Best Crib Mattresses
Looking for the best crib mattress? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got the very best options on the market for your little bundle of joy. Shop without worry knowing we’ve hand-picked the best mattresses made of quality, non-toxic materials and are designed for safety, cleanliness, and comfort.
We will review your options for best crib mattresses and what you should look for when shopping for infant innerspring or foam mattresses. Looking for dual firmness crib mattresses so you can make a selection that will grow with your baby? We’ve got you covered! Finally, we understand messes and accidents with babies are inevitable. That’s why we’ll review the best way to clean and maintain your mattress. After this article, you will be ready to purchase a high-quality, safe crib mattress so your precious little one will be resting safely and soundly at night.
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The Best Crib Mattresses of 2024
- Organic Dream Organic Cotton Lightweight 2-Stage Crib Mattress – Editor’s Choice
- Naturepedic Ultra Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress – Best Organic
- Simmons Kids Beautyrest Beginnings Mattress – Best Infant Crib Mattress
- Newton Wovenaire Baby Crib Mattress – Best Breathable
- Nook Sleep Pebble Air Crib Mattress – Best Air Mattress
- Moonlight Slumber’s Little Dreamer Dual-Sided Mattress – Best dual-sided
- Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress – Best non-toxic
Organic Dream Organic Cotton Lightweight 2-Stage Crib Mattress
Editor’s Choice
When it comes to your baby’s sleep, you want to make sure you’re providing them with a safe, healthy and comfortable sleeping surface at a reasonable price point. The Organic Dream Organic Cotton Lightweight 2-Stage crib mattress checks all of these boxes and then some – making it our top choice for the best crib mattresses. For starters, Organic Dream is the only #1 pediatrician recommended crib mattress. Its organic surface and breathable design provide a safe place for your baby to rest by reducing the risk of suffocation. It’s also hypoallergenic and meets some of the highest safety standards for materials used. The Organic Cotton 2-Stage crib mattress is lightweight and can be used on both sides – a firmer side for infants and a slightly softer side for toddlers. To top it off, Organic Dream mattresses are manufactured in the US and come with a lifetime warranty, all at a fair price.
Naturepedic Ultra Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress
Best Organic
The Ultra Breathable 2-Stage (dual-sided) crib mattress is crafted with a firm, flat surface with safety in mind. It is made with organic materials and free of harsh flame retardant chemicals. A breathable mattress pad is layered on top to keep your baby cool and dry and reduces the risk of overheating. It provides air circulation without the risks of traditional mattresses to help the baby breathe safely. The Naturepedic’s patented dust mite proof, the waterproof vinyl cover keeps the surface of the mattress protected from potential accidents and messes. Clean up is as easy as 1,2,3, just wipe it down with a sponge and warm water. It is also hypoallergenic, GreenGuard, and GOTS certified.
Simmons Kids Beautyrest Beginnings Mattress
Best Infant Crib Mattress
Unlike some of our other mattresses, the Simmons Kids Beautyrest Beginnings is designed with 231 luxury Pocketed Coil Springs. The coils, reinforced border protection, and Innofoam corner protectors provide even support durability and stability. It is wrapped with a natural cotton protector made with no harsh chemicals and no toxic flame retardants. Finally, the mattress is covered with a medical-grade, woven, waterproof cover. In addition to the added support and durability of the pocket coils, the mattress is also a 2-stage (dual-sided) mattress that provides ideal firmness for infants while the flip side offers added comfort for toddlers and older children.
Newton Wovenaire Baby Crib Mattress
Best Breathable
The Newton Wovenaire crib mattress was designed with infant health, safety, and comfort in mind. It is 100% washable and recyclable. It is also meant to last well into the toddler years thanks to its 2-stage (dual-side) design, which increases its durability. The Newton crib mattress is constructed with a patented Wovenaire® food-grade polymer core underneath a breathe-thru cover which promotes airflow and breathability to keep your baby sleeping cool all night long. The 2-stage design of the Newton Crib Mattress gives it unique longevity through toddler years. It is GreenGuard Gold certified and comes in a mini-crib version as well as a waterproof version. Also, it comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and free returns.
Nook Sleep Pebble Air Crib Mattress
Best Air Mattress
The Nook Sleep Pebble Air mattress is designed with high-quality CertiPUR-US® non-toxic foam that provides a breathable, comfortable sleep surface for your baby. Its cover is made of easy to clean, organic materials, and the mattress is made with Nanosphere water-resistant technology to protect against accidents. The Pebble Air mattress is safe, lightweight, and comes with a choice of 3 machine washable cover options – no mattress pad or crib sheets needed! It is a dual firmness, flippable mattress with a firmer side for infants and a softer toddler side. It comes with free shipping and a 100-night sleep trial.
