The saying “sleep like a baby” didn’t come out of nowhere.
Babies and toddlers need more sleep than adults. Ensuring the right quality of sleep is essential for their growth and brain development.
Considering how much time babies spend in their bed, choosing the best crib mattress for their needs calls for a great deal of research.
Unlike choosing a mattress for an adult, there’s one thing that’s far more important than comfort.
It’s safety.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), one of the best things parents can do for their children is to create a safe sleep environment. This also means choosing a safe mattress that will fit the crib like a glove.
The federal government gives official guidelines on the size and thickness of crib mattresses, but today’s retailers offer so many different models that choosing the best crib mattress for your child can be an ordeal if you come unprepared.
That’s why we’ve come up with this guide.
This article will give you the list of the top 7 best crib mattresses to look for in 2019. We tell you what factors to consider when shopping for a crib mattress for your baby.
Top 7 Best Crib Mattresses for 2019
Healthy Mom Healthy Baby’s mattresses recommendations are based on hours of meticulous research, hundreds of verified customer reviews, and our team’s extensive testing procedures.
All of the products listed below are mattresses that we had previously experienced and would personally recommend to parents.
1. Newton Crib Mattress (Editor’s Pick)
Pros:
- Equipped with “air core” technology for easier airflow and breathability
- Greenguard Gold Certified
- Designed with a washable 3D cover for mold prevention and easier removal of stains
- Smart temperature regulation
- Dual firmness for infants and toddlers
- The mattress’ cover could be softer.
Cons:
- One of the most expensive crib mattresses out there.
- Infants will need an additional sheet to sleep on, as the mattress’ cover may feel too rough on their skin.
What we like about Newton Crib Mattress:
This “safety-first” mattress is one of the most innovative products on the market. The mattress ensures a firm base for your child thanks to the fine filaments of food-grade plastic polymer spun together dubbed “Wovenaire” — all contained in a soft polyester cover.
The dual-firmness design comes with a soft side for toddlers and a firmer side for infants.
The Newton crib mattress is extremely breathable and has been designed to eliminate the risk of baby’s suffocation if it ever rolls over to lay face down on the bed. This crib mattress also comes with outstanding temperature regulation, which is great because it prevents babies from overheating.
But the best part about the Newton crib mattress is that it’s made of 100% recyclable materials; this means no foam, glue, latex, or springs in the formula. On top of that, the product is GREENGUARD Gold-certified to make sure it doesn’t contain any hazardous substances like fire-retardants, packing chemicals, or cleaning solvents.
Both the cover and the core itself are machine washable; you can wash the mattress in a bathtub or shower, which significantly reduces the chance of mold growth and bacteria buildup.
2. Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless Dual Firmness (Best Organic Crib Mattress)
Pros:
- Offers unmatched airflow for hot sleepers
- Dual-firm design for improved safety
- Solid edge support
- Designed to promote muscular development and reduce the risk of SIDS
- Made of natural and sustainable materials
- Free of toxins or fire retardants
Cons:
- It has higher than average heat retention.
- It’s heavy
- It fits in the higher budget range
What We Like About Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic:
Made of 150 coil springs, this classic crib mattress comes with unmatched airflow which is invaluable for children with a tendency to overheat during the night.
This crib mattress has been designed with the firm upper surface to keep the spine in alignment while supporting the muscle growth children need so much to hold their own weight.
The surface of the Naturepedic crib mattress is covered with a seamless cotton weave and finished with a water-proof polyethylene layer. This provides higher hygienic standards for your baby in case the mattress is in contact with food.
Infants like to explore their surroundings, so the seamless outer layer also protects them against damaging the skin, mouth, or eyes.
The inside of the mattress is comprised of 150 separately wrapped coil springs. If you pay extreme attention to safety, you can spend more on the 254-coiled model. The mattress comes with a dual-firmness design, providing a firmer surface for infants and a more comfortable surface for toddlers.
3. Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams (Best Affordable Crib Mattress)
Pros:
- Affordable, even for small budgets
- Extremely lightweight
- Equipped with a water-resistant cover
- Can be easily cleaned in a shower
- GREENGUARD Gold-Certified
Cons:
- No dual firmness option
- Not very breathable
- The mattress only supports children up to 30 pounds
What We Like About Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams:
We absolutely love the fact that someone has finally come up with a quality crib mattress that doesn’t break the bank.
The mattress is designed with a core made from thermo-bonded polyester fibers, combining firmness with a very small weight — only about 7 pounds.
The cover is laminated with polypropylene and vinyl, so you can rest assured you’re buying a durable and water-resistant product which also prevents odors from soaking into the surface.
The GREENGUARD Gold certificate guarantees that the mattress has passed strict quality-testing for low emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). It’s also free of lead and phthalates, so your baby sleeps far away from heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting mattress for a fraction of the cost of other crib mattresses, the Heavenly Dreams model will be your best bet.
4. Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Infant/Toddler (Best Mattress Made from Soybeans)
Pros:
- Made with renewable soybeans grown in the USA
- Lightweight foam
- Free of phthalates, lead, mercury, formaldehyde, and flame retardants
- One of the more firm crib mattress options
- Comes with a ventilation layer for improved airflow and moisture prevention
Cons:
- The mattress might be a little too firm for toddlers
- No dual-firmness option
- It tends to leave gaps between the mattress corner and the crib with some tightly fitted sheets.
What We Like About Sealy Soybean Foam-Core:
This isn’t your regular foam crib mattress. The Sealy Soybean model is made with a soybean foam core coming from soybeans grown in the USA. This mattress is also hypoallergenic and provides one of the firmest mattress surfaces for infants.
The firmness of this mattress is good on one hand, but on the other, your baby will likely outgrow the mattress by about a year, and you’ll be wishing you had bought a product with a double-firmness system.
Aside from this little flaw, there are a lot of positives to say about the Sealy Soybean mattress.
First, the soy-cotton surface is very soft to the touch and thus comfortable for both infant and toddlers.
Second, we like the waterproof cover so you can save on extra water protection.
And last but not least, the ventilation layer works great to keep the air flowing and prevent moisture from being contained inside of the mattress.
If you’re looking for a super-firm soy foam mattress with some cool features (and a low price), the crib mattress is a great option to consider.
5. Moonlight Slumber the Little Dreamer ( Best Dual Sided Sleep System)
Pros:
- Made from plant-based foam
- Double-firmness surface to fit both toddlers and infants
- Water-resistant
- Odor-resistant
- Antimicrobial
- GREENGUARD Gold-certified
- Free of fire retardant chemicals
Cons:
- The outer nylon cover is too thin in our opinion.
- You need to air the mattress out for 72 hours before placing it in the crib due to an apparent odor after unwrapping the product.
- The side for infants is a bit too firm.
What We Like About Moonlight Slumber:
This is hands down one of the best crib mattresses when it comes to protection standards.
Manufactured from plant-based foam, the mattress comes with a woven chemical-free fire barrier and is wrapped around with non-toxic, medical-grade nylon.
The surface is resistant to water, odor, and microbes. Considering how prone children are to have accidents, this kind of protection is great.
As with every gold-standard mattress, the Little Dreamer is GREENGUARD Gold-certified, so your baby won’t be exposed to potentially harmful materials.
Need more reasons to buy the Moonlight Slumber? The mattress is only about 10 pounds and it comes with a dual-sided system, meaning it has a firm side for infants and a more comfy surface for toddlers.
6. Milliard Crib Mattress
Pros:
- A great level of support for infants
- Made with “memory foam”
- Waterproof
- The cover protects against mold, mildew, dust mites, and other allergens
Cons:
- The smell is awful when you open the mattress, so you need to air it out for a few days.
