Mattresses

How would you like to spend ten to fourteen hours a day lying on an uncomfortable surface? That is what happens to a baby with a cheap crib mattress. Since he can’t tell you he is uncomfortable, don’t you think he deserves the best sleeping surface you can afford?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a good crib mattress. One is the type of support system you want. There are two types to choose from, foam and inner spring. For decades parents have debated the merits of each.

First is the foam mattress, which tends to be the cheaper choice. If you choose foam, be sure to select the foam mattress with the highest density. This does not mean the greatest thickness, it mean the greatest weight. Heavier foam holds up better under weight and rebounds to its original shape quicker when the weight is removed. Beware of extremely cheap foam. Many are made with inferior quality foam that can become brittle and break apart inside the cover thereby reducing support.

There are several advantages to a foam mattress. Aside from the fact that they are less expensive, they are so much lighter and easier to move. This makes changing the sheets an easier maneuver. And, as anyone who has had a baby can tell you, this is a constant chore, so lighter is definitely better. Another advantage to foam is that it is more resistant to allergens than inner spring mattress models. It has no coils to harbor dust mites and other things that tend to make us sneeze. If allergies might be an issue you might to buy hypoallergenic bedding for the crib as well.

The other basic choice for a crib is the innerspring model. These are modeled after adult innerspring mattresses. To choose a good firm model, you need to look for a higher coil count, somewhere between 150 and 180. Above 180, smaller gauge wires are used and these provide reduced support. While these crib mattresses provide excellent support, they are quite heavy compared to their foam counterparts. This can make changing the sheets cumbersome and difficult. However, if you want the purchase to last through multiple children, an innerspring may make the most sense, because they do tend to last longer.

The outer covering of crib mattresses (called ticking by your mother) is another very important factor to consider. Most are covered with vinyl and the better models include several layers. While fabric may feel softer and more natural, it must be treated with chemicals to meet federal standards for flame resistance.

Finally, no matter whether you choose foam or innersprings, you must consider the size of the mattress. It absolutely must fit snugly inside the crib with no more than a finger space all the way around. This insures that an infant will not become entrapped and suffocate.

Your precious baby will be spending so much time on his crib mattress. Investing in a good one is something you can do to make his little life more comfortable. After all, isn’t that what parents are here for.