Types of Baby Crib Mattresses

When shopping for cribs, we usually seek out one that offers support, comfort, and pain relief. However, safety is something we can’t afford to take for granted. Determining which best crib mattress to buy for your baby is one of the most crucial nursery choices you’ll make.

There are three kinds of toddler and crib mattresses that you should be mindful of: Innerspring, Foam, and Organic:

Innerspring

Even though innerspring baby mattress typically cost more than their polyurethane counterparts, they remain a favored choice. The sturdy support offered by the springs (coils) is ideal for orthopedic safety and support. Further, innerspring is a very popular choice for full size mattresses, and as such, parents generally remain with what they can depend on. Support and comfort are measured by the amount of springs within the mattress. The general number of springs range between 50 to 200; the more springs a mattress contains, the better, but there are other ways to determine how firm a mattress is.

Thickness of a wire is a reliable method to determine the level of firmness. A reduced gauge equates to a thicker wire, which means its more firm and unyielding. For maximum results, keep an eye out for mattresses with more than 150 springs, and a gauge of lower than 15.5.

Foam

Foam crib mattresses contain polyurethane. They remain a favored choice by parents, as they tend to be more affordable than organic or innerspring mattresses. Foam also comes in various depths, the most common ranging between 3 and 6 inches. Foam mattresses also weigh much less than the other two alternatives, making sheet-changing and clean-ups a cinch. Many polyurethane models available don’t weigh as much as the innerspring, which is a positive. The average polyurethane baby mattress weighs about 7 to 11 pounds.

Organic

When it comes to cost, organic crib mattresses are the best choice. Although they are more expensive than innerspring and foam mattresses, organic mattresses are the healthier than their counterparts. The materials are completely natural, and are usually made from cotton, which means there are no potentially dangerous allergens or chemicals to by concerned about. Foam mattresses are made with many different materials, some of which can be dangerous to your child, more so if they are allergic to such components. Keeping in mind how much time your child will be spending in the crib, you must keep in mind the contents and ingredients of the materials they’ll be surrounded with. Traditional polyurethane models might be hazardous to your child’s health down the road. Organic mattresses eliminate that risk.