- No dual-firmness system
- Turns out a little squeaky when toddlers are moving around on it.
What We Like About Milliard Crib Mattress:
The memory foam used in the Milliard Crib Mattress easily adjusts to the child’s body, ensuring proper spine alignment and high-quality sleep. It also performed pretty well in our testing, mainly because of its safety certificates.
The mattress is CrtiPUR-US certified, so there are no ozone-depleting products, no flame retardants, or heavy metals such as mercury or lead.
Milliard Crib Mattresses also include a cover for the top and sides which feels a bit like a sheet — but on the other hand, it’s hypoallergenic and incredibly easy to clean.
However, this mattress doesn’t have a reversible dual-firmness for varied support levels; it also lacks the thickness of the other mattresses listed above and isn’t quite as comfortable.
Still, $55 for a high-quality memory foam mattress with so many protection features is a great deal.
7. Simmons Kids Beauty Rest Crib Mattress
Pros:
- 2-in-1 crib and toddler bed mattress
- Double-firmness surface
- Made with 231 pocketed coil springs
- Naturally protected against fire
- Holds GREENGUARD GOLD & CertiPUR-US seal of approval
Cons:
- The mattress weighs 26 pounds, which might be a little difficult to maneuver for some parents.
- Some users report durability issues
- Difficult to change the sheet as compared to other products
What We Like About Simmons Kids Beauty Rest:
This mattress has everything it takes to meet our criteria for one of the best crib mattresses for 2019. It comes with the dual-firmness surface, has certificates for VOC emissions, a great build quality, and a long record of satisfied customers.
Not to mention the ungodly weight of 26 pounds.
Since the mattress is covered with natural fabric, your baby will be able to stay cool during the sleep. Also, the firmness of the infant side and the softness of the toddler side are well balanced in our opinion. The mattress is soft to the touch yet still supportive.
Some parents argue that this model is too firm for their infants, but the firmness is great for helping the parent stay calm knowing that their baby is sleeping safe — and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Types of Crib Mattresses
The majority of crib mattresses available on the market today belong to at least one of the following categories:
1. Foam Crib Mattresses
This type of mattresses is usually made with polyurethane foam, although some models include plant-based foam, e.g. from soybeans. They’re typically lighter than other crib mattresses and their thickness rarely exceeds six inches.
Most crib mattresses are rated as “medium firm” or “firm”, which means they are suitable for both toddlers and infants. The support in a foam mattress largely depends on its density and is expressed with pounds per cubic foot (PCF).
If you want a more sturdy mattress, we suggest you look for higher-density foams.
2. Innerspring Crib Mattresses
The design of innerspring mattresses is simple.
They feature steel coils as the support for the core. They also come with at least one cushioning layer of cotton or foam and an insulator pad that is a protective layer between the springs and the child’s body.
Innerspring mattresses are usually heavy, weighing between 15 and 20 pounds. Those encased with organic comfort layer materials may carry even more weight.
The majority of innerspring crib mattresses are firm enough to provide newborns and infants with high safety levels, minimizing the risk of rollover. They might be too firm for a toddler, though.
Finally, crib mattresses with springs offer more support than their foam-based counterparts because it’s based on how the child’s body weight is distributed over the crib mattress surface.
3. Organic Crib Mattresses
In order to be legitimately labeled as “organic,” a mattress must be first certified through the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which, of course, entails a higher-than-average price.
Most organic mattresses are made with foam, but it’s possible to find organic innerspring, too.
However, an organic mattress is never 100% organic. The GOTS certification is accredited to materials consisting of at least 70% organic ingredients. This includes organic cotton, wool, or latex.
Organic crib mattress may be produced with single- or dual-firmness surfaces. When choosing between different organic models, make sure at least one side is firm enough for an infant.
