by April Sanders
You've measured the crib and determined your budget. Now it's time to purchase a baby mattress. While it might be tempting to rush out and grab the first cute baby mattress you see, hold back and think carefully: Your baby's health and comfort depend on it. Take the time to compare different mattresses and choose the one that is the safest and healthiest for your baby's crib. Look below to learn how to compare baby mattresses.
Compare the size of baby mattresses. Even a half an inch can be the difference between a close-fitting mattress and a mattress that is too loose. Babies can get caught in the gap between a too-small mattress and the crib slats. Choose a mattress that matches your crib's measurements as closely as possible. Most cribs measure 51 5/8 inches long and 27 1/4 inches wide, but you can use a tape measure to check yours. Measure from slat to slat. Once you have a mattress in the crib, use your fingers to test for a snug fit. You should not be able insert two fingers comfortably between the crib slats and the mattress.
Compare the materials. While crib mattresses may be similar in price, they may be very different in materials. Many crib mattresses are covered with vinyl, which allows them to be resistant to moisture. Vinyl, however, contains chemical plasticizers, which have not yet been proven to be safe for babies. Mattresses covered with polyethylene, which is nontoxic, are a safer choice.
Compare the filling of the mattresses. Some baby mattresses are filled with polyurethane foam, which has been treated with chemicals to make it fire-resistant. These tend to have a strong smell. Others are filled with cotton, sometimes organic cotton. Some crib mattresses have coils.
Check the seams. Compare the quality of the seams on the baby mattresses as well as the mattress covers, if any. Some mattresses may have stitching that unravels easily. Compare the mattress covers, too. Many baby mattresses have covers or are sealed in an extra layer of material to protect the baby against possible allergens in the filling.
Look for the seal of quality. Check to see which mattress, if any, has the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal of quality. This seal indicates that the baby mattress has passed the JPMA's rigorous safety guidelines.
