Which Is The Best Crib Mattress?

Which is the Best Crib Mattress?
All the information you need to choose the best crib mattress for your baby.

Your baby will weigh, on average, between 7 and 16 lbs during their time using a crib mattress. It is vital that the crib mattress offers firm support and comfort, as your baby could be using this mattress for up to 2000 hours.

Size

The current recommended EU standard is that there should not be more than a 3 cm gap between the cot edge and the side of the mattress. This is to avoid any possible trapping hazards.

Comfortable, Supportive, and Durable

Foam
The majority of crib mattresses are made from a thin layer of foam, typically 3 or 4 cm deep, with a polyester cover. The quality of the foam in most crib mattresses sold will be the minimum needed to pass the British Standard.

There is a huge variation in the quality of foam used in crib mattresses. Many are made to hit a price point and often use terms like "nursery foam" to describe the quality.

TCPP-Free Foam
These crib mattresses offer the ultimate in safety, support, comfort, and durability, and will likely last as long as the crib itself. Are they over-specified for the job?
Well, place one of these 5 cm deep, heavier-duty foam crib mattresses next to a basic foam crib mattress, press down on it, and ask yourself: which one would you want your baby to sleep on?

The future is about re-use, not landfill waste. A good crib and mattress will check that box.

Fibre Instead of Foam

Fibre has advantages over foam: it is cooler, more breathable, lacks a petroleum smell, and is made from recycled plastic bottles. It's also cheaper.

However, while fibre is cheaper than foam, it is not as comfortable or durable, and it does not provide the same level of support.

Natural Coir and Lambswool

Quality coir combined with a good depth of lambswool can be as safe, supportive, and durable as the top-quality TCPP-Free 150/50 foam crib mattress. Comfort will depend on the type and depth of lambswool used.

Of course, with a natural mattress, you are helping the environment through a sustainable purchase that is biodegradable, foam-free, and not derived from petrochemical products.

Easy to Keep Clean, Hygienic, Waterproof Protection, and Breathable

This is where the covers play a crucial role. Choose machine-washable, breathable covers with waterproof protection placed under the cover and over the mattress core. Consider having a spare cover for convenience (one for the wash).

An example of how this can be done: the Easychange® mattress has a waterproof cover to fully protect the mattress. This cover features a perimeter zip for easy topper replacement. The toppers are breathable, temperature-controlling, and hold a considerable amount of air.

So, when that inevitable nighttime accident occurs, you simply unzip the soiled topper, wipe down the crib mattress protective base cover if needed, and zip on a clean topper. Pop the soiled topper in the wash—easy!

If you buy a crib mattress with no built-in waterproof protection, you will need to purchase a waterproof protector.

If you place a waterproof cover over the crib mattress cover, your baby will be lying on a non- or partially-breathable surface. For maximum breathability, consider placing the protective cover under a breathable mattress cover.

All Cot Mattress Company crib mattresses have built-in waterproof protection.

Natural Cotton Covers for Natural Coir Crib Mattresses

Cotton covers are supplied with many coir and lambswool natural crib mattresses, but they are not waterproof.

If you want a fully waterproof mattress, you’ll need a non-natural cover. Outlux is a fabric option that is fully waterproof and 93% natural, though it is not completely breathable.

A good compromise would be the Easychange® cover system over your natural crib mattress core, or a Coolmax and Maxispace cover with a waterproof liner underneath.