Crib Mattress Safety.

Home > Crib safety standards > Crib mattress safety

"What are the right crib mattress dimensions?"

Consumer safety alert from CPSC on crib mattress safety.

Consumer Product Safety Commission warn parents that air mattresses and other soft surfaces as waterbeds and adult beds are not safe for infant use.

Since 2002 CPSC has received reports of 16 deaths, where infants younger than 8 months were placed to sleep on air mattresses.

 

 

How Do You Choose A Safe Baby Crib Mattress?

 

 

• The mattress should fit snugly in your baby's crib.The crib mattress size should be at least 51 5/8 inch. long and 27 1/4 inch. wide and leaving no gaps between the crib and the mattress. The mattress should be no more than 6 inch. thick.
  
  
• It needs to be firm and solid so baby's face can not sink in the mattress.
  
  
• A foam mattress is as good as a coil mattress, only foam mattresses are lighter and easier to handle.A good mattress does not have to be expensive. Prices can range from $50 to $550 for foam for coil or inner spring mattresses.
  
  
• A bit more expensive but definitely the safest choice is an Organic Baby Mattress.
  
  
• Check the fabric that covers the mattress. Multi-layer covers usualy last longer.Some crib mattresses have an anti-microbial layer on top.
  
  
• If you want a good quality infant mattress look for the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) seal.

 

The following top rated crib mattresses are made according phthalates standards set forth by the CPSC and meet federal flammability standard 16 CFR 1633.

Sealy Baby Posturepedic Crown Jewel Mattress

Serta Nightstar Extra Firm Crib Mattress

 

Crib mattress safety tips:

You may also like Crib safety standards Bumper pad safety Crib net safety Co-sleeping safety

Better avoid a used crib mattress. They have been linked to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The theory that toxic nerve gasses created when fungus grows inside the mattress cause SIDS. For the prevention of SIDS it is better to buy a new mattress even if the old mattress looks in perfect condition,

However if you are on a budget and want to use the same mattress you used for your first child, another option is to use mattress cover from Protect-A-Bed

 

Back to baby crib safety page.