The most popular crib foam mattresses available are made of high density polyurethane foam. Look for a foam core that weighs at least 1.5 pounds per cubic foot. There are also improved polyurethane foam models that are made with a percentage of natural soy or vegetable oils. Vanessa Nzeh, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatric physician who is passionate about patient advocacy, integrating maternal and child health, and increasing diversity and inclusion in medical education.
Choosing a crib mattress is just as important, if not more so, as choosing the crib itself. Your baby will spend a lot of time on the crib mattress: Newborns can sleep more than 20 hours a day, says Elizabeth King, CEO and founder of Sleep Baby Consulting and mother of three children. You want this to be a place that supports deep sleep and is safe for them. Next, we'll look at the different types of crib mattresses available and share tips from top sleep experts on how to choose the best one for your baby.
Standard crib mattresses measure approximately 52 inches long by 28 inches wide, so what really differentiates them is how they are constructed and what materials they are made of. Here's what's available in crib mattresses sold today. Mattresses for infants and toddlers are the same size, as many are designed for the transition from crib to toddler bed when the child does. A key difference between mattresses designed just for babies and those that are designed to be used in both cribs and toddler beds is firmness.
Crib mattresses should be firm to help protect babies under 1 year old from the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). You may be wondering when to change a child from a crib to a toddler bed. Experts recommend keeping your child in the crib until they are about 3 years old, unless they get out of it regularly, posing a safety hazard. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends making the change for when the child is 35 inches tall (or when the height of the side rail is less than three-quarters of his height) to prevent falling and not coming out of the crib.
Crib mattresses are usually constructed with memory foam or internal springs. One of the main differences between these two options is weight. Foam is usually the lightest option at around 5 to 13 pounds, while innerspring mattresses range from 15 to 30 pounds. Organic mattress options are also available, which are made of natural and non-toxic materials.
Certified organic mattresses are often made with wool, cotton, or natural latex foam and have a label showing an authorization from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). They tend to be more expensive than foam mattresses and crib innersprings, but it can give you peace of mind knowing that your baby is exposed to fewer chemicals while sleeping. Safety should be your number one priority when choosing a crib mattress. It is essential to ensure that you meet U.S.
safety standards. UU. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which recommends a firm mattress that fits snugly to the crib. The AAP clarifies that firm refers to a hard surface and does not bleed when the baby is lying on it.
Sleeping well isn't so much about the comfort of a crib mattress as it is about laying a healthy sleep foundation, Dumaplin adds. According to CPSC, the standard size of a properly fitting crib mattress is at least 27.25 inches by 51 inches, which helps protect the baby from getting caught between the mattress and crib and from suffocating. It's understandably tempting to give your little one a blanket, pillow, or topper to cuddle up in their crib, but these items should be avoided in babies under 1 year old. Resists the need to add protective pads, pillows, duvets, duvets, sheepskin, stuffed animals or any other soft product to the crib along with the mattress, as they can cause suffocation.
As mentioned, safety is paramount when it comes to mattresses for babies. Many mattresses come with additional safety features, and trying to decide if they are needed can be overwhelming. One of the most important features announced is the ability of a mattress to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), generally labeled as breathable. The AAP says there is no evidence to support these claims, but parents can use them as long as they comply with CPSC safety regulations.
The best way to reduce the risk of SIDS in babies younger than 1 year old is to avoid sharing a bed, place them face up on a firm sleeping surface, and keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib. Other mattresses advertise a flame-resistant material, which sounds attractive, but isn't exactly necessary. CPSC safety regulations already require that all crib mattresses meet flammability testing requirements before being sold. Research has shown that additional chemicals that claim to improve this may pose a risk to your baby's health.
On average, crib mattresses will last between three and five years. But that can vary based on a number of factors, including how much wear you receive and what material it's made of. Some experts say that a lower density foam mattress may not last as long as an innerspring mattress because it can lose its shape. Innerspring mattresses tend to last longer, depending on the number of coils and the hardness of the metal.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the quality of the mattress material. The better the mattress is made, the longer it will last against all common baby disasters. Diapers, drool, vomiting, leaking bottles and more will affect your baby's mattress, which may lead to the need for a replacement before your child graduates from the crib or toddler bed. Reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
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In this regard, while online shopping may be convenient, it's best to buy mattresses from a brick-and-mortar store. You can then perform a proper check for dimensions and firmness before making a purchase. The safest mattresses for babies are firm and fit well in the crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not using memory foam mattresses or mattress toppers.
Also, make sure that the mattress does not leave a crevice when your hand presses on it and that there are no coils that do not come out through it. Remember that even if a mattress fits inside the crib you choose, you should not use it unless it is a specifically designed crib mattress. Mattresses that contain a lot of cotton tend to be heavier and feel firmer than foam mattresses, but this firmness is good for a crib mattress. Specialty mattress companies have also developed fully organic alternatives to foam and innersprings, such as mattresses made of wool, cotton, rubber and coconut fiber.
However, some innerspring mattresses have a foam layer, so be careful and ask questions about the construction of each layer of a mattress before buying. For example, the incredible organic cotton waterproof crib mattress protector sold by Brentwood Home is an excellent choice. So, don't pay for an extended warranty or a warranty that comes with the mattress and increases the cost of the mattress. Clearly, then, I don't recommend buying a mattress made with polyurethane foam, but if you're considering a foam mattress, there are ways to make a safer choice.
If you're considering buying a used crib mattress to save money, there's a good chance you'll find one that's suitable and up to standard. Handmade in Los Angeles from certified organic cotton, hemp and wool with a coconut shell pad, this crib mattress is GREENGAURD Gold certified and is non-toxic. We also suggest avoiding any crib mattress covers with thick padding, as newborns and babies should sleep on a very firm mattress to reduce the risk of SIDS or suffocation. Latex (natural rubber) is a renewable and recyclable resource that is increasingly being used to make eco-friendly crib mattresses.
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