The Best Baby Mattress Reviews & Buying Guide
Our Top Pick for our Baby Mattress 2019:
My First Mattress Premium Memory Foam
Amazon
There are few activities as fun or intimidating as buying baby products. Unfortunately, one of the most intimidating but most important of these purchases is the crib mattress. It has to be safe, as it’s the one place baby will be unattended for up to 16 hours a day for his first 3 or 4 years, and it also needs to be conducive to healthy sleep with or without snoring. So while choosing a good baby mattress is certainly not as exciting as picking a baby’s going-home outfit, it merits thoughtful research and consideration. But with so many options, where do you start? Here’s a list of four home-run picks to make your life easier.
Let’s Have a Quick Look of Our Top Baby Mattresses:
#1. My First Mattress Baby Mattress Premium Memory Foam
View it on Amazon: -*
*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
When you start your search for the perfect crib mattress, you’ll probably be looking for the best that your budget can afford. Our #1 Gold Pick, “My First Mattress Premium Memory Foam Crib Mattress” has that perfect balance of affordability and quality. It has a medium-range price ($73.99 on Amazon) and more than 300 customers have rated it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. There’s no doubt that this crib mattress is one of the best.
“My First Mattress” has tapped into the popularity of memory foam baby mattresses by creating a memory foam mattress for cribs. Because it’s made of foam, the baby mattress is light-weight (about 11 pounds) and comfortable. It’s also safe for infants. You’ll find when shopping for the best crib mattress that one of the most important considerations is the mattress’s firmness. Firmer baby mattresses are safer for infants, who lack the ability to turn their heads and may suffocate if their faces bury too deeply on a surface. “My First Mattress” is made of extra-firm high-density foam rather than the softer foam used in adult mattresses. You can feel safe letting your baby sleep on this crib mattress, even after he learns to roll onto his stomach.
The flexible polyurethane foam used in “My First Mattress” has the added bonus of being independently tested and certified by CertiPUR-US, which means that it meets standards for chemical emissions and durability. It is also hypoallergenic, mite-proof, antimicrobial and lead-free. And with a 10-year limited warranty, you can be assured you won’t have to be buying a baby mattress again soon. “My First Mattress” transitions well to a toddler bed and is made to last through several children.
“My First Mattress” is attractively packaged in a vacuum-sealed roll (you won’t be lugging a giant box home!). It has a soft, inviting, cream-colored plush velour cover, which is waterproof and easily removable. A waterproof cover is a necessity on any crib mattress, as it discourages mold or bacteria growth and odor retention. You won’t need to purchase an extra crib mattress cover and can simply top the mattress with a fitted sheet. And due to its lightweight, “My First Mattress” is a breeze to change, even during those middle-of-the-night emergencies. Mom or Dad can easily change the sheets without having to ask for an extra pair of hands.
“My First Mattress” meets the standard federally-regulated crib mattress size, 21 1/4 inches by 51 5/8 inches and 5 inches deep, and will fit any standard-sized crib. Be sure that whatever crib mattress you purchase fits snugly into your crib, with no more than two finger widths or 1 1/4 inches between the crib mattress and the frame. This prevents the baby from slipping into a crack and becoming trapped or suffocating.
Customers who have bought “My First Mattress” love that it’s quiet–it’s one of the only baby mattresses that does not have a vinyl cover that might crinkle. It’s also not bouncy, which discourages all of the attendant dangers of jumping in the crib (because babies eventually do learn to bounce!). And many reviewers claim that “My First Mattress” has helped their poor sleepers learn to sleep better than on a traditional baby mattress. Do be aware, however, that “My First Mattress” arrives vacuum packed and needs a few days to expand to its full size.
#2. Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams White Crib Baby Mattress
View it on Amazon: -*
*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
If you’re interested in a similar foam mattress, but hoping to spend a little less money, consider our #2 Silver Pick, the “Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams White Crib Mattress.” Like our Gold Pick, the “Safety 1st” crib mattress is a light-weight foam mattress. It is one of the most popular baby mattresses out there and offers the best bang for your buck. Over two thousand customers rate it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, and it’s at least twenty dollars cheaper than our #1 Pick—it’s $51.99 on Amazon.
Safety 1st is one of the biggest names in baby products, and chances are you’ve already purchased something from them; you can feel secure buying from such a well-known name brand. The “Safety 1st” crib mattress meets all federal flammability and emissions regulations, is BPA-free and has achieved one of the most prestigious certifications by Greenguard Gold.
