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my crib just came in. i want a mattress. can anyone help me out? Which is the best mattress for a baby.?

When shopping for: Baby | Posted 07/25/2010 | 142 Views
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Answers: (1)

Jessica_Hagar Posted: 07/25/2010
Ranked: 17th in Mattresses (based on 6 answers )
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When you're shopping for a crib, you'll also need to choose a mattress, which typically is sold separately. Don't underestimate this purchase; a mattress is as important as the crib. After all, your baby will spend a lot of time snoozing--up to 18 hours a day initially--so it's essential to select the best-quality mattress you can afford. Size and firmness are the main concerns. If a mattress is too small, it can leave gaps in the crib that could trap and endanger your baby. If a mattress is too soft, it can conform to your baby's shape, causing a risk of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

There are two general types of crib mattresses: foam and innerspring. Either is an acceptable choice. Both types--if they're good quality--will keep their shape well and provide excellent support for infants and toddlers. There are differences, though. Foam--made from polyurethane--tends to be lighter. The densest foam mattress usually weighs 7 to 8 pounds, compared with the 15 to 23 pounds of an innerspring mattress. So, although you're probably just lifting a corner at a time, changing your baby's sheets may be easier with a foam unit. Foam is also less springy and therefore less likely to encourage your child to use the mattress as a trampoline. Still, innerspring mattresses remain the most popular because they are what most adults sleep on in the U.S.

Mattresses are a "blind" item, meaning that almost everything that matters is on the inside, where you can't see it. A crib mattress can feel great in the store, but begin to falter once your baby starts to use it. We've learned that you can't depend on sales staff, even at reputable retail outlets, to give you accurate information. One salesperson told us, quite convincingly, that innerspring mattresses were better than foam because foam tends to "break down" after 18 months. Twenty-five years ago that may have been true, but not anymore. "A top-quality foam crib mattress will hold up just as long as an innerspring crib mattress, with normal use," says Dennis Schuetz, director of marketing for Colgate Kids, a manufacturer of juvenile mattresses, in Atlanta. That's because foam crib mattresses have become much more durable.
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good-quality mattress, but don't skimp, either. A mattress that costs between $90 and $200 will generally serve your baby well. Prices for foam and innerspring mattress are comparable, ranging from $50 to $530 (for mattress constructed with tufted organic cotton), but you can't go wrong if you spend in the range of $90 to $200. Low-priced models (less than $90) tend to be mushy and flimsy. Higher-priced models tend to be firmer, and therefore safer.

With an innerspring, the number of layers, what each component is made of, and the quality of the covering add to the price and increase comfort. The cheapest foam and innerspring mattresses have thin vinyl coverings and edgings that can tear, crack, and dry out over time. As prices go up, coverings become thick, puncture-resistant, reinforced double or triple laminates. The weight also tends to increase because the innerspring mattress contains more or better-gauge steel and better-quality cushioning while the foam mattress is made of denser, better-quality foam. Reversibility, the presence of ventilators, and thickness are factors that differentiate models.
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