Baby-centric shopping lists seemingly never end—there are so many things to buy!—but finding the best crib mattress can be one of the more stressful tasks. It’s not only a question of preference, but it’s a decision that requires research into safety. Not to mention you’re doing all of this for a human who can’t yet voice their own opinions or pain points.
This is a long-winded way of saying, “we get it and we want to help.” To help take some of the research off your plate, we dug into scientific studies that break down the most important factors for crib mattresses. In particular, we spoke with Dr. Wendy Hunter, a pediatrician and the host of The Pediatrician Next Door podcast for her tips and recommendations.
Things to Consider Before Buying
There are a few things that can add peace of mind when it comes to safe baby sleep for your little one. Buying a crib mattress is not just deciding what type of mattress you want. “The two most important factors in choosing a crib mattress are that it’s waterproof and provides a firm, flat surface,” Dr. Hunter says. “A mattress that is too soft or borrowing an old mattress that has started to sag can be unsafe for a baby.” We looked for expert opinions on how to pick the right mattress size, material, and firmness to help you find the best baby crib mattress.
Size
Babies are constantly growing, and it can be easy to assume buying bigger will save you money in the long run. And there are mattresses out there that offer a bit of versatility when it comes to fitting your growing kid. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission requires all full-size crib mattress dimensions to measure at least 27 1/4 inches wide by 51 1/4 inches long, and the thickness should not exceed six inches. It might be tempting to add a mattress cover for extra cushion, but make sure and follow the six-inch rule to avoid the added risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation. Mattresses of this size fit most standard-size cribs.
One other factor? Convenience. “Lightweight mattresses will be easier to pull out of the crib and clean, so check the weight of any mattress you are considering,” Dr. Hunter says. “I’d recommend buying one as close to 10 pounds as possible.”
Material
Crib mattress materials vary just as much as any other mattress. “The other thing to consider is that there is emerging research that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in synthetic foam mattresses are released from crib mattresses and can cause airway irritation in babies,” Dr. Hunter explains. “It’s not proven, but there is some evidence or concern that this may be one of the causes of SIDS or crib deaths. These chemicals increase in the environment when the mattress gets warmer while the child is sleeping on it.”
In 2020, the Ecology Center teamed up with the “Getting Ready for Baby” campaign to highlight the many materials crib mattresses are made of. Titled “The Mattress Still Matters,” the study surveyed 190 models of crib mattresses spanning 28 manufacturers to analyze what they’re made of—and how willing the manufacturers were to disclose such information.
