Newborn babies sleep for 17 to 20 hours a day. Thus, where they sleep is as essential as their other basic needs.
Parents must pick the right crib mattress to give babies the ideal sleeping environment. It is as important, if not more, as choosing the crib itself, the Verywell Family stated.
"Your baby is going to spend a lot of time on their crib mattress...You want this to be a place that supports sound sleep and is safe for them," declares Elizabeth King, mother of three and CEO and founder of Sleep Baby Consulting, an organization made up of professional sleep consultants that wants nothing but to provide babies and their families the experience of a good night's sleep.
How To Choose the Right Crib Mattress?
The parenting resource outlet talked to various sleep experts and was able to create a list of what to look for in buying the right crib mattress.
1. Safety
The first priority is always safety. It is crucial for parents to ensure that the crib mattress they are eyeing meets the safety standards of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which highly recommends a "firm mattress that fits snugly in your crib."
The CPSC approved new federal safety standards in 2022 for all crib mattresses sold in the country, addressing potential dangers such as lacerations, suffocation, and entrapment.
2. Firmness
Most parents are concerned that their babies' mattresses are "too firm." Certified pediatric sleep consultant for Taking Cara Babies and neonatal nurse Cara Dumaplin tells parents they are not alone.
"They worry that mattresses seem too firm for a baby to sleep well. I understand this concern, but what we know is that a firm, flat surface is necessary for sleep safety. Great sleep is less about the comfort of a crib mattress and more about laying a healthy sleep foundation," she quips.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that a firm crib mattress should be a hard surface, something that does not create a dent when the newborn lies on it.
3. Fit
The CPSC released that the standard size of a properly fitting crib mattress is at least 27.25 inches by 51 .25 inches, with six inches or below thickness. This standard size ensures protection for the baby from the possibility of being entrapped between the crib and the mattress and eventually suffocating.
Dumaplin added that a gap of fewer than two fingers between the side of the crib and the mattress is essential. Thus, she recommends that it is much safer to use the mattress that comes with the bassinet, play yard, or portable crib the family is using.
4. Added safety features
With safety as the number one priority in looking for the right crib mattress, brands have added safety features that can be overwhelming for parents.
What parents need to really consider is finding a mattress that is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means that the product "has gone through the most rigorous testing and adheres to the highest standard for a healthy indoor environment for children," as King explained.
More than that, Greenguard Gold Certified means that the mattress has "little to no toxic chemical emissions."
Bestsellers in Crib Mattresses
Here are the current top five crib mattresses, according to Amazon
1. Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress
This mattress is Greenguard Gold Certified as well as CertiPUR-US Certified Foam, which means that its foam met US standards for content, emissions and durability, and has been analyzed by accredited and independent testing laboratories. It is also machine washable, water-resistant and has a removable cover.
2. Hygge Hush Pack n Play Mattresses
This mattress promises safety with an ultra-soft jacquard cover that is waterproof, leak-free and hypoallergenic. It features lock-stitched binding that resists liquids and stains. Further, its memory foam mattress helps the baby to sleep better.
3. Dream On Me Honeycomb Orthopedic Firm Fiber Standard Baby Crib Mattress
Aside from being Greenguard Gold Certified, this mattress boasts of providing firm support for a growing child with its five inches fiber core, which gives both infants and toddlers optimum foundation.
4. Dream On Me Baby Fairy 5" Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress in a Box
This mattress comes in the recommended firmness for babies and is made of quality, fireproof fiber. It is also both Greenguard Gold Certified and JPMA-certified, which means that it has met the highest quality standards in terms of safety, performance and functionality.
5. Newton Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed
This product takes pride in its 100 percent breathable design so that babies can "breathe right through it." It is also non-toxic, better than organic, and 100 percent washable.
Related article: How to Keep a Safe Sleeping Space for Your Baby
