Jun 23, 2023
Are Crib Mattresses All the Same Size?
Picking out a quality crib mattress for your baby can be an important decision, involving considerations such as size, firmness, materials and so on.
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There is a wide selection of organic and natural options, as well as those certified with GREENGUARD or GOTS certification available today. We consulted experts to learn what they recommended when looking for these items:
Size
Size should always be taken into consideration when searching for a crib mattress, to ensure it will fit securely in the crib and prevent gaps between it and its walls, which could pose a suffocation hazard for your little one.
Many parents opt for a standard crib mattress of 28 inches wide by 52 inches long for most cribs, however when their child is ready to transition into a toddler bed they can switch over to a twin-size mattress (38 inches wide by 75 inches long).
Some mattresses are advertised as 2-Stage, meaning they can be switched between infant and toddler stages as needed; one side should provide extra firm support while the other softens with age and growth spurts. You may also hear of "coil count" or steel gauge being mentioned – this refers to how many steel coils exist within a mattress; higher coil counts mean greater levels of support.
Firmness
When selecting a crib mattress, it's essential to remember that infants require a firm sleeping surface. Soft mattresses may cause suffocation or hinder their ability to stand up independently, increasing the risk of accidental falls.
An effective test to make sure the mattress fits securely within its crib is to use more than two fingers to check between its sides and mattress, this ensures it fits snuggly without gaps where children could become stuck.
Key factors when purchasing a crib mattress include material and size considerations. Foam and innerspring mattresses tend to be more durable than cotton or latex ones. Furthermore, new purchases should always be preferred over secondhand; second-hand crib mattresses could contain mold, bacteria or chemicals which could compromise your baby's health, plus some may not meet mandatory flammability standards – look for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification as it verifies certain flame retardants and heavy metals aren't used in them.
Materials
Selecting a mattress for your baby's crib might seem like an afterthought, but it should not be overlooked as one of the most vital purchases you will make for their safety and well-being. A quality crib mattress ensures their wellbeing!
In recent incidents, gaps between crib mattresses and their respective railings or mesh play yard mesh have presented a wedge or entrapment hazard. ASTM F2933-21 offers requirements to effectively address this risk through fitted sheet compression testing and dimension conformity requirements.
Crib mattresses often made with vinyl can contain phthalates, a group of plasticizers linked to early puberty in girls and lower reproductive health in boys. If you want to limit your child's exposure, natural latex or organic cotton-based crib mattresses might be better options, with some offering both firm infant side use through baby's first birthday before switching over to soft toddler side playback for the remainder of their years of playback.
Warranty
A quality crib mattress should have a firm structure to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the leading cause of infant death before one year. Gaps between baby and sleep product sides can increase suffocation risks.
Mattresses made of organic cotton, wool or other breathable materials such as latex are great ways to keep your baby cool. Furthermore, hypoallergenic or antimicrobial features may also help decrease pathogen build-up such as bacteria, mold and mildew growth on their surface.
Many mattress manufacturers provide warranties, with some meeting JPMA or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) certification standards, which go above and beyond federal safety regulations. You may also see mattresses labelled CPSC certified which adhere to more stringent criteria.
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