The “Safety 1st” crib mattress’s high-density thermo-bonded foam core is firm and durable and has been specifically engineered in the U.S. to last through your child’s development into toddlerhood. The crib mattress is easy to change and clean at 7.5 pounds. It has a permanent white vinyl waterproof cover that wipes down with a damp cloth. It’s also stain-resistant and odor-resistant. Note that you’ll have to buy an extra baby mattress pad for comfort and that the mattress measures slightly larger than the standard crib mattress size. It measures 52 1/2 inches by 27 1/2 inches and 5 1/2 inches deep, so it should fit snugly in a standard crib.
Customers appreciate that the “Safety 1st” baby mattress does not crinkle and disturb babies and it does not have a chemical smell when it’s opened for the first time. The only cons to this value baby mattress seem to be that it may need to be rotated from time to time to prevent indentation. Some customers have also noted that the sides of the waterproof cover crack over time.
#3. Dream On Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Baby Mattress
View it on Amazon: -*
*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
If you’re able to spend more money and would like to invest in one of the best-rated eco-friendly baby products available, go with our #3 Bronze Pick, “Sealy’s Soybean Foam-Core Crib Mattress.” Sealy is one of the best-known names in baby mattresses, and they make excellent crib mattresses as well. Sealy won the Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best for Baby in both 2013 and 2014. With the “Sealy Soybean Foam,” you know you’ll be getting a product you can trust. The “Sealy Soybean” is offered for $153.99 on Amazon and over four hundred customers rate it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.
What sets the “Sealy Soybean” apart is all in the name—it is manufactured from soybean oils produced by American farmers. Containing approximately twenty percent soybean foam, this crib mattress naturally reduces the chemicals found in nearly every baby product and uses a renewable resource. (Please note that although it is made from soy, it still does contain polyurethane.) While there are a few 100% naturally-sourced baby mattresses out there, they cost two or three times as much. If you’re an eco-conscious shopper without a celebrity budget, the “Sealy Soybean” may be the perfect choice for you.
The Sealy Soybean Foam is perhaps the most well-engineered crib mattress on our list. It has six layers, including a waterproof cover, a comfort wrap for a little more padding, a high-density firm foam core, and an airflow pocket that eliminates the need for the small side vents on traditional baby mattresses. It is certified by both CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold, so you know that it is one of the safest baby mattresses on the market. And with a lifetime warranty and rating of up to sixty pounds, this crib mattress should hold up well through all of your children.
On the practical side, the “Sealy Soybean” is one of the most light-weight baby mattresses on our list. Because the crib mattress weighs approximately 8 pounds, it is easy for Mom or Dad to change the sheets. It has lock-stitch binding around the edges for added durability during all of those changes and a permanent pearl-embossed waterproof cover, which means it won’t require the purchase of an extra waterproof pad. It’s also stain-resistant and wipes clean with soap and water.
Customers love that the “Sealy Soybean” is comfortable and durable. Few report any sagging, even after children have used the crib mattress for four years. They also appreciate that the bed is not bouncy and the cover is not noisy, so babies sleep without disturbance.
The only downside to the “Sealy Soybean” is its price; it’s at least three times as expensive as our other picks. But for the soy material and quality engineering, it is a value for a “natural” crib mattress.
#4. American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Baby Mattress
View it on Amazon: -*
*Price typically updated every 24 hours. Current price may be different.
Our Budget Pick, the “Dream on Me Spring Crib and Toddler Bed Mattress—Twilight,” is our pick for a basic crib mattress without any bells and whistles. “Dream on Me” is a popular baby product brand and each year they take a large share of the market. Their crib mattress is listed at $39.99 on Amazon, making it the cheapest on our list. Out of nearly five hundred ratings, it receives a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Unlike our other picks, the “Dream on Me” is an innerspring crib mattress with eighty heat-tempered coils for durability and firmness. It also has a 6-gauge steel border to help it keep its shape. The coils are covered by a double-layer hypoallergenic polyurethane foam wrap for comfort. It weighs in at nearly 12 pounds, making it fairly light-weight for an innerspring crib mattress (some exceed 20 pounds).
The “Dream on Me” crib mattress passes all standard safety regulations, including federal flammability standards, and contains no lead or phthalates. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty against all manufacturer defects.
The “Dream on Me” crib mattress has a permanent triple-laminated and waterproof cover that easily wipes clean with soap and water. Although you cannot remove the cover, it is stain resistant and lock-stitched to prevent moisture from penetrating the surface. It has a brown cloud print on one side and plain white on the other.
Some customers complain that the cover is noisy, so be sure to check out the product in-store for yourself before purchasing. It’s also not as firm as other crib mattresses and may be more suitable for toddlers. The “Dream on Me” crib mattress may be the perfect pick for grandparents or other caregivers who don’t need a crib mattress for an extended period of time.