Moonlight Slumber’s Little Dreamer Dual-Sided Mattress
Best Dual-Sided
The Little Dreamer mattress by Moonlight Slumber for baby cribs is designed with a 2-stage, dual-side system— an extra-firm, infant side and softer toddler side, which are both crafted with polyurethane foam and infused with plant oils. The entire mattress is wrapped in a woven fire barrier, made without toxic flame retardants, and encased in a medical grade, stain-resistant, waterproof cover. The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer mattress is affordable, antimicrobial, and comfortable for babies. It is super easy to clean- as easy as wiping it down with a damp sponge and warm water. It is also GreenGuard and CertiPUR-US certified.
Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress
Best Non-toxic
The Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams crib mattress is constructed with a high-density thermo-bonded polyester fiber core for firm support for baby. It is covered with a 100% vinyl laminated surface for easy cleanup. It is free of phthalates and lead, water-resistant, and GreenGuard Gold certified. The Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams mattress meets low emission standards so you sleep soundly knowing your little one is sleeping safely. They’ll also be supported while they sleep thanks to the thermo-bonded core which provides firm support to keep baby safe while they sleep. Finally, this mattress will last for years to grow with your child or be passed down to their sibling’s thanks to the durable, tear-resistant, stain-resistant vinyl cover.Things to Consider When Buying a Crib Mattress
Materials
Most adults, parents, and non-parents alike, desire a quality mattress made with eco-friendly, non-toxic materials, but this is especially imperative for our children. All the mattresses we’ve discussed have gone the extra mile to receive safety certifications and organic material verifications. Without third-party certifications, you run the risk of purchasing a mattress made with harsh chemicals and flame-retardants. Even if it looks safe and is sold in baby stores doesn’t mean it is. There are several certifications you can look for to ensure the mattress you are considering is free of harmful chemicals. Two popular mattress certifications are CertiPUR foams and the GREENGUARD Gold Certified label.
See: Toxic Mattress Chemicals Guide
Also, it is worth noting that you should check for materials known to resist dust mites that commonly live in mattresses. Dust mites are a common source of allergens and babies are particularly sensitive to them. Natural materials such as wool and latex provide a less hospitable home for dust mites but ultimately do not make a mattress dust-mite proof. As a result, you might consider using a mattress protector or purchasing a waterproof crib mattress, as they will naturally provide an additional external dust mite barrier that prevents dust mites and other microbes from penetrating the mattress.
Firmness
Firmness is a non-negotiable where infants are concerned. Finding an extra-firm crib mattress that is designed for infants is imperative for the safety of your baby. An extra-firm sleep surface greatly reduces the chance of S.I.D.S occurring (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) which can occur when infants are sleeping on a surface that is too soft.
Additionally, practice caution when placing any additional materials in the crib with your baby. Whether a stuffed animal, crib bumpers, or blankets, it’s important to know that babies can accidentally suffocate on these materials. For optimal safety, place the baby in a full body onesie or tightly wrapped swaddle while in the crib and leave everything else for playtime.
Size
Standard crib mattress size is 27 1/4” x 51 5/8” and no thicker than 6 inches. Mattress companies are aware of this and observe these requirements when constructing these mattresses. Mini crib mattress, by contract, are 24-inches wide and 38-inches long.
Is your little one outgrowing their crib? Check out our top picks for the best toddler beds and best kids’ mattresses.
Types of Mattresses For Cribs
Now that you know what to look for in a crib mattress, there are a few more steps to ensuring you get a safe and comfortable mattress for your baby.
- Innerspring Crib Mattresses
- Foam or Memory Foam Crib Mattresses
- Crib Mattresses with two sides to them. Some are firmer on one side and softer on the other.
Innerspring
Innerspring or coil crib mattresses are designed to be firm and reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation as they do not conform to the baby’s body. Coil crib mattresses can be more expensive than foam but tend to provide greater support.
For parents: the best innerspring mattresses
Foam
Foam crib mattresses are designed to be lightweight and allow for airflow and temperature regulation. They’re best suited for toddlers who no longer require an extra firm mattress for safety purposes; however, they can be used for infants when the materials are dense enough to provide substantial support. Foam mattresses that are not firm enough can increase an infant’s risk of suffocation if the mattress contours to your baby’s head and body, which is why foam mattresses are typically recommended for the toddler years. Foam crib mattresses are often made with natural, organic materials and tend to be less expensive than innerspring crib mattresses.
For parents: the best memory foam mattresses
Double-Sided
Double-sided mattresses are a great option to get your money’s worth with a mattress. They typically come with an extra-firm side for newborns and infants and a firm side for toddlers and older children moving into a toddler bed. A dual-sided mattress may cost you a little more money but should end up saving you a little money considering they transition with your child as they grow. Just be sure to keep the correct side up at all times for your infant.
How to Clean and Maintain a Crib Mattress
Nowadays, crib mattresses are made with waterproof or water-resistant materials that can be easily wiped down with a damp sponge, or if needed, light soap and water. Sometimes, the mattress cover is removable and washable, but you will need to check the label to make sure of this before you attempt it.
Never use harsh chemicals to clean a mattress. Not only is this degrading to the materials, but it’s unsafe for your baby to breathe in any remnants left behind. The chemicals may also travel through the mattress cover, as most covers are made to be extremely breathable. So avoid this regardless of the circumstances.
