The Best Baby Crib Mattress for a Safe and Comfortable Sleep

Published by Phyllis Smith on

best baby crib mattress

Dream On Me, 2-In-1 Breathable Two-Sided 3" Portable Crib Mattress, WhiteMilliard Mini-Crib Memory Foam Mattress TopperDream On Me 3" Playard Mattress, WhiteMilliard 2-Inch Ventilated Memory Foam Crib/Toddler Bed Mattress TopperDream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress, Twilight
Item Weight 3.5 pounds
3 pounds3.5 pounds5.45 pounds10.55 pounds
Product Dimensions38 x 24 x 3 inches38 x 24 x 2 inches38 x 26 x 3 inches17 x 9 x 8 inches51.5 x 27.5 x 5 inches
Material TypeFoamMemory_foam
Vinyl CoverFoam Vinyl
StyleBreathable fabric and Vinyl coverFits perfectly into portable cribsVinyl CoverFits perfectly into portable cribsVinyl cover
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Second only to safety, the mattress is the most important part of any crib.

When buying the Best baby crib mattress you need to ensure that you get one that is as firm as possible. Due to safety concerns, infants need a mattress that is much firmer than what would normally be an adult’s preference. Don’t worry if you think it is too firm because your child will get used to it in no time at all.

Small Baby Crib

What’s The Best Baby Crib Mattress?

Crib mattresses come in two main kinds, innerspring mattresses, and foam mattresses.

Innerspring mattresses are the same kind of mattresses that most of us have in our beds. Steel springs are coiled inside the mattress that are covered by a soft cushioning layer to provide comfort. Try and get one that is firm, but with plentiful and soft padding. These are usually the most comfortable for your child but are highly durable and safe too.

Foam mattresses are slightly less durable than innerspring crib mattresses. They are generally 4 to 5 inches thick and are made from dense foam (never use memory foam). The main thing you need to consider when getting a foam crib mattress is ensuring that it is not too soft. If it is too soft, it can start to warp under the weight of your child and potentially cause suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Great Or Gimmick? Our Baby Crib Mattresses Review

There are many different features that manufacturers claim to be essential, but are they backed up by research?

Organic Best baby crib mattress are a niche kind of crib mattress that is gaining popularity year upon year. They can be found as innerspring or foam variations. Some people believe that the chemicals and compounds that go into making the vast majority of non-organic mattresses can be harmful to an infant. As such organic crib mattresses are free from artificial chemicals and are made from materials like cotton, wool, and other natural fibers. There are many other benefits of organic mattress.

Research in the scientific community is being conducted on the potential risks associated with using nonorganic materials, and to date, there is little evidence supporting the need for organic mattresses.

baby crib mattress review

But some parents would rather be safe than sorry.

Breathable Best baby crib mattress are another new trend that has recently emerged. The idea behind them is to protect an infant from suffocation by enabling them to breathe through the mattress if the worst happens and they become trapped. Despite the manufacturer’s bold claims, we are yet to hear from independent researchers if they are actually effective in reducing infant mortality rates.

Also, while researchers are not 100% sure, there seems to be a correlation between the use of a second-hand crib mattress and SIDS. While not a scientific fact, there is cause for concern and most researchers recommend parents avoid second hand mattresses until conclusive studies have been conducted.

Features To Look For In The Best Crib Mattress

Ventilation holes in the side of a mattress are an often overlooked feature that will vastly improve the odor of any crib. Diapers leak and babies are messy little creatures, the ventilation holes on the side of the mattress ensure it stays fresher for longer.

Some of the best cribs have covering (aka ticking) that is water resistant, but some of the cheaper ones are not. Water resistance is almost essential due to the inevitable little liquid accidents that will happen when your child is young. But you do not need to have the waterproofing built into the mattress, you can buy a waterproof cover that will do the job just as well.

Shape And Size

Ensuring that you get the right sized crib is paramount to your child’s safety. The most important thing with regards to sizing is to ensure that your crib and mattress fit each other perfectly. Any gaps between the frame of the crib and the mattress are highly dangerous. Infants can get trapped in them with potentially fatal consequences.

To ensure your child has enough room to grow we recommend you get a crib that is at least 52 inches long and 28 inches wide. A crib that is smaller than this can mean your child outgrows the crib before it is ready to move into a real bed.

If you are living in a compact environment there are several kinds of space saver cribs that are a great alternative to getting a small baby crib that might be outgrown quickly. These space saver cribs can be folded and collapsed easily when not in use to provide you with more room for other activities.

While many people like to stick with a traditional rectangular crib, there are many other inventive shapes and sizes on the market. Round baby cribs have soared in popularity in recent years and are an attractive change from the norm. Remember that your mattress choices will be limited by a unique shape like this. You will almost always have to purchase the mattress from the manufacturer of the crib.

Safety

Ensuring your crib is stable and safe is obviously the most important thing you need to consider. Everything else comes second to your child’s wellbeing and safety. Once your crib has been assembled, give it a rigorous test. Push it, pull it, shake it, wiggle it, and move it in every single way you possibly can. If you hear any rattling, or noises, or notice any wobbling or warping then you might have assembled the crib incorrectly. Ensure it is stable before putting your child in it, the best baby crib is a safe crib.

Crib Mattress


Phyllis Smith

I am Phyllis Smith, and I'm on a mission to help you learn how to sleep better. I'm the founder and head writer of MySleepingGuide. I'm a native of California and am excited to share everything I've learned with you! Follow us for the best tips to help you get better sleep at night.