Your baby will spend most of his/her time on the crib for the first few months. You might find it hard to believe, but infants actually spend around 18 hours of their day sleeping. Therefore, it’s only important to pick the right crib mattress for your little one. That said, choosing the right crib mattress might seem boring, but it actually requires careful consideration. After all, it plays the same important role as the crib, so it’s only essential to find the best one you can get.
Without further ado, here are what you want to consider when picking a crib mattress for your baby:
Pick the Right Size
You want to make sure that the mattress you choose is a good fit for your baby’s crib. As a rule of thumb, you want to keep the space between the frame of your baby’s crib and the size of the mattress to fit only two fingers at most. This means that you don’t want to pick a crib mattress smaller than that, as a larger space could potentially trap your baby in that space, resulting in possible injury.
Though most baby cribs use standard-sized mattresses, the sizes can vary depending on your crib. Therefore, before you buy a mattress, make sure to get the exact measurements of your baby’s crib first.
Go for a Firm Mattress
Crib mattresses are generally firmer than that of adults as they’re designed to support a baby’s growing bones while he/she sleeps. Therefore, you want to make sure that the crib mattress you choose is firm enough to provide proper support to your baby.
Don’t go for mattresses that are too soft as they can only cause back problems and might even pose a risk of suffocation for infants. Moreover, don’t go for mattresses that are too firm either as it can only make it uncomfortable for your baby.
To check if a crib mattress has the right firmness, simply pressure your hands in the middle of a mattress’ opposite sides. If you feel the right amount of resistance, then that would mean that it’s firm enough for your little one.
Always Look for a Quality Product
Regardless of which crib mattress you choose, you should always look for a quality one. Though cheaper foam and innerspring mattresses can help you save money, you’ll soon find out that they’re prone to tears and cracks over time. Aside from that, you’ll also be putting your baby’s safety at risk.
However, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune on your baby’s crib mattress either. You can find crib mattresses out there on the market for around $90-200 which will generally provide your baby with the comfort and support he/she needs. Of course, if you can afford to spend more, then you want to go for higher-priced models as they tend to be firmer and safer.
Choose a Mattress with an Independent Certification
Crib mattresses in the US should undergo testing and must meet certain safety standards by the American Society for Testing and Materials before they become available in the market. However, if you plan to spend more on a crib mattress, then going for one that has independent certification is a must.
This is because all organic mattresses have been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standards. Though this could mean that they have met all the safety standards, some manufacturers that place an organic certification label on their products might not always mean that those products are 100% organic.
Therefore, you’re better off looking for 100% organic mattresses that have been certified by independent groups like the Environmental Working Group. This way, you can ensure that the mattress you’re planning to buy is completely organic without any synthetic materials included.
Don’t Go for Second-hand Products
As much as possible, always buy a new crib mattress. Second-hand products might have hidden mold and bacteria in there that can only cause problems to your little one. A new product, on the other hand, ensures that it’s completely sanitary and doesn’t have any underlying issues in it.
Just keep in mind that there’s a possibility of mold growth in a second-hand mattress, and if you go this route, you’ll only be putting your baby’s health and safety at risk.
Wrapping Things Up
Going for an expensive crib mattress doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the best possible mattress for your little one. You should always keep in mind that there are lots of more affordable mattresses out there that can provide your baby with the comfort, support, and safety he/she needs as he/she grows. Don’t forget to check out the deals section to get the best price.
Just make sure to consider the above mentioned things before you go shopping for a crib mattress. Remember that your baby will be using it for a long time, so you have to make sure that the product you buy can serve him/her well.
