Choosing A Crib Mattress

 

When preparing your baby's sleep environment, remember the motto: bare is best. Keep it simple with no stuffed animals, blankets, bumpers, or other items that could pose a suffocation risk.

When shopping for a baby mattress, keep these key factors in mind:

The Mattress Must Fit Properly:

Safety is crucial, so the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enforces safety standards for crib mattresses sold in the U.S. They must be no more than 6 inches thick and at least 27¼ inches wide and 51¼ inches long. Additionally, mattresses sold with cribs must not leave more than a ½-inch gap between the mattress and the crib perimeter.

The Mattress Should Be Firm:

Your baby's mattress should be firm, much firmer than what parents might find comfortable. In late 2022, the CPSC introduced new crib mattress safety standards requiring a firmness test due to the link between soft mattresses and infant deaths. Ensure your mattress was made and sold in the U.S. after August 15, 2022, to meet these standards.

The mattress should be firm enough not to sink under your baby's weight, so avoid memory foam mattresses, which soften and conform to the body. Keep it simple!

Babies Should Sleep In Their Own Beds:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against any form of bed-sharing, including with siblings or parents. Adult beds have items like blankets and pillows that can be dangerous for babies, increasing the risk of suffocation and strangulation. If you doze off with your baby in your bed, move them to their own crib as soon as you wake up.

Which Type Of Crib Mattress Is Best? 

Crib mattresses come in two main types: foam and innerspring. Carolynne Harvey, an infant and toddler sleep expert, explains that the choice depends on parent preferences, with good options available in both categories. If you plan to reuse your crib mattress, ensure it remains firm and doesn't indent under your baby's head or change shape with a fitted sheet. If it does, it's time for a new one. 

- Foam mattresses are typically made from high-density polyurethane foam. Weighing between 8 to 13 pounds, they are lighter than innerspring mattresses, making them easier to handle when changing sheets or adjusting the crib height. They are also generally cheaper, costing between $40 and $400, but they can wear out faster. If the mattress starts to soften and compress under your baby's weight, it's time to replace it.

This foam is different from memory foam, or "viscoelastic foam," which conforms to shapes. You don't want your baby's mattress to change shape; it should remain firm.

- Innerspring Crib Mattresses consist of steel coils encased in cotton or foam cushioning. They usually range in price from $60 to over $1,300. Heavier than foam mattresses, they weigh between 10 and 20 pounds and are generally more durable.

You can assess the firmness and quality of an innerspring mattress by its coil count. These steel springs provide the main support, typically ranging from 80 to over 200 coils per crib mattress. More coils mean more support, which is crucial as babies need very firm, supportive mattresses—much firmer than what adults might find comfortable.

Another way to assess a crib mattress's firmness is by its steel gauge, which indicates the thickness of the coil springs. Lower numbers mean thicker gauge, resulting in a firmer mattress. Higher-quality innerspring mattresses may also feature border rods—steel bars around the edges—for added firmness and support.

- Hybrid mattresses, also known as two-stage, dual firm, or convertible crib mattresses, are designed for use from infancy through toddlerhood. They feature a firm side for infants and a slightly softer side for toddlers. However, per CPSC guidelines, both sides must remain firm enough to be safe for newborns. These mattresses usually include instructions on when to switch sides.

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In short, when buying a crib mattress, prioritize firmness and proper sizing. According to the AAP, the mattress should not indent under your baby's weight and should fit snugly in the crib without any gaps.