Which sealy crib mattress is best

Higher coil count: A firm sleeping surface is essential for infant safety in the nursery. When comparing innerspring crib mattresses, look for one with a high coil count for an ultra-firm, supportive sleeping surface for your little one. The higher the coil count, the firmer the mattress, and because coils are heat-tempered and made of durable steel, innerspring crib mattresses are built to last.

For additional protection, upgrade to a baby mattress with a perimeter border wire and EverEdge strength pillars for side, corner and edge support. Extra layers for more support: Additional layers of cushioning help provide long-lasting support and comfort for infants and toddlers. For extra comfort and cushioning for toddlers, upgrade to a mattress with an additional layer of memory foam, enhanced with natural, renewable soybeans.

Some companies also have third-party certifications, such as CertiPUR-US certification, which identifies products free from harmful chemicals. These certifications can help with identifying safe and high-quality products.

While used crib mattresses are often low-cost and a more eco-friendly option, they are not as safe as a new crib mattress. They may have wear and tear that can pose choking or suffocation hazards. Bacteria and mold may also be present but undetectable in these products. With this in mind, it is best to buy a new crib mattress when possible to ensure it is clean and safe.

Learn about recycling mattresses safely. A firm crib mattress that fits the crib properly can help ensure safe and comfortable sleep for an infant.

Researching brands and products is important, as different mattresses have varying features and specifications. People may also wish to explore reputable brands and products with many positive reviews. Here, learn which sleeping position can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome SIDS , and find out how to make sure the sleeping environment….

There is a range of twin mattresses that may suit children. Learn about some of the best twin mattresses for kids and how to choose. A car seat is important for a baby's comfort and safety. Learn about some of the best baby car seats available and how to choose the ideal option. Choosing the best mattress for kids requires research and comparison between different brands and products.

Learn how to choose the best mattress for…. Most babies cry in their sleep at some point. In this article, we look at the reasons why they cry in their sleep, how to soothe the baby, and what…. How to choose the best crib mattress. Share on Pinterest. Crib mattress safety. Some of the best crib mattresses. Frequently Asked Questions. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?

Related Coverage. Innerspring mattresses are typically a bit heavier, at 15 to 30 pounds. The more coils and thicker the steel the coils are made of represented by a lower gauge , the firmer the mattress. Innerspring mattresses often have border rods that go around the perimeter of the top and bottom to provide extra firmness and sag-preventing side and edge support.

In addition to the springs and border wires, innerspring mattresses have cushioning layers often made of polyester, foam, or cotton, and an insulator pad made of coir fiber shredded coconut shells or woven polyester.

The more layers and better-quality materials used in those layers and that insulator pad, the better the mattress. Organic and specialty mattresses are typically made from organic cotton, untreated wool, natural latex an alternative to petroleum-based foam , and coconut fiber.

Next, I looked at the mattresses ticking, or its outer layer. Some crib mattresses are covered with cotton brushed with food-grade plastic; others have a waterproof vinyl cover. Three-ply vinyl covers are thicker and less likely to rip, tear, or dry out with use than thinner vinyl covers. Some vinyl, like polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, contains phthalates —plasticizers that make the material softer and more pliable and that some studies have linked to hormonal disruptions in lab animals.

Some mattresses are seamless; others have a zipper or seams around the entire cover. Some mattresses with seams seemed much more durable or tightly sewn than others. The experts we talked with said that, unsurprisingly, the general rule is that the more expensive the mattress is, the better quality the materials.

When we lined up our testers from lowest to highest priced, that certainly seemed to be the case. At the least expensive end, we had an innerspring mattress with no border wire around it and a single-layer vinyl cover, and another mattress with polyester fill and a single-layer vinyl covering. Most middle-of-the-road mattresses had either polyurethane foam some with a little of that soy or plant-based oil mixed in or more innersprings with a border wire, covered with a multilayer polyester cover.

The more-expensive mattresses were often two-sided, with a firmer infant side and a more comfortable toddler side. Their covers were made of higher-quality materials, like organic cotton with waterproof backing; organic cotton brushed with food-grade polyethylene plastic; or a medical-grade, water- and odor-resistant knit fabric.

The Moonlight Slumber model is also free of vinyl, PVC, and phthalates, and the Sealy soybean mattress, which has a vinyl cover, is phthalate-free. But although these certifications can provide parents concerned about off-gassing more information and perhaps peace of mind, know that some mattresses with Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications still have a PVC vinyl cover on top, for instance.

For more on polyurethane foam , you can read our article on mattress off-gassing. Some meet this by spraying the foam with a flame retardant or including a layer of natural cotton or wool treated with boric acid in the mattress.

