How To Select The Best Crib Mattress For Your Baby

Type Of Material

The inner construction or core of the mattress is something that many people overlook when choosing a baby bed mattress. Mostly, you will find either spring or foam. An innerspring crib mattress is very durable, breathable, keeps the baby cool, and has less chance of mold or mildew forming. They are heavier and are unlikely to be delivered compressed and rolled in a box. A foam crib mattress is much lighter, will most likely be fully waterproof, and will probably be delivered compressed and rolled into a box. Although it will probably lose shape quicker than a spring crib mattress, it will be fine for a baby to toddler transition for sure. If you’re planning on having a few kids in succession and want to reuse the mattress, an innerspring might be better.

Type Of Cover

Although it’s nice to have a breathable organic cotton cover that is beautiful and soft for your baby, it isn’t the most practical. We’d always recommend a laminated or vinyl outer cover. This type of material is waterproof and can be wiped clean easily. This type of outer cover is unlikely to be removable, whereas a cotton/polyester cover may be removable and washable.

Firmness

The firmness or “feel” of a crib mattress determines more than just how comfortable your infant will be while sleeping. The firmness ultimately determines the support that it will provide to your child’s body. A supportive mattress means the spine will be aligned properly, and a healthy back for children means fewer back-related problems as they grow older.

Waterproof

The next important aspect that you have to consider is whether it’s a waterproof mattress not. The best crib mattress will always be one that’s waterproof. All the mattresses that we have discussed here are fully waterproof or at least water-resistant. As you can imagine, fluid-related accidents can happen at any time. For example, your baby’s diaper comes loose or milk spills from the bottle; there is always a chance of spillage. Liquid can soak into your baby mattress, damaging it permanently. Thankfully, a lot of the manufacturers use waterproof material, which ensures that in the event there is water spillage, the mattress is not badly damaged.

Crib Size

The crib mattress size is a very important factor that cannot be overlooked. Most that are termed “crib mattress” will fit standard cribs and toddler beds and will be approx 27.5 “W x 52 “L x <6” H. Be sure to measure the inner dimensions of your crib to ensure it is a standard size and can accommodate the standard crib mattress dimensions.

Flippable Design

Dual-sided, otherwise known as flippable designs, are the same mattress with 2 different levels of firmness and support on the two sides. Usually, there is a firm side and a soft side. The firmer side is ideal for infants. This is also the side that needs waterproofing because of the high chances of water spillage. Then there is the softer side. You have to flip the mattress to use the side you prefer. The softer side is perfect for toddlers who need a little bit of cushiony comfort.

What happens is that if you buy a 2-sided flippable crib mattress for your infant, it is going to last from baby to toddler years. Once the baby stage is crossed, you can simply flip over the mattress and use the firm side for the toddler to sleep on. So, one mattress does the job of 2 and saves you a considerable amount of money in the process.

Certifications

We have already emphasized the importance of the GreenGuard Gold certification, especially in the context of a baby crib mattress. As the mattress will be placed in your child’s room, you don’t want it to get polluted because of suspended particles that are released from the mattress when it is in use. Also, the mattress should be free of toxins. GreenGuard Gold certification ensures that indoor air quality remains safe for you and your baby. Also, it will ensure the product is free of phthalates and lead.

Another almost mandatory certification, especially when buying a memory foam crib mattress, is the CertiPur US seal. Similar to the GreenGuard, it confirms the foam used within the mattress to be non-toxic and safe.

Lastly, you may come across the JPMA certification. This seal signifies that products manufactured for juveniles in today’s marketplace meet minimum government requirements based on safety.

Trial Period

With most full-size mattresses, you get a free trial period to test the mattress at home. This isn’t usually the case with baby mattresses. If your mattress comes with a money-back guarantee or a free trial period of some sort, this is a nice bonus.

Warranty

One last parameter you need to consider is whether the manufacturer is offering you a warranty, and if so, for how long. The last thing you want is to buy a crib mattress with the intention of using it for a few siblings throughout the years, but find that it had reached its end of days long before you expected.