In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We put the top 10 crib mattresses through a detailed side-by-side evaluation to find the best, including brands like Naturepedic, Graco, Babyletto, My Green Mattress, Avocado and more
New parent anxiety and guilt are real. For many parents, this manifests when looking for a healthy crib mattress in a world full of off-gassing foam masquerading as “healthier.” Considering that babies spend most of their first years sleeping, a quality mattress requires serious consideration and investment. Finding a safe, suitable mattress for your baby's first bed is essential for sleep and peace of mind.
We considered over 20 potential contenders, settling on 10 to test hands-on to help you find the best crib mattress for your baby. Our picks focus on quality materials, mattress size and fit, and how easy it is to change the sheets.
Our favorite mattress is the My Green Mattress Emily Natural. This mattress is made of organic cotton, wool, and latex, with organic coconut coir and recycled steel for the innerspring, making it a mattress with excellent transparency and consideration for the baby's well-being. It fits nicely in our test cribs, but it is on the heavier side.
If your budget is smaller, the Babyletto Pure Core with Dry Waterproof Cover is the one to consider. While it is comprised of man-made materials, they aren't petroleum-based and don't off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It is smaller, lightweight, and fits in our test cribs with quick, effortless sheet changes.
The My Green Mattress Emily Natural is an excellent option to avoid synthetic materials. Unlike the Naturepedic brand, My Green Mattress produces ONE crib mattress. The Emily has a soft quilted cover that uses GOTS Certified organic cotton with Oeko-Tex Certified natural wool underneath. We like wool as it regulates temperature, aids in flame resistance, is naturally resistant to dust mites and mold, and includes some water-resistant properties (though not water-proof).
SPECIFICATIONS
Height
6.1 in
Weight
19.4 lb
Length
52.4 in
Width
28.0 in
Mattress Tag Materials
Coconut Pad 80%
Wool Batting 20%
Our tester reports, “I prefer natural materials and think this option strikes a balance between better materials and a reasonable price tag.” The internal structure combines 150 13.5-gauge innerspring coils, all-natural coconut coir (GOTS-certified organic coconut), and GOLS-certified natural latex with heavyweight organic cotton batting. Even though the Emily mattress uses innerspring, it is about 2 lbs lighter in our tests (19.4 lbs) than the Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage (weighing 21.1 lbs). If you don't mind sacrificing natural materials for easier sheet changes, the Babyletto Pure Core was only 12 lbs in our tests. The Emily Natural is also GreenGuard Gold Certified and has excellent customer service.
This mattress had a noticeable natural wool odor in the past. The company changed its wool supplier in December 2016 to attempt to remedy the issue. The new all-natural wool is washed in a GOTS-compliant organic detergent to help decrease the natural smell, and in our most recent purchase in 2025, the stronger wool odor is no longer evident. As our tester stated, “I didn't smell the wool any more than you might on a wool sweater.” This odor is different from off-gassing from synthetic man-made foams. If you want to skip the wool and prefer more traditional materials than coconut, the Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is a classic option with GOTS-certified organic cotton and no off-gassing. Alternatively, the Avocado Organic is a compelling option that includes organic Dunlap latex paired with a coconut pad, organic cotton, and wool, but it is heavier by more than 5 lbs. The Emily Natural has no integrated waterproofing, so we recommend using a waterproof pad like the Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Fitted Crib Pad to keep your mattress clean.
The My Green Mattress is one of the most impressive options in the group.
The Babyletto Pure Core with Dry Waterproof Cover utilizes a recyclable polyethylene mattress core that exceeds flammability standards using 80% modacrylic and 20% polyester fiber batting instead of chemical flame retardants. It is a good choice for those with allergies and asthma, and it has zero odor and dual firmness. The Dry Cover has a polyester outer and an inner cotton lining that is waterproof and easily wipeable for clean-up; it is washable and feels soft.
The Pure Core mattress can come with either the Dry Waterproof Cover, which is water-repellant/moisture-wicking and Oeko-Tex certified, or the Babyletto Hybrid Waterproof Cover, which has a waterproof inner and organic cotton outer layer. We recommend purchasing a second replacement cover for easy wash rotation. Trust us. You'll need it. This mattress is also lightweight, weighing 12 lbs in our tests. This featherweight makes it one of the lightest top-ranked options in the group for easier sheet changes, even in the middle of the night when you're sleep-deprived.
