Are you looking for a crib mattress to provide comfort for your baby while keeping him/her safe? Here are the 10 best crib mattresses in 2021
Best overall crib mattress: Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress
Best two-sided Crib Mattress: Safety 1st Transitions Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress
Best Crib Mattress for sensitive skin: Sealy Soybean Natural Dream Infant/Toddler Crib Mattress
Best organic Cotton Crib Mattress: Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage
Best breathable crib mattress: Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage
Things to consider before buying crib mattresses
Type of Mattress
Crib mattresses come in two major categories, foam and innerspring. The difference is explained below
Foam
These are the most popular mattresses in the market, mainly because they are lightweight and are relatively cheap. They come in different sizes ranging from high-density options that go up to 6 inches to thinner options that are 3 inches thick.
Whether the foam is high density or not, you should always make sure that it is firm enough to avoid Sudden Death Infant Syndrome ( SIDS).
Though nowadays, most manufacturers design dual-sided mattresses with different firmness on either side. One side will be firm and therefore meant for infants, while the other side is softer and more suitable for toddlers.
This design saves you money in the long run since you will not have to invest in another mattress once your child gets older. Instead you just turn the mattress and use the softer side.
Before buying a mattress, you should make sure you know if the core is washable or not. Most cores are not washable, but few can be washed. However, they will need to be air-dried for 2-6 hours.
If you choose for the non-washable core, you should ensure that the cover will completely protect the core from dust and bed bugs.
Innerspring
These mattresses have steel coils covered by a layer of foam, fabric, and padding. These types of mattresses are of better quality and are, in turn, more durable. The downside is that they are expensive and are also heavier. This means that you will need a lot of energy, just turning this mattress to fit or remove sheets.
The best innerspring mattresses have about 135 – 150 coils, while the steel gauge should be 15.5 or less.
Organic mattresses
There are several organic mattresses in the market, which are either Foam or innerspring. They use natural materials such as food-grade polymers, wool, organic cotton, cotton fibers, and natural latex.
Most natural materials are pure hence high quality. This means that there are no additional chemicals hence safe for your baby’s skin and health. Due to their quality, they are expensive therefore are not that popular for parents on a budget. However, natural materials are best, especially for kids with allergies.
Before buying, you should always check if the material is certified organic.
Cover
This is just as important as the core, as it will be In direct contact with your baby. The best covers are breathable to ensure that your baby stays safe in case he/she turns to sleep on her belly. Breathable covers also make the sleeping surface cool for extra comfort during sleep time.
They are often waterproof or have a waterproof backing to protect the foam from getting wet.