How to Choose the Right Crib Mattress

Whether you just found out you're expecting or you are about to have your baby, it can be an exciting time. Chances are you're like most people - you want to get the nursery ready as soon as possible - You have a list of things you will need, but there's something important you should know before you finalize that list - Not all crib mattresses are equal - While it may seem any baby product that's on the market should be deemed safe, that's not always the case.

It's best to keep a mattress off your baby shower list so you can carefully hand pick this item on your own. With several brands and types of mattress, where would you even begin?

Firmness Always Wins

When shopping for a baby crib mattress, you may find that pressing down on one may seem like it's way too firm. You may even think, "there's no way my baby will be comfortable on this." Truth is - Babies are small. The firmness won't bother them, and it's better for them so they don't sink into the mattress.

Having a mattress that isn't firm is a safety hazard, especially with newborns and infants. Their faces can sink into the mattress, posing a suffocation risk.

Some mattresses aren't on display at the store so it can be hard to get a feel of how firm it is. A tip from Consumers Reports is to keep in mind is to look for a crib mattress that has at least 135-150 coils with a gauge of at least 15.5 or below. The idea is to find the thickest gauge, and the lower the number is for the gauge, the thicker it is.

Types of Crib Mattresses

With several types of crib mattresses, it can be overwhelming to know which would be the best option for you baby. As long as you choose a high-quality model, it should be just fine.

Innerspring - An innerspring is one of the most popular types of mattresses due to their reliability and firmness. Innerspring mattresses have steel coils that form a sturdy and resilient structure. On top of the coils, innerspring mattresses consist of layers of various cushioning materials, including foam, cotton, or polyester.

Foam - This type of mattress is usually made from polyutherane, which is a foam resin. A foam mattress is an ideal choice as it's not only durable but lightweight as well. "Foam is usually a less expensive option. Not every foam mattress is created equal, though. Make sure the one you choose is resilient. You can test this by pressing your hand down onto the mattress to see how long it takes for the surface to regain its shape. The faster it takes to regain shape, the better mattress it is. Choosing a mattress with higher density means it will be more firm. Test the heaviness by squeezing each side of the mattress. A denser mattress won't let you press that hard, which means it's the ideal mattress for a newborn and infant.

Double-Sided - A double-sided mattress consists of a firmer side for an infant and a softer side for toddlers. This is convenient for when your infant grows out of the firmer side. This mattress is more pricey, but can save you money in the long run as you won't have to purchase a whole new mattress later on.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

GreenGuard Certification - Your child is going to be spending the majority of her time on the mattress, so make sure you choose one with the safest materials as possible. A major certification to look for is "GreenGuard". This means the mattress has been measured for the chemical emissions.

Organic - Organic materials seem to be all the rage, but keep in mind just because a label says "organic" doesn't mean it's actually made with all-organic material. Be cautious when you see that label so you don't throw all of your money away on something that's still going to have some chemicals in it.

Waterproof - A waterproof mattress is ideal so you don't have the stress of trying to figure out a way to sanitize the mattress after diaper blow-outs and other issues. Having an extra layer of protection with a crib mattress pad is a bonus.

Size - Make sure the crib mattress you choose fits snug all the way around. There should be no open spaces, not even a little bit.

With several cribs to choose from, we hope we helped you so you can make an informed decision for a safe crib. Comment and let us know if you chose a theme for your nursery. We are so excited to hear!