This mattress is not organic because it is made almost entirely of man-made materials, but it is Greenguard Gold certified, which is admirable. This could be a deal breaker for some looking for natural materials or certified organic options. If you are looking for more natural materials or those certified organic, the My Green Mattress Emily or the Avocado Organic are good choices that might fit the bill better. However, our tester noted, “I think parents need to consider the weight of the more natural options and their ability to lift them compared to the lightweight advantage of the Babyletto.” However, if you are okay with artificial materials free of chemical flame retardants, allergens, polyurethane, soy foam, vinyl (PVC), PFCs, synthetic latex, and dyes, and want easier sheet changes, the Babyletto is a potential choice.
Foam Mattresses May Not Work With Movement Monitor Mattress Sensor Pads
Because movement sensor pads rely on vibration feedback from the mattress to determine if the baby is moving/breathing regularly, a foam mattress is often incompatible as it can reduce movement, so the sensor pad doesn't “sense” it. While the Babyletto and other densified materials aren't “foam” mattresses, they may have similar properties that make them less compatible with movement pad monitors. Luckily, movement monitors are making leaps and bounds in technology, and many attach to clothing or use cameras to monitor breathing, so your mattress choice can stand alone.
With a budget-friendlier price, the Babyletto excels in most test metrics.
The Newton Original is a synthetic, springless, foamless mattress that utilizes recyclable food-grade polyethylene polymer in the mattress core. Newton differentiates the Original from similar synthetic competitors with its core's unique fabrication and shower washability. It's pretty cool how they manipulate polyethylene into something that resembles a block of dried ramen noodles. Newton claims that 90% of the mattress core is air. Now that's innovative!
SPECIFICATIONS
Height
5.5 in
Weight
13.8 lb
Length
52.3 in
Width
28.4 in
Mattress Tag Materials
Polyethylene pad 74%
Polyester fiber pad 16%
Blended fiber felt 10% (Rayon 80% Polyester 20%)
Cover: Polyester Fiber Pad 100%
The Newton is a great choice for those with a history of asthma and allergies, as the core and cover are entirely washable (in the shower) and resistant to mites and microbial growth. It is somewhat lighter, with a weight of 13.8 lbs in our tests, which is about 2 lbs heavier than the manufacturer recommends and significantly heavier than the Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage with a weight of only 7.3 lbs.
Along with the removable, washable, 100% polyester dual-layer cover, you can wash the core in the bathtub or shower (cold water only). According to Newton, the core is air dry only, which takes 2 to 6 hours, depending on ventilation and your local humidity levels. We recommend investing in an additional safe sleep area like a top-ranked travel crib to use if your little one needs a nap while the main mattress finishes drying. Also, Newton claims their cover is water-resistant, not waterproof, and they recommended the cover be machine-dried on cool or air-dried. The Newton's cover is somewhat rougher to the touch, so using a crib sheet to help avoid irritation is a good choice. Also, although the Wovenaire is Greenguard Gold certified, a short period of airing outside may be helpful if you detect any odor. Last, we don't like the "breathable" marketing of the Newton and worry parents will put babies to sleep on their stomachs, believing the mattress design allows them to do this. DO NOT DO THIS! The only safe sleep position for babies is on their back.
The Newton is one of the most unique mattresses in the group, and it has a lightweight design that you can wash in the shower.
One of our favorite baby crib mattresses is the Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage. Its sturdy construction feels built to last with appropriate firmness and superior edge support for safe sleep. The 2-stage option provides a firm infant side and a toddler side with slightly more give. The materials are top-notch (i.e., GOTS-certified organic cotton and heavy-duty 150-coil steel innerspring), making it potentially a better selection for those with allergies or asthma. There is no polyurethane foam in any Naturepedic mattress, and they don't use flame retardants in any product.
SPECIFICATIONS
Height
6.8 in
Weight
21.1 lb
Length
52.3 in
Width
28.1 in
Mattress Tag Materials
Fabric: GOTS certified organic cotton; Non-GMO
Fill: GOTS certified organic cotton; Non-GMO
PLA: from food-grade sugarcane; Non-GMO
Support: food-grade polyethylene; Non-GMO
Waterproofing: food-grade polyethylene from sugarcane; Non-GMO
Innerspring: 150 coil count
Secondary tag:
All new material consisting of staple cotton batting 61%
PLA - Polylactide batting 28%
Polyethylene foam pad 11%
This mattress has no chemical odor and is GreenGuard Gold Certified. Its food-grade polyethylene cover is waterproof and seamless, which makes cleaning easy, protects the interior from dust mites, and reduces the potential for microbial growth. Our in-lab tester stated, “This is one of the few we tested that is waterproof, which I think is handy, especially as kids get older and urinate more at night.”
