One of the most fun things about having a baby is looking for the perfect crib. You’ve done your homework and discovered the item that would round off your nursery to perfection. Now, the only thing left to do to make sure your baby has a good place to sleep is to choose the right crib mattress.

Even though a baby’s mattress in a crib will nearly always be covered with sheets, it is still important to choose the appropriate mattress so that your child may sleep in a secure environment. Choosing the correct mattress for your baby can improve the chances of both of you receiving a good night’s sleep.

Types of Crib Mattresses for Babies

Hypoallergenic Crib Mattresses

Mattresses for infants that are hypoallergenic assist reduce the risk of irritations and other natural responses that are hard to predict and stop. These mattresses provide exceptional protection that will lessen asthmatic symptoms as well as allergic responses.

Waterproof Crib Mattress

There are several things you should always have on hand in the nursery, and a waterproof mattress cover is one of them. This protector will assist to keep your baby’s mattress safe from accidents like diaper leaks, food and liquid spills, and perspiration. Crib mattresses can be kept looking like new for as long as you need them thanks to waterproof protectors, which are both affordable and practical.

Portable Crib Mattress

A portable crib mattress is a smaller and portable version of the full-size crib mattress you use for your baby. It may be moved from one room to another without waking the baby, so you don’t have to wake up a sleeping baby to change their sheets or diapers in the middle of the night.

Choosing the Right Crib Mattress: What to Look For

Mattresses are an important part of getting a good night’s sleep, and parents want to make sure their baby has the best one. Here are some things to look for when buying a mattress for your baby’s crib.

1. Certifications For Safety and Quality

There are certain safety standards that should be met by a crib mattress in order to ensure the health and wellbeing of your child.

Parents can choose a mattress for their child’s crib based on a number of safety certifications. Because a bad crib mattress could be dangerous, it’s important to check the safety ratings of any mattress you’re thinking about buying.

• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Standards (CPSIA). It is required by law that your baby’s crib mattress include no prohibited phthalates, lead, or other tiny parts. CPSIA standards must be met by all crib mattresses.
• GREENGUARD Gold Certification. Since the whole crib mattress and all of its parts are tested in a lab for harsh chemicals and volatile organic compounds, this test will help make sure that your baby’s mattress is safe in general. A third-party lab is required to test them on a regular basis to make sure they always meet the standard. When it comes to things for kids, always look for the “Gold” standard. The Gold standard is a higher level of certification that is needed for products used with children and babies.
• Federal Flammability Standards. A crib mattress must meet these requirements in order to comply with the standard: it must have a surface treatment that is fire-resistant; it must be resistant to degradation; and it must be liquid-proof.
• Chemicals of High Concern to Children. There is always cause for concern regarding the material that your baby sleeps next to; consequently, manufacturers that comply with the 85 chemicals of high concern regulations introduced by Washington State have gone to great lengths to ensure that your baby’s mattress does not contain any additional harmful chemicals.

2. Durability

When looking for the right mattress for your nursery, one of the most important things to think about is how long it will last. You want to spend your money on something that will last a long time and that your child will be able to use after they outgrow the crib.

The only thing that affects how long something lasts is the quality of the materials used to make it. The best crib mattresses have layers of foam or fiber with different densities to support different body weights and positions.

3. Firmness Level

Make sure the mattress you choose has the right amount of firmness for your baby’s needs. Infant bones and body are delicate and need sufficient support in order to develop. A firm mattress will provide the finest support for your baby, which is important to remember given that your child will sleep for more than 18 hours each day.

4. Size

The majority of mattresses are designed to fit into a conventional crib, but there are also a wide variety of mini-cribs and bassinets available, so it’s important to choose the right size for your baby’s sleeping space. Get a mattress that is the right size and shape so that your baby’s little limbs don’t get stuck around the sides. 

5. Breathability

Overheating has been linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), therefore it’s important to choose a mattress with high breathability to assist your baby control their temperature. A mattress that is breathable will enable any sweat that your baby produces to wick away from them, ensuring that their mattress remains dry.

6. Select The Appropriate Type of Mattress

There are a wide variety of options available for cot mattresses. The infant’s mattress should not have any rips, tears, or sagging in any way, and it should be firm and flat. It should also be in excellent shape. There are primarily three types of mattresses: foam mattresses, organic mattresses, and innerspring mattresses.

• Foam: Foam mattresses are often the least expensive, are lightweight, and provide adequate support. They often feature a PVC wipe-clean material on one side, making them simple to clean. In addition, they are hypoallergenic, which may be a great comfort for parents of infants with asthma, allergies, or other sensitivities. Foam mattresses are also made to fit to the shape of a baby’s body. This guarantees a comfortable position for the baby.
• Organic: Made from chemical- and allergen-free natural materials such as bamboo, organic mattresses are ideal for allergy-prone babies. In addition, they will provide enough support and be naturally antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, and breathable. Organic mattresses are constructed from all-natural ingredients and are more comfortable for babies, but they are also more costly.
• Innerspring Mattresses. The innerspring mattress is considered to be the best option because of its spring coil construction. They are cheaper than their organic counterparts. Mattresses with a coil spring interior are a conventional option that continues to be a favorite of many parents. These mattresses feature an inside that is coil spring and are padded with layers of foam to enhance ventilation.

Buying a high-quality, long-lasting baby crib mattress is possible if you keep the above considerations in mind. Shopping for a crib mattress doesn’t have to be hard. It can be kind of fun to think that this is where my precious baby will lay its tired eyes to sleep.