Crib Mattress Buyer's Guide

Buying a crib mattress is easy, but there are a few things you should be on the lookout for. Not all crib mattresses are made well, and you will want to find one that keeps your baby as comfortable and safe as possible. Babies are very fragile and sensitive to their surroundings, and the type of mattress that is beneath them could easily have a profound influence on the way your baby sleeps or reacts to certain situations. In order to ensure the best choice possible, you might want to read through the following guide to buying baby crib mattresses.

What type of crib mattress should I choose?

There are three crib mattress types available on the market. These are memory foam crib mattresses, latex crib mattresses, and innerspring crib mattresses. The one that you ultimately choose will depend on your budget, personal preferences, and recommendations from your baby's doctor. Here is some information on what to expect from each of the three materials.

1. Memory foam crib mattresses

Memory foam is soft and supportive, with a surface that contours according to the shape of your body and sinks in with his/her weight. Because babies are very light, they can probably get as much support as they will need from memory foam featuring a low density. In general, the higher a memory foam mattresses’ density, the more firm it will be, but a low density memory foam crib mattress will be both soft and supportive for babies and toddlers.

2. Latex crib mattresses

Latex is available as one of two varieties: synthetic latex and natural (organic) latex. Synthetic types of latex can be made through the use of petrochemicals, so if you are concerned about this, consider using 100% natural latex. Natural latex is elastic and bouncy, providing plenty of firm support and also softness. It is not as soft as memory foam, but is still a reasonable and better-priced alternative.

3. Innerspring crib mattresses

These are the most commonly purchased type of crib mattresses. Their interior is fashioned with a spring system that provides support, firmness, and bounciness. The average baby will have no problem sleeping well on a conventional innerspring mattress, but if you are the sort of parent who wants to ensure a maximal level of softness, you might want to consider memory foam or organic latex. A final option would be to choose regular foam, which is that soft yellow foam used in cheaper mattresses.

What if I am on a tight budget?

Bringing a new baby into the world means that a lot of new expenses are about to start rolling in. There is no need to spend a lot of money on an extremely luxurious and extravagant crib mattress. Instead, consider choosing something in the medium price range or even lower. You can still find plenty of high quality mattresses that will live up to your high standards if you are willing to search for elusive offers. A good crib mattress can be found for around $100. You can always choose to pay more for one, but it might not be a good idea to drop too far below the $100 price tag, as you might encounter drastic compromises in quality.

What about size?

When it comes to crib mattress size, you might be relieved to know that there is a basic universal standard that applies to almost all cribs. Still, you should always compare the size of the mattress you are interested in purchasing to the size of your crib. There might be very small differences in the total measurements that could keep your mattress from making a perfect fit.

Anything else I should know?

Yes. Babies do not need very soft surfaces in order to get the comfort they want. Your baby could easily sleep well on a regular innerspring mattress with a sturdy support, and this might actually be a good idea. If the baby sinks too deep into the material, he/she might have trouble changing positions. A firm baby crib mattress is your best bet, so keep this in mind when shopping and you will soon find a mattress that is just right for that little baby of yours.