The 6 Best Baby Crib Mattresses in 2020 – Reviews & Information

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Best Organic Crib Mattress

Some mommies call this bed the best organic crib mattress ever and, in my opinion, they’re not exaggerating too much. The Colgate Eco Classica III has every right to be on this list because it is natural, supportive, and suitable for both infants and toddlers.

This mattress is a great choice for parents who are into all things organic. Manufactured with plant-based oils substituting for petroleum-based oils, it can be called the best organic crib mattress.

Isn’t it what you need to ensure your baby’s safe sleep?

Best Crib Mattress for Uniform Support

Here’s another candidate on this list of top-rated crib mattresses from the creators of the ‘Baby on board’ sign. These guys know the deal when it comes to infant safety, and their mattress is one of the best beds your baby can sleep on.

Overall, this is a good budget-friendly crib mattress. It can offer your baby uniform support and sound sleep.

Excellent Breathable Crib Mattress

Now, it’s too soon to call Newton Wovenaire the rop-rated crib mattress, but it is certainly among my favorites. It has a unique structure, which not only looks cool but also creates a safer sleeping environment for your baby. Plus, it is completely breathable and washable, which is a rare quality for a mattress. Newton Wovenaire is an ideal option for parents whose baby tends to toss and turn at night a lot. Even if your little one happens to roll over to his stomach during sleep, he will have no problem breathing, so there’s no risk of suffocation

Great Value for the Money

This is probably the best crib mattress in its price category. Its foam is soy based, which means it’s a natural material, safe for babies and toddlers. It is firm enough to comfortably support your baby’s body. And it is water-resistant, which won’t contribute to the debris and dust buildup. You might think that a combination of all these features will cost you a lot. But with Sealy, you can get it for about $150. This mattress is a great option for families on a budget who don’t want to save money at the expense of quality, let alone safety. You might think that a combination of all these features will cost you a lot. But with Sealy, you can get it for about $150. This mattress is a great option for families on a budget who don’t want to save money at the expense of quality, let alone safety.

Best Waterproof Crib Mattress

“Healthy baby, happy mom” is the Lullaby Earth’s motto, which only proves that this model deserves to be called the best waterproof crib mattress. But there’s more:

It is breathable, natural, and very comfortable.

I really liked the firmness level and the moderate amount of cushioning.

And the best part is:

It’s waterproof, too!

Not everyone knows that designing a mattress to be both breathable and waterproof at the same time is not that simple. But Lullaby Earth have taken on this challenge and seem to have managed successfully. Now, their product can fairly be called the best waterproof crib mattress.

Affordable Crib Mattress

Polka dot is not the only thing that highlights this contestant. Its price will make your jaw drop. But I wouldn’t call this mattress a cheap alternative. It definitely deserves the mentioning because its qualities aren’t comprised solely of the low price.

Does it matter whether the material is organic? If so, skip this option. But if not, take a closer look at it. This mattress is able to provide a good sleep for your child. It is both firm and soft. And, you’ve got to admit it, pretty looking.

Types of Crib Mattresses

Now, let’s see what types of mattresses the market offers for cribs.

Basically, there are only two:

• Foam. Typically made from polyurethane foam, these mattresses are usually quite affordable. What you should consider is that foam tends to have weaker edge support but is a quieter and lighter material.

“Some models on the market are labeled as partially organic. They can be made from food grade polymers and plant-based memory foam. Although more expensive, they are a reasonable investment if you’re into all-natural products”

• Innerspring. These are constructed from a support base, steel coils, and a comfort layer made from foam or cotton. Usually more expensive, they offer better edge support but are a heavier and noisier option.

As you see, each material has benefits and drawbacks, so you must be guided by what matters personally to you. Besides, you should note that every model has individual features. Thus, a quality memory foam mattress may have great edge support, and a quality innerspring one may produce little to no noise.

Factors We Look At

• Size. According to the SPSC, the standard size of a crib mattress should be at least 27.25 inches wide and 51.25 inches long, while the recommended thickness is 5-6 inches. A thicker mattress might work for infants but pose the dangers for toddlers, as it makes it easier for taller kids to fall out of the crib.

“It is important that the mattress fits tightly into the crib to reduce the risks of injuries for a baby. You can do a two-finger test to make sure your mattress suits your crib well. Just try to insert two fingers between them. If you can’t do this, your mattress is safe. But if you can, it’s better to get a larger mattress.”