Some meet this standard by using natural wool, latex, or baking soda. An expert group in the United Kingdom analyzed this toxic-gas hypothesis in the late s, and found it unsubstantiated PDF. To learn more about concerns surrounding VOCs and crib mattresses, we spoke to Brandon Boor, PhD, an environmental engineer at Purdue University who has published multiple research papers on VOCs released by crib mattresses.

In his study, Boor found that the new mattresses gave off about four times more VOCs than older mattresses. But, unfortunately, none of his research—or the work on flame retardants by Heather Stapleton, PhD , of Duke University—is linked to specific manufacturers or product names, Boor said. But how low is low enough or optimal for infants?

And though we recognize that some parents feel more comfortable putting their baby to sleep on an all-organic mattress, there is no research demonstrating that using an organic versus a nonorganic mattress has any health impact, so we did not consider organic mattresses to be inherently better than conventional ones. A relevant side note: VOCs come from a lot more places in a nursery than just the crib mattress. They can be emitted from pressed wood in some cribs and dresser drawers, from laminate vinyl flooring, and from plastic toys.

I had 12 crib mattresses sent to my home and tested them with the enthusiastic help of my three kids over the course of a month.

As each mattress arrived, I removed it from its box and reviewed all the tags, noting relevant information about the materials used inside and covering the mattress. I then changed the sheets two times per mattress and timed myself to see if any took longer than average—less than one minute per sheet change. With the mattress on the floor, I tested the firmness by laying a 6-pound hand weight—a bit lighter than the average newborn—in the center of the mattress. Though most mattresses completely retained their shape with this weight, the least expensive model I tested showed significant sag.

The innerspring mattresses naturally had significantly more bounce to them, whereas the foam mattresses were more solid. I noted what my kids had to say about the feel my daughter fell in love with the Moonlight Slumber mattress, and asked if she could keep it after sleeping on it for a night, and get rid of her brand-new twin-size mattress—a good sign. We also did way too many spill tests with water or juice. This was straightforward: Either one of my kids or I would spill about a quarter cup of liquid on the mattress, wait about a minute, and then clean it up.

For our favorites, we also used applesauce to see how easy it was to clean up a bigger mess. It was clear that the mattresses covered with a single vinyl layer could rip easily if I applied any pressure at all or really tugged on those seams.

The other mattresses with the three-ply vinyl covers or covers made of more durable materials easily passed this test. Finally, I looked at the price, the materials, and the warranty to see which mattresses rose to the top of the pile. The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer offers the best balance of versatility, functionality, ease of use, and price of all the crib mattresses we considered. It earned top marks across all of the criteria we deemed most important when deciding which mattress to buy.

We found that the Moonlight Slumber was easier to clean than any other mattress we tested, with a durable medical-grade, water-, odor-, and stain-resistant knit cover that ensures both small and big messes are simple for parents to wipe up. Unlike many other mattresses, its design has minimal exposed seams, which means that the biggest messes have no little crevices to seep into. At about The cover is also incredibly supple and was soundless as my kids rolled around on it to simulate changing sleep positions.

It is free of PVC, vinyl, phthalates, chlorine, halogens, nanoparticles, and a flame retardant called PBDE, and substitutes a gauzelike, flame-resistant material wrapped around its polyurethane foam core for spray-on flame retardants all nice attributes that are not unique to this mattress. Analysis of the materials used and of user reviews tells us that the mattress is likely to hold up well for many years.

The Moonlight Slumber brand was launched in ; it now makes 11 crib mattresses, of which the Little Dreamer is the most popular. The company also makes twin and full-size mattresses—one in each size has the exact same feel as the toddler side of the Little Dreamer. The most notable flaw we found with this mattress is its price. For a solid option at a lower price, consider our budget pick. This mattress provides that value.

In December , the U. Federal Trade Commission FTC settled a case against Moonlight Slumber for falsely labeling some of its crib mattresses organic, claiming they have no VOC emissions, and failing to disclose that a certification—"Green Safety Shield"—used in its marketing was one they awarded to their own products. We were not aware of this case while reporting this guide, and though the concerns do not apply specifically to our top-pick mattress, they do align with our conclusion that much of the marketing language used in this category is meaningless.

The Naturepedic Organic Lightweight Cotton Classic is a good choice for most parents who are set on buying a GOTS-certified crib mattress that has a lightweight design, an easy-to-clean cover, and minimal bounce. Naturepedic also has a two-sided version , which is slightly more expensive; the company offers nine crib mattresses in total, all of which are GOTS certified.

The Naturepedic mattress has a polyethylene core covered in certified organic cotton batting, and then in another outer organic cotton fabric layer brushed with a food-grade, waterproof plastic coating.