Bedtime is one of the rare occasions that you might leave your baby alone. Make sure he or she remains safe and supported by choosing the best crib mattress. There are many factors that go into choosing a crib mattress, so use our reviews of recommended crib mattresses to find a quality bed for your little one.
Best Crib Mattress
The Naturepedic No Compromise crib mattress is made with 100% organic cotton and is filled with 150 firm and comfortable coils. This is a long lasting product that will last with your child until they no longer sleep in a crib. Place your sleeping baby on the firmer side when he or she is an infant, and it over to the softer side when he or she is a toddler.
Fear no spills or accidents on this mattress. The waterproof seams prohibit any liquids from seeping into the bed, and the non-toxic waterproof surface can be wiped clean easily. Rest assured knowing that the polyethylene surface also meets food contact standards, making this mattress perfect for parents who want to avoid any chance of contact with harmful allergens and chemicals.
Edge support keeps your child safe no matter which part of the crib they roam to in their sleep. It fits in most cribs easily, and is flat as a board with the comfort of a cushion. Your child will have no problem getting a good night’s sleep on this comfortable cushion.
What we like: No chemical-ey smell when you open the box!
Top 5 Crib Mattresses Comparison
Compare our recommended crib mattresses using the table below.
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Crib Mattress Reviews
Not sure you’re ready to commit to buying the above mattress? We get it. You need to put time and research into choosing the top product for your little one. You’re in luck, because we’ve already done the research and have reviews of a few more crib mattresses for you to compare.
Colgate Eco Classica
This lightweight foam mattress will fit easily into infant and toddler cribs. The foam is made using plant oils and is ecologically friendlier than other foam mattresses, and the 6 inches of foam lend to tight fitting sheets. The dual firmness offers a harder surface for infants and a softer one for toddlers. The waterproof backing on the organic cotton cover will protect against accidents.
What we like: So light that it’s a breeze to change the sheets.
Simmons Kids Beautyrest Beginnings
Even support is provided by 231 pocketed coil springs in this crib mattress. Dual firmness provides a hard surface for an infant and a more comfortable one for a toddler. The woven fabric cover is both waterproof and stain resistant, and the natural cotton wrap protects against fire and flammability and is made with no toxic materials. The borders of the mattress are reinforced for added stability.
What we like: Very long lasting and durable for even the bounciest babies.
Sealy Soybean
American farmers provided the soybean oils to produce the firm, lightweight and hypoallergenic foam for this mattress. Cleaning is made easy with the stain resistant and waterproof pearl embossed cover. The square corners make the mattress a snug fit in the crib and easy to keep sheets on tight. It does not use flame-retardants, yet it passes all flammability tests. This mattress is friendly to the Earth and healthy for indoor environments.
What we like: An airflow pocket instead of small metal vents for circulation.
My First Mattress Memory Foam
This mattress fits in both cribs and toddler beds, and the square cut edges make it easy to fit sheets on tight. The memory foam is firm, yet comfortable. The soft velour cover is made with 100% polyester and is removable and machine-washable. It is hypoallergenic and mite proof, free of lead and phthalate, and meets federal flammability standards.
What we like: The mattress is perfectly comfortable and supportive for infants and toddlers alike.
We hope these reviews of the best crib mattresses have been sufficient to help you make a decision.
Types of Crib Mattresses
- Coil Spring: These mattresses, if made of good quality, are durable and a favorite for parents who want a long lasting buy. The coil springs offer support, but generally mean a heavier mattress. If buying one of these mattresses, we recommend you look at the thickness of the steel used in the coil, rather than the number of coils, which is often advertised. The steel gauge of the coils should be 15.5 or lower.
- Foam: Cheapest of all the potential buys and lightweight, foam mattresses are not usually recommended for long-term use. Foam can be made of many different materials, so if you buy a foam mattress for your baby’s crib, be mindful of the materials. Choose, for example, latex over polyurethane so that the mattress stays as firm as possible for as long as possible.
- Pocket Spring: These ones are the priciest on the market, but with good reason. While they are similar to coil spring mattresses in that they offer support through steel coils, these differ by enveloping each spring in its own pocket, the result being that the springs move independently of one another and each will compress depending on the weight put on it.
- Memory Foam: Memory foam is a top choice and molds to your child’s shape through temperature sensitivity. If you live in a cold climate, this “cold-blooded” mattress will absorb your baby’s heat and keep him or her warm through the night.
How to Select a Crib Mattress
- Firmness: Even if the mattress seems too firm for an adult, it is important to choose a mattress that is very firm for infants to reduce the risk of SIDS and of suffocation from sinking into a soft surface.
- Dimensions: Measure the dimensions of your crib to make sure the mattress will fit snugly.
- Coil Spring or Foam?: Foam is less expensive, but not always more firm. Spring mattresses are longer lasting, but more expensive.
- Cover: The cover shouldn’t be made with any hazardous materials. It’s also important to try to buy one that is waterproof so no accidents or spills seep into the mattress and taint the material.
- Certified: Make sure it meets all safety standards, most importantly Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Vent Holes: A baby mattress should have vent holes in the sides to increase circulation of air in the mattress’s interior, preventing odors from staying locked in for a fresher mattress.
How to Maintain a Crib Mattress
- Rotate the mattress: Make sure the crib mattress wears evenly by periodically rotating it so that what was once the foot of the bed becomes the head and vice versa.
- Use a mattress cover: A cover will prevent any leaks or damage done to the mattress itself, helping it last longer.
- Change sheets weekly: Changing the sheets will prevent any odors or dirt building up in the mattress.
- Defend against dust mites: Use a dehumidifier in your baby’s room to deter dust mites, and air out the crib mattress in sunlight regularly to prevent odors and to kill any mites.
- Removing urine: Lightly pat the urine spot with a rag and spray with an enzyme-based cleaner. Blot the spot, then sprinkle a healthy amount of baking soda over the wet spot and let dry over night. In the morning, vacuum it up. Good as new.
- Cleaning baby feces: Use latex gloves to pick up and dispose of any solid poop. Carefully scrape any remaining poop with a spoon without pushing it further into the mattress, then spray the area with an enzyme-based cleaner and let sit for 10 minutes. Lightly dab the spot and scrub if necessary with a cloth. Spray and scrub as many times as needed. Use a vinegar solution spray to get rid of odor and air the mattress outside when finished.
We hope the reviews and facts about the top choice crib mattresses have given you the confidence and the tools you need to choose the best crib mattress for you and your baby.