The Best Crib Mattress for Babies

Importance of Buying the Best Crib Mattress Possible:

A common misconception about a crib mattress is that support and even quality does not matter that much because a baby is so small. Because of this, parents buy the cheapest mattress sold.

This type of mistake is made by parents all the time, especially new parents who simply have not been educated about what to look for and things to avoid when shopping for the best crib mattress.

It is true that a baby does not weigh much but just as support and comfort provided by a mattress is important to adults, they would also be important for a baby.

Because there are so many brands and types of mattress designed for a baby’s crib, most parents feel somewhat overwhelmed and confused about which product is actually best.

To eliminate any confusion, we provided information to make the buying process for the best crib mattress easier. By purchasing the right mattress, a baby would in fact be more comfortable, which reduces the amount of crying, promotes better and longer sleep, benefits health conditions such as colic, and offers the right level of support for growing bones. While all of these reasons for buying the best mattress are important, there is an even more critical reason.

The primary reason parents should invest in the best crib mattress they can afford is to reduce risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, as well as suffocation. Both of these risks have been studied for years and although there are still things that need to be learned, it has been identified that babies who sleep on mattress surfaces that are too soft are at much greater risk than babies provided a firm mattress.

Comparing an Innerspring and Foam Mattress:

The two primary options for a crib mattress are innerspring and foam, each possessing unique characteristics. Although an innerspring mattress is typically higher priced, it is also more durable than a foam mattress. For parents interested in buying a quality innerspring mattress, the goal would be choosing one with 135 to 150 coils and a wire gauge no greater than 15.5.

With innerspring mattresses, level of firmness is based on two things, the number of coils and the gauge of wire. In simple terms, the more coils a mattress is made with the firmer the support. In addition, the lower the gauge, the thicker wire would be and thereby stronger. Therefore, using the guidelines listed above would make it possible to buy the best crib mattress of an innerspring design.

The other popular choice is the foam mattress and just as with an innerspring mattress, there are specific factors that would allow parents to buy one that provides the right degree of firmness.

In this case, the best crib mattress would be made with high density foam or offer 1.5 pounds of weight for every cubic foot. An example of why these factors matter, to buy a mattress with excellent support, a traditional foam mattress would only weigh around seven pounds whereas a high-density foam mattress could be as much as 20 pounds.

Mattress Size:

It would also be essential to find the right size mattress for a baby’s crib. Unfortunately, there have been many babies die because the appropriate mattress was not purchased for the crib. If too small, a small baby could easily roll into the void space and after becoming trapped, suffocate. Therefore, the best crib mattress would need to fit the crib snugly.

A good rule to follow is that the mattress should allow no more space than for two fingers to fit through between the actual mattress and crib. Although using this tip to find a crib that properly fits, it is important to know that very strict laws have been created for a variety of baby items such as car seats, highchairs, and cribs/mattresses

The legal description is that a crib mattress must measure a minimum of 27 1/4 inches by 51 5/8 inches but in addition, mattress thickness cannot be greater than six inches.

Ventilation:

The best crib mattress should also be designed with some type of venting ability. In most cases, this would consist of nothing more than tiny holes created in the side of the mattress. While ventilation may not seem critical, there are several benefits associated with a crib mattress that can breathe. For instance, ventilation prevents moisture from getting inside the mattress, which also prevents potential for the development of mold.

Additionally, ventilation provides an escape route for trapped odors. This means the baby’s bed would remain fresh and clean, which would also promote better sleep. Without vent holes, a wet or soiled diaper, or milk from a bottle could cause the mattress to become wet and smelly. Moisture on the interior of the mattress would be nearly impossible to reach and once odors set in, they can be quite challenging to eliminate.

Material and Construction:

The last two things that should be considered when shopping around for the best crib mattress include the material of which the mattress is made but also overall construction. The mattress should be made with high quality cotton, preferably organic. If needed, parents could add a mattress cover to the top to make it more comfortable but without sacrificing firmness.

As far as construction, double and even triple laminated ticking that has been reinforced with quality nylon is recommended. A mattress with this type of construction would offer better protection from dirty diapers and liquid from a bottle but also offer a greater level of resistance to damage such as holes or tearing.