13 Best Crib Mattresses for Babies

When a baby is born, it spends up to as many as 17 hours sleeping every day. According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns up to 3-month-olds need at least 14-17 hours of sleep a day – it sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Thus, it’s important to buy a comfortable and safe crib mattress for your baby. But shopping for the best crib mattress for babies or a toddler isn’t the same as shopping for an adult-size bed. Firstly, your baby needs firm support to reduce the risk of suffocation and for its developing bones. What’s more, you’ll want a crib mattress that’s easy to clean when there are accidents. Or, you might want dual-sided ones that your baby can use from the infant to toddler stage of their years.

And a part of getting your tiny tot to sleep soundly is creating a good, safe, and comfortable sleeping environment with a good crib mattress. Just like your tot needs the best portable bassinets for babies, they need a good crib mattress too. To that end, here are the 13 best crib mattress options for babies and toddler beds.

Kolcraft Pure Sleep Therapeutic 150 Waterproof Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress

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The Kolcraft Pure Sleep Therapeutic 150 Waterproof Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies and even a toddler bed. Innerspring mattresses feature internal coils that make for extremely long-lasting, sturdy, and firm, and this mattress is no exception. For infants, the coils prevent them from falling to one side or sinking. Plus, toddlers appreciate the springiness that offers optimal comfort by moving with their bodies. Moreover, this Kolcraft mattress even comes with a stain-resistant and waterproof non-removable cover that wipes down easily with a damp or wet cloth. While you can’t remove the cover, it’s made from breathable and hypoallergenic materials that remain comfy and safe for your baby or toddler.

Sealy Baby Firm Rest Waterproof Standard Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress

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The Sealy Baby Firm Rest Waterproof Standard Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress is a fantastic option for a baby bed. This waterproof crib mattress is important as it makes for clean sleeping space for your baby. What’s more, it’s very easy to wash and clean up accidents or spills without fear of damage or staining. This mattress even has an odor-resistant and antimicrobial waterproof cover with lock-stitched binding, so nothing can seep through. Moreover, the heat-tempered interlocking steel coils ensure your baby stays content and cool throughout the night. If that wasn’t enough, the all-around secure edge heavy gauge steel border rods keep them from getting stuck or sinking into one side.

Delta Children Serta SleepTrue Mini Crib Mattress

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The Delta Children Serta SleepTrue Mini Crib Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies. Mini cribs require special smaller mattresses that must still tick all safety considerations of traditional-sized ones. And this Delta mattress does just that, checking all our boxes, including a 10-year warranty, a waterproof cover, and a nontoxic construction. What’s more, the firm fiber core is made from recycled bottles and is as much as four inches thick, making it optimally comfortable for the baby. Moreover, the dual side ensures that this mattress stays around for years, or at least until your baby outgrows it. And since it weighs just four lbs, it’s also a great choice for taking on the go.

Colgate Eco Classica III Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress

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The Colgate Eco Classica III Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress is another amazing bed mattress for a baby/toddler. This breathable crib mattress ensures that your baby will be able to breathe even if they flip onto its stomach during the night. What’s more, the high-quality and certified safe foam in this mattress ensures that your baby doesn’t suffocate and won’t be breathing in any harmful toxins or allergens. Furthermore, the dual-sided option boasts an in-built waterproof backing so no liquids can seep into it and cause stains. And as the name suggests, there’s an “eco-foam” that’s infused with plant oils for an environmentally-friendly experience. All in all, the nontoxic, lightweight, and firm composition make this mattress a must-buy.

Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress

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The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies and toddler beds, especially. As babies get older, they transition to softer crib mattresses for comfort while sleeping. Consider buying dual-sided mattresses designed for two stages in your baby’s life instead of buying two mattresses. One side of this mattress has an extra-firm plant-based foam perfect for infants. Meanwhile, the other has a plush and soft foam that toddlers can literally melt into. What’s more, the medical-grade stretch knit fabric holds up well over time while also resisting dust mites, bedbugs, odors, and water. Finally, even parents will feel good about this vinyl-free, antimony-free, non-toxic, lead, phthalate, and PVC-free mattress that won’t cause allergies to their skin as they sleep.

Naturepedic Organic Crib Natural Mattress

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The Naturepedic Organic Crib Natural Mattress is a fantastic option for a toddler bed. This mattress uses only non-toxic and organic materials and is sturdy yet lightweight due to the absence of the traditional springs. What’s more, the breathable materials are sustainable as well, thus rendering them safe and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the reinforced edges and the firm base ensure that your baby stays safe all night without dipping or slipping into one side. If that wasn’t enough, the waterproof seams prevent liquids from seeping into the sides and also keep dust mites and bugs out. All you need to do is simply wipe off the mattress in case of accidents or spills and not worry about stains.

Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress

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The Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies. Those parents who’re on a tight budget will love this safe and comfortable mattress that costs less than 100 USD. What’s more, this mattress features a machine-washable, water-resistant, and flexible cover in case of accidents and spills. Moreover, it’s been screened for more than 10,000 VOCs and chemicals that pollute indoor air. If that wasn’t enough, the memory foam is firm and breathable, making it ideal for infants. The best bit? It comes compact in a box for easy transport, expanding when taken out.

Newton Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed

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The Newton Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed boasts an innovative, breath-through technology reducing the risk of breathing and suffocation. Besides keeping your baby comfy and cool, the washable mattress is made without springs, latex, glue, or foam, so parents won’t have to worry about allergens either. Aside from being GreenGuard Certified, this foam mattress is cooling and breathable, so the baby won’t overheat during the night. In terms of safety, this mattress grows with the baby and also keeps them safe if and when they flip onto their stomach during the night.

Babyletto Pure Core Non-Toxic Mattress

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The Babyletto Pure Core Non-Toxic Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies. The vinyl-free baby mattress also boasts a whole lot of other bells and whistles. For instance, it’s two-sided for when your infant grows into a toddler, thus catering to multiple stages in their lives. What’s more, the corners are square for a safe fit in the crib, with the zippered closure allowing the sheets to be perfectly snug and not loose anywhere. 

Sealy Soybean Serenity Foam Core Mattress

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The Sealy Soybean Serenity Foam Core Mattress is another great mattress weighing less than 10 lbs. There are a lot of things to like about this baby mattress. Firstly, the core of this mattress is CertiPUR-US certified foam, further enhanced with soybeans. How cool is that? What’s more, the mattress is appropriately firm and thoughtfully designed with squared-off corners. Thus, it fits any crib of any standard size, like a glove. That’s not all – there’s a bonus too! The surface of the mattress can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth, as it’s stain-resistant.

Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage Crib Mattress

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The Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage Crib Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies. This breathable mattress is another excellent choice for parents who want to invest in a product that’ll hold up from their baby’s infant years and through the toddler years as well. What’s more, it’s waterproof, thanks to the washable and waterproof cover and the patented food-grade PE waterproofing treatment. Finally, parents will also appreciate that the mattress cover is made from a breathable material that allows air to flow freely, thus keeping your little one cool and comfortable all the time.

Serta Perfect Start Crib and Toddler Mattress

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The Serta Perfect Start Crib and Toddler Mattress, albeit slightly heavy at 15 lbs, has a lot of plus points. For one, it’s Greenguard Gold certified, which means that it’s made from environmentally-friendly materials. What’s more, it also has a waterproof vinyl cover, which makes it easy to wipe it down in case of unfortunate middle-of-the-night blowouts when you’re half-asleep. Another great thing about this mattress is that it’s designed to fit snugly inside any standard crib. Finally, it’s more than appropriately firm for your baby’s safety, even if they flip onto their stomachs in the middle of the night.

Bedgear Baby Air-X 2-Stage Breathable Crib Mattress

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The Bedgear Baby Air-X 2-Stage Breathable Crib Mattress is the best crib mattress for babies. With its many performance and comfort features, even adults will get a good night’s sleep on this crib mattress. For one, this two-stage mattress has a cover that’s temperature-neutral and moisture-wicking. Secondly, the baby stays cool, making it an ideal choice for families that live in a variable or warm climate. Finally, the inner layer is made from a patented technology with a 3D structured fabric to maximize airflow and breathability as well.

How To Choose The Best Crib Mattress for Babies?

Firmness

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to buying a toddler and baby crib mattress is firmness. Usually, baby mattresses are firmer than adult mattresses as they support their growing bones and keep them safe while they sleep. If that wasn’t enough, firm mattresses also help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Fit and size

There’s no doubt that the mattress fit and size are other important factors. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, full-size crib mattresses must measure 51.24 inches long and 27.25 inches wide. What’s more, the mattress should fit snugly against the frame of the crib, and parents shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers between the crib and the mattress. This prevents the baby from slipping in between or sinking into the mattress and potentially getting stuck. Also, remember that portable or mini cribs will require a different-sized mattress.

Material

Crib mattresses need to either have polyethylene or a vinyl surface that makes them waterproof and resistant to mold. Are you choosing a fabric option? Always add a waterproof cover. Since some parents prefer mattresses made from organic and natural materials to avoid chemicals, that also works.

Breathability

Finally, you need to look at the breathability of the crib mattress, which ensures that babies can still breathe if and when they flip over onto their stomachs. While different fabrics are more breathable than others, looking for products that specifically market themselves as breathable and lightweight is a good idea.

What type of mattress is best for babies?

Pick foam crib mattresses to help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and suffocation, which even the AAP recommends (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Do babies sleep better on a crib mattress?

Yes, as they’re much more comfortable than traditional mattresses.

How thick should my baby’s mattress be?

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the crib mattress should be no more than 6 inches thick.