Mattress Info

How Important is the crib mattress?

Parents-to-be have been known to spend months deciding on the styles of crib and bedding they want, and then purchasing the crib mattress as an afterthought. The crib mattress is actually a more important purchase since it is one of three major product purchases that are specifically for the benefit of the child and not just for the convenience of the parents. An infant will spend up to 70% of their time on the crib mattress and a toddler can spend up to 50% of their time on the crib mattress. This coupled with the fact that the child will spend the first three to five years of their lives sleeping and playing on this mattress are the best reasons to buy a quality crib mattress.

Which is better: Foam or Innerspring?

The two major styles of crib mattresses are foam and innerspring. Which is better? Today, the answer to this question is not a definitive one. Scientific advances in the making of foam have caused the quality of foam mattresses to improve dramatically. A better quality foam mattress today is about the same quality as a better quality innerspring mattress. The costs are also very comparable. One thing is definitive in the choice of a crib mattress: a better quality foam mattress is better than a poorer quality innerspring mattress, and a better quality innerspring mattress is better than a poorer quality foam mattress. On the top 5 list from a leading consumer magazine, the number one mattress was made from foam, and 2 through 5 were innerspring.

How can you tell a better quality foam mattress from a poorer one?

The three things to look for when looking for a better quality foam mattress are:

1. Total weight of the mattress (also referred to as density) - generally, the heavier the mattress the better the mattress.
2. Firmness - most medical experts recommend that you put a baby on as firm a mattress as you, the parent, feel comfortable putting them on.
3. The reputation of the manufacturer of the mattress (and not just the name on the mattress label - more on this later).

How can you tell a better quality innerspring mattress from a poorer one?

An innerspring mattress is more complicated internally than a foam mattress, but like the foam mattress, there are several major things to look for when purchasing a better quality innerspring crib mattress:

1. The total number of layers in the mattress - generally the more layers the better.
2. The quality of each of the layers inside the mattress - this is the most complicated and important.
3. The reputation of the actual mattress manufacturer (and not just the name on the label).
4. The reputation and quality of the retailer from whom you are thinking of buying the mattress.

What are the layers in an innerspring crib mattress and which are better?

The layers in an innerspring crib mattress are:

1. The innerspring unit. It is not just the number of coils that is important, but it is also the amount of steel. Buy a mattress with the thickest and most number of coils, but even more important is to buy a mattress with an innerspring unit that has a border rod that adds firmness and extra edge support.
2. The insulator. This is the layer that prevents the soft cushioning layers from sinking into the coils. The best insulator is a coir fiber pad made from coconut shells. This is far superior to a fiber pad or cloth pad, especially over long term use. Also, some mattresses offer two insulators. Besides the coir fiber pad, some better quality mattresses offer a permanent insulator that reduces the gap between the coils.
3. Cushioning layers. These usually consist of one foam layer. Sometimes there are two layers of foam, and some manufacturers offer a layer of foam and a layer of 100% all natural cotton batting.
4. The cover. Triple layer nylon reinforced vinyl is the best.

Are you getting what you think you're getting, and general comments.

The most important things to look for in a crib mattress are found on the inside of the mattress where you can't see them. This is why it is important that you buy from a manufacturer and a retailer with good reputations for quality. For example, most people are unaware of the fact that most crib mattresses with names identical to the names found on national adult mattresses are not made by those same companies that make the adult mattresses. They are usually just names licensed by, or shared with, a crib mattress manufacturer from the adult mattress company so they can take advantage of the nationally known name to increase their sales to the public. A second example is the crib mattress manufacturer that buys their foam on the close-out market. It feels heavy, it feels firm, but it doesn't hold up over time because it is a type of foam that is not designed for mattresses.

One of the biggest advantages to foam is that it weighs less than eight pounds, as compared to an innerspring, for which better quality ones weigh 30 plus pounds because of the thicker gauge coils and extra padding.

There is a trend for mattress manufacturers to use laminated mattress covers that use something other than a nylon reinforcement. Nylon is the best and most expensive reinforcing material and adds to the overall quality of the mattress. Also, there is a trend today towards antibacterial vinyl. This vinyl slows the growth of bacteria but doesn't stop it. Antibacterial is fine, but you can get as good germ protection from a washable, waterproof mattress pad, and you have less chemicals near the skin of your baby.

The mattress is an important part of your child's first two years of growth and development. Spending the most amount of money doesn't necessarily mean you purchased the best mattress, but choosing one which is very supportive, high quality, and meets the needs of the parents and the child should be your goal. There is no substitute for quality.