotton that hasn’t been bleached or dyed, bamboo yarn, or a combination of these materials. The fiber from bamboo plants is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, and the plant itself can be replenished quickly.
However, a waterproof layer, typically made of polyurethane or polyethylene plastic, can prevent diaper leaks from seeping into the mattress and fostering the growth of bacteria. You should always use a waterproof mattress protector, even if the natural mattress you buy is advertised as waterproof.
The quilted organic cotton cover on one side of the Naturepedic 2 in 1 Organic Cotton Ultra shown here is suitable for toddlers, while the waterproof and antimicrobial surface on the other side is ideal for infants. It goes for $400 on the market. The company also produces a mattress for infants that is not treated to be waterproof. The price of the Organic Cotton Quilted Deluxe is $360.
Mattress protectors made from organic materials that are also waterproof
These typically use a layer of organic cotton, but if the pad is meant to be truly waterproof, a layer of polyurethane is also used. A crib mattress protector like the $25 Snoozy Organic Cotton Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad is one example. Even though it’s constructed from organic cotton, the manufacturer guarantees that the polyurethane coating won’t let in water because it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals like lead or phthalates.
Mattress Protectors Made From Wool
You can choose wool pads to absorb leaks rather than using a product with chemicals if you’re concerned about your baby’s health. However, you should exercise caution, as some parents have reported that wool pads are only “water resistant” and not “waterproof.”
Pure Rest’s organic moisture pad for a crib with a fitted cover costs $195. Another wool pad, the Natura Puddle Pad, retails for around $70.
Thin, Comfortable, and Supportive
The 12-pound Sealy Posturepedic Springfree Soybean & Latex Foam-Core Crib Mattress has a “wet-resistant” fabric cover, according to the company. ”
Some mattresses are padded with natural latex rubber, which is derived from a liquid harvested from tropical trees, rather than foam. (Some infants have latex allergies, but the material may not be a problem if it is sewn into the mattress. Don’t sleep on a latex mattress if you have any reservations about sleeping on one.
Coir
Coir, or shredded and woven coconut shell husks bound with latex adhesive, was commonly used as an insulator pad on top of the coils of high-quality innerspring crib mattresses prior to the advent of the green movement. Other “natural” mattresses, both foam and innerspring, now feature it as well. Both the Colgate Natural 1 (which retails for $370) and the Coco Mat (which retails for $400) from Natural Mat feature coir as the primary filling instead of foam or innersprings, with cotton padding, lamb’s wool, or mohair fleece surrounding it for comfort. Although coir is a renewable resource, it adds significant weight to a mattress.
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Source: https://bestpillowsleepers.com
Category: Best Mattresses
