A good crib mattress is essential to keeping your baby safe and comfortable while sleeping. In fact, making careful selection of your baby’s crib mattress is one of the most important things you can do as a new parent.  Wait to buy a mattress until after you’ve picked out and purchased a crib, because the proper fit is absolutely essential. Your crib mattress should fit the dimensions of your crib perfectly, with no gaps or budging. 

There is no shortage of choices when it comes to crib mattresses. From the companies which we are all familiar with – Sealy, Serta – to specialty producers, crib mattresses are a well-served field. With so many to choose from, it can quickly become overwhelming. It’s important to narrow down the choices by determining what is important to you in a crib mattress. Consider these three questions to get you started:

1. Do you prefer a baby mattress made of foam, or innerspring coils?

A foam mattress will be much lighter, and easier to pick up when changing baby’s sheets. Foam is less springy though, and most adults sleep on innerspring.

2. What are your requirements when it comes to materials?

You might also want a mattresses made without vinyl, or chemical flame retardants, for example. Crib mattresses made with some or all organic materials are readily available today. Some mattresses carry a Greenguard certification, meaning it emits low emissions of volatile organic chemicals into the air. Consider what is important to you when it comes to materials.

3. How much are you interested in spending?

You could easily spend hundreds on a crib mattress, but there is also plenty of choice for much less than that.

Once you have a general idea of what you want (and you’re armed with your crib’s dimensions!), it’s time to start shopping. Here are a few brands to take a look at and get you started on the search for a crib mattress.

Product Categories:

1. Naturepedic Mattresses

2. Sealy Crib Mattresses

3. Colgate Kids Mattresses

4. Moonlight Slumber Mattresses

5. Delta Children Mattresses

1. Naturepedic Mattresses

Lightweight Organic Cotton Classic 2-Stage Crib Mattress

$289

• They use organic cotton and filling
• They avoid latex for allergy sensitivity
• Meet federal regulations for fire safety without the use of flame retardants
• Range in price from $259-$399

Other organic crib mattress brands to consider are EcoBaby Organics, Oeuf, Emily Natural Crib Mattress

View on Amazon

2. Sealy Crib Mattresses 

Sealy Baby Ultra Rest Crib Mattress

$100

• Offer a huge variety of crib mattresses including natural, traditional, and innovative styles
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Range in price from $70-$270
• Lower end mattresses sold under the Kolcraft name, range from $60-$80

View on Amazon​

3. Colgate Kids Mattresses

Colgate Kids Visco Classica

$250

• Foam and innerspring options
• A range of eco-friendly mattresses, as well as traditional and high end
• No flame retardants
• Range in price from $130-$385

View on Amazon​

4. Moonlight Slumber

Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer

$197

• Produce 13 standard size crib mattresses with a variety of features
• Vinyl/PVC free, some mattresses have removable covers for easier cleaning
• Photos on website show and explain mattress’ inner components and advantages
• Prices start at $199

View on Amazon​

5. Delta Children

Delta Children’s Gentle Stars Crib & Toddler Mattress

$79

• Company includes Simmons Kids Beautyrest and Serta
• All mattresses meet strict standards for chemical emission
• Fit standard crib sizes of 52” (L) x 27.5” (w) x 6” (h)
• Range in price from $49-$220

View on Amazon​