Pre-purchase considerations when buying a good baby mattress
Safety Measures For Baby Mattresses
Now that you’ve got a basic idea of some of the best baby mattresses available, how do you know which one is for you? Let’s look at a few basic considerations that should help you narrow it down.
Perhaps the most important consideration when purchasing a crib mattress is its safety. As we’ve already mentioned, the size and firmness of the crib mattress are essential to preventing SIDS. Test your favorite baby mattresses in the store, if you can, by placing them in sample cribs. Make sure the mattress fits tightly, with no more than two finger widths, or 1 1/4 inches, between the mattress and the crib frame. By law, baby mattresses must be a minimum of 24 1/4 inches by 51 5/8 inches, and no thicker than 6 inches. Also, the mattress should feel firm to you—more firm than you would prefer to sleep on. If the crib mattress is foam, it should not conform to your hand. Check how dense the foam is by comparing the weight of different baby mattresses. Firmer baby mattresses will be denser and thus heavier.
More and more parents are also becoming conscious of the chemicals used in manufacturing baby products. All U.S. baby mattresses must meet federal flammability standards. If you want to buy foam, look for baby mattresses certified by CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold. CertiPUR-US, an organization within the foam industry, labels products with low emissions and that are made without harmful flame retardants and other dangerous chemicals. Greenguard Gold, an independent certifier, has even stricter certification criteria and is widely held to be the best standard for eco-friendly products.
Mattress Type: Foam And Innerspring Mattress
After considering safety, the first real choice you’ll have to make is which type of mattress you want—foam or innerspring mattress. The traditional style of baby mattress, innerspring, is naturally heavier (because it’s made of steel) and firmer than foam. Well-made innerspring baby mattresses will hold up and keep their shape. Make sure the baby mattress has no fewer than 80 coils and has a border rod that helps the edge keep its shape. Also check to see how many layers of cushion lie between the coils and the surface, to keep baby comfortable.
Foam baby mattresses are lighter and the best will be firm, dense, and not conform to the shape of your hand or your baby’s head. Today’s foam baby mattresses are just as likely to hold their shape over time as their innerspring mattress counterparts. Foam mattresses have been known to keep sleepers warm, but satisfied customers have found that adding an extra fitted sheet keeps the temperature normal. Be sure to note that foam baby mattresses are typically made (at least in part) from polyurethane. If you’re truly concerned with staying away from chemicals, a foam mattress may not be for you.
Simplicity: Good Mattress Design And Use
Closely tied to the type of baby mattress is how easy the mattress is to use. Foam baby mattresses are usually 5 to 10 pounds lighter than the innerspring mattress and are therefore easier to change and carry around.
You’ll also want to make sure that the baby mattress you choose has a waterproof cover. A waterproof barrier is essential to preventing moisture from passing into the mattress, where bacteria and odor can grow. Some baby mattresses come with a plush, yet waterproof cover that can be removed and put in the washing machine. If you choose a baby mattress with this kind of cover, you may want to buy an extra waterproof baby mattress pad so that you don’t have to remove the entire baby mattress cover when you need to clean the bed. Other baby mattresses come with permanent waterproof vinyl covers that easily wipe clean with soap and water. These baby mattresses require an extra mattress pad, mainly for comfort.
Before you buy, find out how quiet and sturdy the baby mattress cover is—in-store if possible or by checking online reviews. The best vinyl covers are made up of several thick layers that do not rustle or crinkle when the sleeper moves. If your baby is disturbed by noise during sleep, the baby mattress will do you no good. Also, make sure the cover is not thin enough to crack and lose its waterproof barrier and that it has vents along the side to let moisture and odors escape.
Cost: Money-Saver Baby Mattresses
If you’ve made it through the other considerations—safety, type of good mattress, and ease of use—your decision likely comes down to cost. It may seem obvious, but do not buy a second-hand baby mattress, even though you may be able to save money. You’ll have no way of knowing how well the baby mattress has been cared for, or if it has bacteria or odors. Other than that, remember that you generally get what you pay for.
The cheapest of baby mattresses likely have covers that tear easily, while the more expensive baby mattresses have more durable outer layers and a firmer core. You should be able to find a quality baby mattress for under $200. For anything over that, you are probably paying for all-natural or all-organic materials. If you are hoping to have a baby mattress that lasts through several children, look to pay a little more for long-lasting quality.
Conclusion (Wrapping it up)
By now, you have a good idea of what you should be looking for in a crib mattress. Make firmness and safety your first priority. Then consider durability and also if it’s important to you, the cost and ease of use. Scroll back through and determine if one of our four picks is right for you. Hopefully, we’ve taken a lot of the stress out of this big decision to find a good mattress for your baby.