The lowdown on crib mattresses Types of mattresses What to look for when buying Important safety notes What it's going to cost you The lowdown on crib mattressesA good mattress not only makes bedtime cozier – it supports your growing baby and keeps her safe. Consider cost, comfort, and durability, as your baby will probably sleep in a crib for up to 3 years.Browse dozens of cribs.Types of mattresses“Breathable” mattresses, made of materials that are supposed to allow a baby to breathe freely even if his or her face is pressed up against it, are getting more popular. Experts haven’t yet weighed in on their efficacy.What to look for when buyingDensity: You want high density so it’s firm enough to keep your baby safe while sleeping. Most foam mattresses don't list density on the packaging, but weight can be a good indicator. As for innerspring mattresses, manufacturers often equate the number of coils with firmness, but the gauge of the wire is just as important. Lower gauge means thicker wire, which is stronger and therefore firmer.

Look for a mattress with 135 or more coils and a gauge of 15.5 or lower.Weight: A typical foam mattress weighs about 7 to 8 pounds, although mattresses made of memory foam (an especially dense form of polyurethane) can weigh close to 20 pounds. Innerspring crib mattresses are heavier in general, weighing in at about 15 to 25 pounds. Keep in mind that you'll be hoisting up a side of the mattress, or lifting the whole thing, when changing your baby's sheet.heated mattress pad reviews 2013Cleaning: Most traditional mattresses suggest spot-cleaning only. inflatable mattress uk buySome have removable covers that can be machine-washed. ikea baby crib mattressThe innards of at least one crib mattress on the market can be hosed down in the tub once its washable cover is removed.

Certification seals: Crib mattresses for sale in the United States must meet safety standards defined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials. (The Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association does not test or certify crib mattresses.) A manufacturer's claim that a product is organic can mean a variety of things, but look for an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (a worldwide uniform certification), which assures you that certain flame retardants and heavy metals were not used to make the mattress.Important safety notesNo matter what mattress parents choose, they should continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe-sleep guidelines and put babies to sleep on their backs on a firm, bare surface.What it's going to cost youCrib mattresses start at about $40 and can range to more than $350. Organic mattresses start at about $80 and can reach $400.  Download our illustrated guide to crib mattressesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics.

/English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Choosing-a-Crib.aspx [Accessed May 2016]Consumer Reports. Crib mattress buying guide. /cro/crib-mattresses/buying-guide.htm [Accessed May 2016]Consumer Reports. /cro/cribs/buying-guide.htm [Accessed May 2016]CPSC. Learn how to put your baby to sleep safely. http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/cribs/ [Accessed May 2016]Making a mattress to support the body, account for heat, comfort, movement and emissions can be a tricky way to earn a living. Seems an impossible task for a mattress maker, and an equally daunting task for the mattress shopper. Designing and building with all of those factors in mind is tricky because the slightest change of layers, material types, amount of materials and other factors can drastically affect the consumer's experience. One thing we can't control is the way the mattress is used once it leaves the factory. We can suggest, urge, direct and encourage, but not every customer is going to use the mattress in the prescribed way.

This can lead to the mattress, designed to be cool, comfortable and supportive, not performing at its optimum level. Here is a comprehensive list of ways you can make that brand new, supportive mattress, work for at its top level. What Is Your New Mattress On? What you set your mattress on has as much to do with the support of your new mattress as the mattress itself. This is true for all mattresses. The mistakes customers will often make is setting their new mattress on a base which negates the support or the air flow. For example, IKEA makes several models of beds with bowed slats which are flexible. While there are a good amount of slats, these slats bow down with weight, effectively letting the middle of the mattress sag. I have seen several instances of customers complaining their new mattress did not feel the same as the one they tried in the store. Asking them to place the mattress directly on the floor for a night demonstrated just how much a supportive base makes a difference when they find the mattress all of a sudden felt supportive.

Same can be said for older, flexible box springs. These foundations actually have a heavy gauge metal spring system designed to give a little with the mattress. However, many mattress, such as the The Love Bed, are designed to be placed on a non-yielding, non-flexible base. If you require a box spring type foundation, a rigid, breathable box spring foundation like the Simple Life Foundation will give the mattress the proper support your mattress needs. In an attempt to provide proper support, some customers will add a piece of plywood underneath the mattress. The unfortunate side effect of this is cutting off air flow under the mattress. This can lead to the mattress sleeping hot and even the potential of developing mold under the mattress. Lastly, some customers will misunderstand the slatted base requirement and mistake the 3 slats designed to hold a box spring and place their mattress on these 3 slats. The proper slatted support system consists of strong, non-flexible slats with a strong center support which touches the floor.

The slats should be no more than 4" apart.                                                                        Sample of flexible slats, these are BAD! Did You Use Your Old Pillows With Your New Mattress? Your new mattress is probably a lot more supportive than your old mattress. In fact, putting your old pillows on a new mattress is like putting your old tires on your brand new car. If your body has been used to your old, broken down mattress, your old pillow will likely leave your neck either too low or too high, contributing to upper back and neck pain. And this often gets attributed to the new mattress when in fact upgrading to a properly supportive and adjustable pillow, such as The Easy Breather Pillow, can augment your new mattress sleep experience. Give Your New Mattress A Chance With A Proper Adjustment Period. Trust me, it's the last thing you want to hear when you are waking up on that new mattress with soreness. However, it is very common to find a new mattress takes 30-60 days to become comfortable.

The easiest way to think of it is similar to that first day skiing for the season, or the day after that first day back out running; you feel soreness in muscles you didn't know you had. If you have been sleeping on a mattress for years, especially if it is old and has lost its support, your body is going to feel new pains as the body is forced back into new and proper supportive positions. I cannot tell you how many times in my many years in the business I have heard from customers in the first week with comfort complaints only to find they adjusted just a week or so later. If You Can't Stand The Heat, Don't Get Out Of The Bed. Some people sleep hotter than others, and there are other posts here that talk about the reasons why some people will sleep hot. However, I have seen mattresses returned for heat only to find there were other factors involved. Are your sheets really thick or made of microfiber? Is your comforter filled with down and feathers? Is your mattress on a non-breathable base?

Do you have too many covers? These are all factors which can lead to customers finding themselves feeling the heat. While there are many new materials which tout their cooling ability, the best way to make a mattress is to allow for air flow. Heat rises and in its place air should be able to be drawn from around and under your body. Beds made with flat layers of foam which are glued together have a hard time drawing air to cool the body. And some mattresses claim to use foams that draw heat down into the bed, while others claim the fabrics keep the body cool. Heat rises and does not get drawn down into the foam. Nothing like good air flow will cure your heating issues usually. Love That Mattress Pad Your Grandma Gave You? Many customer have a favorite mattress pad or topper they used on their old bed and carry that over to their new mattress. The unfortunate reality is these can drastically change the feel and/or the air flow of the mattress and lead to discomfort. Ask the manufacturer of your mattress what they recommend you use to protect the mattress and ditch the pad.