Ultimate Crib Mattress Buying Guide

Looking for the best crib mattress for your little one? Start here.

Child Craft is here to help you understand what matters most about crib mattresses. You’ve likely heard that your crib mattress choice is just as important as your crib – and it’s true! While kids snooze peacefully, their brains and bodies are busy restoring physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and conserving energy – that is why a safe, durable, and comfortable crib mattress is vital. This guide is your roadmap to a successful crib mattress shopping journey.

• Crib Mattresses 101
• Why Firmness Matters
• Safety Must-Have’s
• Size & Fit
• Convenience & Comfort
• Cost Considerations
• Additional Resources

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Buying a Baby Crib

Crib Mattresses 101

Frequent questions and answers to help you easily navigate finding the right crib mattress for you.

+ Is breathability important?
Crib mattresses should have a certain level of breathability to help your child regulate body temperature for safe sleep. Most foam crib mattresses are made of open cell foam to help circulate air, while innerspring crib mattresses support breathability due to the space between the coils.

+ What is CertiPUR-US®?
This independent 3^rd party certification is a must-have. CertiPUR-US is awarded based on crib mattress foam quality and ensures the foam has no ozone depleters, mercury, lead, phthalates, formaldehyde or hazardous flame retardants. All Child Craft Baby Mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified.

+ What should I know about coil count and steel gauge?
Innerspring crib mattresses have coils to help ensure proper firmness. A coil count between 100-110 coils is a good range to shoot for. Steel gauge refers to coil thickness-- lower numbers show thicker steel. The lowest gauge is 12.5, and 19 is the highest. The Night Night Baby Lullaby has 100 coils made of tempered 12.5-gauge steel.

+ Do crib mattresses need a cover?
Yes, the cover encases and protects the crib mattresses. They’re often made of vinyl or cotton knit. Look for waterproof, tear-resistant covers that are hypoallergenic.

+ What is a dual-sided crib mattress?
Many crib mattresses have 2 sides, which is a nice feature that will set you up through toddlerhood. The infant side is extra-firm, and the toddler side is cushion firm. The Night Night Baby Dreamer and Lullaby mattresses are both dual-sided.

+ Are flame retardants harmful?
Flame retardants are risky, as they are proven to be toxic and have harmful effects on health. Make sure to select a crib mattress without flame retardants. Child Craft crib mattresses have a natural flame barrier that exceeds federal flammability standards.

+ How firm should a crib mattress be?
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Products Regulatory Commission (CPSC) recommend a higher level of firmness for crib mattresses. Infants and toddlers need a firmer mattress than adults do for safety and proper support.

+ How tight should a crib mattress fit my crib?
A crib mattress should fit securely in the crib, as any gaps can be hazardous to your baby. Child Craft crib mattresses fit safe and snug in standard-size American baby cribs and toddler beds.

+ Are crib mattresses made of foam?
Many crib mattresses are foam only, like the Night Night Baby Slumber and Dream Catcher. Foam is more lightweight, and you should look for a thickness of at least 4 inches for comfort. Make sure your crib mattress is CertiPUR-US Certified, which tells you that the foam is free of any harmful chemicals.

+ Does GREENGUARD® Gold Certification matter?
It’s the gold standard for low chemical emissions and VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) exposure. The GREENGUARD Gold Certification screens for more than 10,000 harmful chemicals, with even stricter testing for children’s products. All Night Night Baby Mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold Certified.

+ Are innerspring crib mattresses better than foam mattresses?
An innerspring crib mattress has steel gauge coils and border rods for edge support. The thicker the steel, the higher the weight. Innerspring mattresses tend to be more supportive, comfortable, and durable, while foam mattresses tend to be softer, more resilient, and have higher density.

+ What is an insulator?
An insulator wraps around the steel frame of an innerspring mattress. The Night Night Baby Lullaby crib mattress has a hard felt insulator to cut the “coil” feel and add comfort.

+ Is memory foam safe for my baby?
Memory foam is dense, durable, soft, and helps evenly distribute weight. It’s not safe for infants because it’s too soft, but it’s safe for toddlers who need more cushion and comfort. The Night Night Baby Lullaby crib mattress has memory foam on the toddler side.

+ What is safe sleep?
Safe sleep practices are critical because they can keep your baby out of harm’s way. Pediatric-recommended practices include:

• Place babies on their backs for naps and sleep.
• Eliminate anything loose or soft from your baby crib.
• Make sure you have an extra-firm crib mattress.
• Monitor air flow and temperature to keep your child from overheating during sleep.
• See Additional Resources for more information on safe sleep.

+ What is a VOC?
A VOC is a Volatile Organic Compound emitted as a gas, proven to have adverse effects on health and commonly used in many crib mattresses. Protect against VOCs by buying a crib mattress that is GREENGUARD Gold and/or CertiPUR-US certified, such as the Night Night Baby and Dream Catcher crib mattresses.

+ Is a waterproof crib mattress safe?
A waterproof crib mattress is safe and easy to keep clean. This is an important feature, especially for small children. Child Craft crib mattresses are waterproof, can be cleaned with mild soap and water, and are certified safe and free of toxins.

Why Firmness Matters

• Babies and toddlers need a much firmer mattress than adults do for skeletal support and resistance.
• A small child can sink into a mattress if it’s too soft, which poses dangerous health risks.
• What’s comfortable for you is too soft for your baby. If your crib mattress conforms to the shape of your child’s head, it’s not firm enough.
• While toddlers need extra firmness, their growing bodies also need added softness and comfort. Look for dual-sided crib mattresses like the Night Night Baby Dreamer and Lullaby to accommodate your child through their younger years.

Safety Must-Have’s

Safe sleep is priority one. Make sure your crib mattress:

• Is GREENGUARD Gold and/or CertiPUR-US certified safe and free of toxic chemicals
• Has the proper firmness level
• Fits snug and secure inside your baby’s crib
• Has a natural flame barrier

Size & Fit

Baby crib mattresses come in 2 sizes: mini-crib (24 W x 38 L) and standard (28 W x 52.375 L). This standard size is government regulated, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires all standard crib mattresses be within about 5/8-inch of that size. Child Craft Baby crib mattresses are standard size.

Convenience & Comfort

• You’ll be lifting your crib mattress at least a few times a week for sheet changes, so the weight of your mattress will be considerable. Foam crib mattresses like the Dream Catcher and Night Night Baby Slumber are lighter weight.
• Waterproof crib mattresses clean up quickly and easily. All Child Craft crib mattresses are waterproof.
• Comfort isn’t compromised by extra firmness. To ensure more comfort, look for a foam crib mattress at least 4.5 inches thick, or an innerspring crib mattress with a 100+ coil count, lower steel gauge, and cushioning layers.

Cost Considerations

You can find a high-quality crib mattress for $90-$200, and Innerspring crib mattresses tend to cost more. If you’re on a tight budget, the Night Night Baby Slumber or Dream Catcher foam crib mattress is an excellent choice with all the right features for a safe and comfortable sleep environment.

Additional Resources

Check out these websites to learn more about crib mattresses.

GREENGUARD Gold Certification
CertiPUR-US Certification
American Academy of Pediatrics
JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association)
CPSC (Consumer Products Regulatory Commission)
CDC Safe Sleep
Healthy Children
Safe to Sleep (National Institute of Health)
Sleep Foundation

You got this!

Shopping for crib mattresses doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’re here to make your choice easier, so you stress less and keep your eye on the prize--welcoming your little peapod. Sweet dreams!