When getting crib mattresses, there are many more things you need to look for than when you are getting a mattress for yourself. But, the question is – are you looking into all the important things? Here’s a buying guide for crib mattresses that you can use.

Buying crib mattresses does require you to be quite discerning. After all, a very delicate and precious person is going to spend a major portion of the day using the mattress. Here are some of the important points that you need to look for.

Crib Mattresses – Getting the right size

One of the best things about crib mattresses nowadays is that they are making them in standard sizes. The size recommended by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is 51-5/8" by 27-1/4". Of course this is the size you must take, but then you must also see how this size fits within the crib. If it is too small, then there could be accidents, like the baby’s hands, legs or even head could be trapped within the recess. In order to check out whether the size is perfect or not, try to insert your fingers in the gap between the mattress and the crib. You should not be able to fit more than two fingers side by side.

Do not get a mattress that is larger than the crib! Seems to be commonsense, but there are many of us who buy the crib first, install it at home, and then go mattress shopping. If you are doing this, you will need to take proper measurements of your crib surface. Remember to take the inside crib measurements, because the railings can occupy a couple of inches on either side.

Crib Mattresses – Getting the right surface

Most crib mattresses are provided with a single layered vinyl covering surface. But these are certainly not adequate protection for your baby. For good protection, you must look out for double layered, or even triple layered vinyl coating surfaces. It is best to have nylon reinforcement within the layers too. If there is nylon within (not polyester), then the mattress surface will definitely last longer, as nylon can give it the right kind of stretch and flexibility.

Also, nylon will protect the mattress from any kind of diaper accidents and pukes. Some of the better crib mattresses also have antimicrobial and anti-allergenic covers, which you can think of investing in. Another interesting thing to decide on is the all-organic covers, especially if you are not too much fond of synthetic materials.

Crib Mattresses – Getting the right type

There are two types of crib mattresses that are very popular in the stores nowadays – the foam mattresses and the coil or the innerspring mattresses. The foam mattresses have always been popular, but if you are selecting them, you need to make sure that there is enough foam density to provide rigidity to the mattress. The foam should not be too soft, because then the baby will find it difficult to lift their heads and turn. A firm foam mattress is advisable. For checking out the foam density, you can try punching at the mattress, or lifting it to check its weight. A heavier mattress will definitely have more foam stuffed into it.

The innerspring mattresses are good, but you must make sure there are enough coils within for being firm enough for the baby. At least 150 coils are advisable.

If you are stuck at deciding between innerspring mattresses and foam mattresses, the advice is that both of them are good enough for the baby, provided they provide the right kind of firmness. Most innerspring mattress sellers are now telling about the great benefits of innerspring mattresses in comparison to the foam mattresses, but we must remember that generations of babies have slept on foam mattresses, and those babies weren’t particularly unhealthy! Whether foam or innerspring, it’s your choice of preference.

Crib Mattresses – Getting the right designs and colors

Baby crib mattresses are available in a very large range of colors and patterns nowadays, and you will be actually confounded for making the right choice. But you must keep in mind that babies love colors more than patterns. Get bright colored mattresses for them, and avoid whites because they get spoiled easily and retain the stains forever. You do not want to throw out the mattress just after one diaper accident.

Also, you must take time out to select proper designs and colors to suit your room dcor. Baby cribs always look cute, but they can become the highlight of the room with the right choice.

Just reach right up through the crib mattress

Just reach right up through the crib mattress (like the superhero you know you are). I just saw these hints in an article on helping babies sleep. 

Choosing Your Crib Mattress

It is never easy to get the perfect baby mattress for our loved one. It’s a problem to find the right solution among so many different models that are out there.

Convertible Sleigh Crib

Find the best deals on mattress and adjustable bed! 

Naturpedic Organic Crib Mattress

I never even thought about it until I had to go buy a crib mattress for my newborn baby (not that he actually slept in it much).

Baby Natura Kindersoft Crib Mattress Pad 

Best of all, the Cry Less Wool inside the mattress pad is fully washable, making it a naturally convenient choice for protecting your crib mattress. 

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