The support in organic mattresses can vary by model, but as with foam mattresses, it depends on the foam density and the thickness of your mattress.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Crib Mattress
As mentioned, finding the best crib mattress for your baby is not an easy task. In-depth research is a must if you want to create a safe sleeping environment for the child.
Below we map out all the necessary factors to consider:
1. What Size of Mattress do you Need?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that mattresses used in cribs must be at least 51 ¼ inches long, at least 27 ¼ inches wide, and their thickness must not exceed six inches.
In addition, the mattress should fit inside the crib so that it leaves no space on either side of the bed. This reduces the risk of your child getting trapped when moving around the crib.
Keep in mind that a toddler and a crib is not a good combination, so when your child enters that stage of development, make sure to lower the mattress down to prevent them from falling out the crib.
2. Corners or No-Corners?
The choice is simple, you either go with a mattress that has rounded corners or one with square corners. But, given the prevalence of cribs with squared corners, a squared corner mattress will fit much better. There won’t be any gaps in the bed, which means the pacifiers, lovies, and other toys won’t fall and get lost — just for your peace of mind.
3. Dual or Single Firmness Options?
Pediatricians confirm that infants should sleep on a firmer mattress until they become mobile.
By mobile, we mean sitting, rolling, and pulling themselves up to stand in the crib.
The firm side will be used for your baby until around 9 to 12 months. After that period, you’ll need a softer surface — more suitable for a toddler.
Buying two separate mattresses is pointless in this case, which is why many parents turn to mattresses with a dual-side surface.
These models are generally more expensive than single-firmness mattresses, but it’s still less than what you’d have to pay for two pieces.
4. What’s Your Budget?
When buying a crib mattress for your baby, you shouldn’t cut corners.
Don’t get us wrong, you can get decent-quality mattresses at great deals for special occasions, but when something is obtrusively advertised as cheap, it may not convert from infant to toddler crib mattresses, tend to have high VOC emission levels, and are often made with inferior materials.
The best crib mattresses for infants and toddlers range between $200 and $300, but some models are blowing away the rest of the mattress competition with unexpectedly low prices, such as the Milliard mattress that is available for as little as $55.
5. Look at the Emission Standards
Crib mattresses may carry different certificates in multiple areas but there’s one certificate you should look for — Greenguard Gold.
This certification applies to VOCs as well as other chemical substances that are hazardous for a baby’s health. In addition, foam mattresses should have a CertiPUR-US certificate. This badge ensures that the foam doesn’t contain heavy metals.
It’s all the better if your mattress is organic; but then again, make sure to check it’s GOTS certified as well.
6. Crib Mattress Ventilation
Top-notch quality crib mattresses are equipped with little vents usually made of plastic slits or metal grommets to help the mattress “breath.”
While a breathable mattress sounds like some awkward language construct, these little vents help the mattress stave off various smells from your baby, like a dirty diaper odor that may otherwise last for several weeks.
A breathable mattress will also protect your kiddie against overheating, which reduces the risk of fever and viral infections.
7. Assessing Longevity of the Mattress
If you plan on having more kids in the future, then we recommend investing a little bit more money in a crib mattress. A high-quality piece will outlast your baby’s time in a crib without losing the quality, and it can serve your family for many years until it starts to show shameful signs of wear-and-tear.
Summarizing the Best Crib Mattresses for 2019
Being a parent is a wonderful experience, but in order to be a responsible parent and provide the right conditions for your child to grow and develop properly, you must become an expert in many different areas.
Such as choosing the best crib mattress, for example.
The more you begin to delve into the subject, the more confusing it gets — many people find themselves running down the rabbit hole that is crib mattresses. There are a lot of different options and it can be hard to determine the good from the bad.
We hope this guide will save you unnecessary frustration, and when the time comes, you’ll be armed and ready to buy the right crib mattress for your baby, making a well-informed decision.
Thank you for the information. I came a cross this article at the right time. Helping pay for first grandbaby main big items. And was lost in what mattress would be good at a decent price. Thanks again.