• Corners. There are a few models on the market that feature rounded corners. Such mattresses fit into standard cribs pretty well, just like models with square corners. However, you’ve just found out that any gaps between the crib side and the mattress side larger than your two fingers are dangerous for your little one. Besides, it’s where a toy or a pacifier can get stuck, which can be pretty annoying. So, we are after square corners.
• Firmness level. Your baby’s developing body needs proper support, which is why firmer mattresses are recommended for infants until they become more active in a crib. This happens at around 12 months old. After that, it’s better to switch to a softer sleeping surface (more on this below).
• Ease of cleaning. Here we consider such factors as the weight of a mattress, its water-resistant properties, ability to survive washing, and resistance to stains. Combined together, they not only ease the cleaning process for parents but also provide a safer and more hygienic sleeping space for babies.
• Cover materials and features. Is the cover breathable? Proper air circulation is key for crib mattresses because babies sometimes roll over to their stomach. In this sleeping position they need to be able to breathe freely; otherwise, there’s a risk of suffocation.
• Safety standards. Every crib mattress has to get GreenGuard and CertiPUR-US certified to be allowed on the market. In order to be labeled “organic”, it should also pass the Global Organic Textile Standard testing.

“Be careful as organic labels are sometimes misleading. For example, the label “organic” doesn’t guarantee the product is 100% organic. The official requirement is 95%. Similarly, the label “made with organic ingredients” only guarantees that at least 70% of ingredients are organic.”

• Value for money. Having considered all the factors above, we look at the price and decide if a particular item is a worthy investment. Sometimes, we mention really expensive or, by contrast, ridiculously cheap models. But you can rest assured these are decent products either way.

What Is the Recommended Firmness for Baby Mattresses?

The answer to this question depends on your baby’s age. As mentioned above, firmer mattresses are a safer choice for newborns and babies up to 9-12 months old.

Here’s the deal:

The softer the sleeping surface is, the more it hugs your infant’s body, inviting him to turn to his side or stomach.

While you may feel pretty comfortable sleeping in these positions, for infants they pose the dangers of suffocation and physical injuries. Besides, tossing and turning at night definitely won’t contribute to a peaceful sleep. A firm mattress will help your child sleep comfortably on his back during the whole night.

When a child grows older (9-12 months old) and starts moving actively in his crib, i.e. crawling, trying to sit upright, and eventually stand up, he might not feel that comfortable anymore with a very firm mattress. Therefore, switching to a softer one is advised. It will conform to your growing toddler’s body better than a firm one. However, it doesn’t mean you should get a super soft mattress that your toddler will sink in. It should be somewhere about 5-6 on the firmness scale.

“Some manufacturers produce models with a dual design, also called convertible or reversible. This means the top and the bottom sides of a mattress will have different levels of firmness. Although such products will be on the more expensive side, getting one can be viewed as a good long-term investment.”

SIDS and How It Is Connected to Your Crib Mattress

According to official sources, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS is the unexplained death of a healthy baby, usually during sleep.

“Boys between two and four months old are at the highest risk of SIDS. However, it’s not a reason to start panicking. There are known ways to reduce the dangers.”

To me, the most terrifying word in this definition is not “death”, as some would suggest, but “unexplained”. Scientists still can’t find the exact cause of this syndrome, although it has been studied for several decades.

But here’s the good thing:

Thanks to the research, we now know several risk factors for SIDS as well as for some other sleep-related causes of infant deaths. And guess what? A few of them are connected to the sleeping environment of your baby.

So, the risks are higher if your infant:

• sleeps on his stomach;
• sleeps on a soft surface;
• sleeps in a hot environment.

All of these risk factors can be avoided if you choose a quality firm crib mattress with good temperature regulation and air circulation properties. Besides, making sure your little one drifts off to sleep lying on his back is your duty as a parent, too.

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What Matters

Of course, I can’t fit into a crib. But you know what, I used to be a baby once. And when it comes to the mattresses, I trust my instincts and experience. So, here are the points I considered when trying to pick the most suitable crib mattress for your baby:

• firmness and overall comfort;
• materials;
• breathability;
• price;
• convertibility;
• company’s reputation.

Important Points to Consider

The first thing I want to teach you:

Warranties don’t really matter when it comes to crib mattresses.

Some manufacturers might offer a 1-year warranty, others – a lifetime warranty. But your baby won’t use the crib mattress for years, so don’t let the warranty conditions buy you over. Pay attention to more important factors: the firmness of the mattress (it is proven that the firmer, the better), the materials used in its construction, whether it’s waterproof or not, and how easy it is to clean it.

Another piece of advice I want to offer you:

Stay away from used mattresses. You might save a couple of bucks with them, but it’s not worth it. Just trust me. Pre-used mattresses are unsanitary. They can be saggy and not supportive enough. Plus, they might hide dust mites inside. They’re just not safe for your baby.

Conclusion

Want to know which crib mattress is the best one?  In my opinion, the Newton Wovenaire deserves the right to be called the best baby mattress. It has a unique construction, which will perfectly support your baby’s tender bones and allow for free airflow. It’s made of natural materials and can be washed, which only makes it safer for your child. I’m sure that both you and your baby are going to love this crib mattress!

Have you already made your choice? What mattress did you pick for your little one? Let us know in the comments!

Additional Resources:

Best Mattresses For Kids – Buyer’s Guide And Reviews

Parent’s Guide To A Healthier Children’s Sleep

Product links on Happysleepyhead are referral. We get a commission on purchases made through our links at no additional cost to you. More information in my disclosures.