Because of its innerspring construction, this Naturepedic is one of the heaviest at a measured weight of 21.1 lbs in our tests. This heft means it might require more muscle to lift it when changing fitted sheets. This could be a challenge if you have weight limitations after giving birth or loathe the idea of struggling with sheet changes. If you want a Naturpedic but need something lighter weight, the Naturepedic Organic - Dual Firmness uses a wave of dense foam inside instead of coils, which makes it much lighter, weighing only 11.3 lbs. If you are looking for a non-waterproof cover, this one is also not the best choice, as it uses food-grade polyethylene for waterproofing. The My Green Mattress Emily Natural and the Avocado Organic lack waterproofing. Last, while this mattress's measurements are within the standard size, its corners are square, so it may not fit well in every crib. The crib mattress plus crib combination can be a frustrating dilemma. We suggest purchasing from a retailer with a generous return policy (like Amazon) if the products don't combine the way they should. After pairing it with 5 of our favorite cribs, our tester stated, “I can see how some cribs will make sheet changes more challenging, especially if the platform is deep.” Overall, we think the Naturepedic is an impressive choice for those looking for a more traditionally designed innerspring mattress using organic materials.
The innerspring design makes the Naturepedic a heavy but sturdy and firm mattress built to last.
The Avocado Organic is a high-quality crib mattress with an impressive and highly transparent list of materials. Avocado uses cutting-edge materials that are primarily souced as GOTS Organic certifications. Be it cotton, wool, tape, or coconut, each component is certified. Even the Dulap latex on the toddler side of the dual-sided mattress is organic.
Our tester reported, “I can see and feel the difference between this option and the other contenders; it feels more like a traditional quality mattress and less like a cheap rectangle of foam.”
The impressive materials and thoughtful design have created a larger and significantly heavier mattress. Weighing 25.6 lbs, its closest competitor weight-wise is the innerspring Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage with a weight of 21.2 lbs. This weight could make it a struggle for some parents to lift and manipulate for sheet changes. Since most babies require frequent (possibly nightly) sheet changes, this workout can feel offensive or impossible. The Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage is significantly lighter at only 7.3 lbs in our tests and could be a better choice for those who worry about wrestling with a mattress while sleep-deprived. This option also fits in most of our test cribs better without being as snug as the Avocado. Our in-lab tester states, “Whew! This mattress is a beast, and I can't imagine lifting it after giving birth or having a c-section.” The Avocado is also expensive with one of the highest prices in the group. This price could easily make it a no-go for families on smaller budgets. The My Green Mattress Emily Natural also has impressive materials and could save you over a hundred dollars, or the Babyletto Pure Core with Dry Waterproof Cover is a potential option at half the price, but it is made of man-made materials. Overall, if budget is no concern, we think the Avocado offers the most impressive and eco-friendly materials in the bunch.
The Avocado is an organic mattress using innovative materials like coconut and GOLS-certified latex.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Babyletto x Avocado
While we didn't test it, it looks like Avocado and Babyletto have come together to create a very compelling crib mattress called the Babyletto x Avocado. This crib mattress is an innerspring base with coconut coir, wool, latex, and cotton. It uses GOTS and GOLS-certified materials and is Greenguard Gold certified. Unlike the Avocado we tested, this option has an innerspring similar to the My Green Mattress design, and it seems worthy of consideration.
Compare Products
Crib mattresses (shown here) are offered in a diverse array of materials, with many natural options, including latex and coconut coir. Unfortunately, bassinet mattresses are lagging, with polyurethane foam dominating the market.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
How We Test Crib Mattresses
Choosing crib mattresses worthy of consideration was a labor of love that took more than a year to complete. We were looking for healthy and organic options in multiple price categories to help provide readers with a comprehensive list. We considered more than 30 potential mattresses for inclusion and omitted those with significant off-gassing concerns, greenwashing marketing, or some level of material transparency.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ultimately, we purchased each mattress and tested it alongside the competition, including cutting them in half to see what was inside. We looked at the materials used, the quality of the construction, potential odors, how well they fit in our baby cribs, and how hard the sheets were to change before choosing award winners.
While not made of natural materials, the Lullaby doesn't include polyurethane and is lightweight.
