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How to buy a crib mattress

Your child will probably sleep on a crib mattress for

2 to 4 years.
You can use a crib mattress in some toddler beds.

Some use organic materials and are There are two basic types: foam and innerspring.
free of various chemicals.

What to look for when buying

Safety standards: Look for Juvenile Products

Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification.
This ensures that the mattress was tested for
quality and safety.

A sturdy mattress cover: For water resistance,

Foam mattresses: These are usually the least look for double- or triple-laminated ticking
expensive and the lightest option. Dense, heavy reinforced with nylon. This composition is also
foam mattresses tend to be higher quality and more resistant to tears, holes, and soggy diapers.
last longer, but anything too heavy makes it Organic mattresses usually have cotton covers.
hard to change the crib sheet.

Firmness: Choose a firm crib mattress Venting: Small vent holes on the sides
made specifically for babies - a soft of the mattress let air flow in and out.
sleeping surface raises the risk for A mattress will smell better if it has
suffocation and SIDS. Test your mattress plenty of vent holes to let odors escape.
by pushing down on it. An innerspring
mattress should feel firm, almost stiff,
and bounce back immediately. A foam
mattress should quickly regain its shape.

Organic: A growing number of

Size: The mattress needs to fit snugly in the crib,
with no more than two fingers of space between
the side of the mattress and the crib frame.
Innerspring mattresses: These are usually more
expensive and can be more durable than foam.
Lower gauge means thicker wire, which is stronger
and therefore firmer. Look for a mattress with 135
or more coils and a gauge of 15.5 or lower.
parents are choosing foam or innerspring
crib mattresses made of all-natural or
organic materials, usually cotton or wool.
These are free of some of the chemicals
and industrial compounds used in standard
mattresses.

What to avoid What it’s going to cost you

Foam mattresses range in price from
Used crib mattresses
Unless kept pristine, these can harbor bacteria and mold. $50 to $100
Innerspring mattresses run from

Air mattresses and water beds

The soft, giving surface is a suffocation hazard for babies.
$100 to $250
And organic versions can be

$150 to $500 or more

Some memory foam
If it doesn’t regain its shape quickly, it’s not safe for For more information about
your baby.
crib mattresses,
visit babycenter.com/cribs