The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage includes an innerspring and natural materials like organic wool and cotton.
We cut each mattress in half to see up close and personal what was inside.
Why Trust GearLab
This review was led by a board-certified pediatrician and BabyGearLab founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Juliet Spurrier, MD, a mom of 2, was instrumental in the mattress selection process. She used her knowledge as a physician to help investigate and choose healthy and more eco-friendly products than the competition. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Editor and mother of 2, rounds out the mattress team. Wendy's obsession with baby mattresses began with her first child's birth and hasn't stopped since. In her quest to find an odor-free and natural mattress for her son, Wendy purchased and returned more than four products that failed to live up to the hype or marketing for natural, limited off-gassing, or odor-free claims.
Needless to say, both mothers take this topic and gear category very seriously, which is why this review contains a significant amount of information about materials, greenwashing, and health, and why only a few products made the list of contenders. When making our product selections, we considered eco-health, materials, and ease of use.
The Avocado is a straightforward mattress with useful layers of GOTS and GOLS certified materials that are natural and do not contain VOCs.
Each mattress was cut open during testing to see what was on the inside.
Analysis and Test Results
So, you thought buying a mattress was as simple as finding a good fit at the right price. However, there are other things you should consider concerning materials and everyday use as you will use this product for 2-3 years. We tested materials, crib fit, and ease of use.
What's the Best Value?
The best value in this group of crib mattresses is the Babyletto Pure Core with Dry Waterproof Cover. This mattress is polyurethane-free and doesn't off-gas. We like the organic cotton cover and the polyethylene waterproof layer and think they are of good value for what you get. If you need something lightweight and less expensive, the Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage is also an impressive contender. It is super lightweight, making it great for petite parents during sheet changes, and it does not use petroleum-based foam; instead, it utilizes polyester fiber and polyethylene foam. These two have similar price tags, and the cheaper option largely depends on sales and is a nominal difference.
Buy the Best Crib Mattress Within Your Budget
You get what you pay for when it comes to mattresses, and your baby will appreciate it if you spend the most your budget allows. While there are bargains to find in baby gear, we believe that buying a crib mattress is not the time to look for savings by purchasing a low-quality mattress. However, we understand that some budgets are tight, and we've made every effort to include budget-friendly choices that avoid off-gassing and potentially toxic materials.
The crib mattresses we tested swing wildly from off-gassing foam to natural materials like coconut coir.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Materials
Companies specializing in crib mattresses (i.e., Naturepedic) tend to have healthier, better products than large conglomerates (i.e., Kolcraft/Sealy, Serta/Delta Children's). While not a hard and fast rule, it rings true for the most part. There are things you should look for when deciding, no matter what the brand or marketing hype. The materials are important, and we can't emphasize enough that you should pay attention to the materials and their certifications.
Mattresses can be made from various materials, from polyurethane to organic cotton and natural latex. Some have foam components to create firmness, while others have inner coil springs. We recommend choosing as natural as possible and paying attention to certifications to help your baby avoid inhaling VOCs during sleep.
The Newton Original has a unique interior structure akin to ramen noodles that is both firm and lightweight.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The highest-scoring mattress for our materials tests was the Avocado Organic. This mattress offers detailed transparency on the individual components and construction and incorporates materials like organic cotton, wool, coconut, GOLS-certified latex, and more. The My Green Mattress Emily Natural and the Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage come in a close second with similar material choices and impressive transparency right down to the percentage of each material being used.
The Moonlight includes a fire retardant “sock” over polyurethane foam in two different densities for a “dual-sided” mattress.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The poorest performers for materials were the Graco Premium Foam and the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer. Both use polyurethane foam pads, and while the Moonlight has a Greenguard Gold certification, it took several emails and a phone call with customer service to get details on the materials they use in the mattress. We think companies offering transparency should be valued over those reluctant to be forthcoming.
Mattress materials vary greatly, with a vast difference from brand to brand in the types of materials and the way they are constructed.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Material Considerations
What a mattress is made of might surprise you and be somewhat of a mystery. We think you should know more, so we offer guidance on what you might consider when looking at any crib mattress. We contacted the manufacturers for all the nitty-gritty details for each mattress we tested, and we cut the mattresses open to see what was inside. May it never be a mystery again.
Unlike polyurethan foam, most densified polyester pads do not have an offensive or chemical odor, like the Babyletto shown here.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Odor-Free
Some mattresses emit a strange chemical smell or off-gassing, otherwise known as volatile organic (not the cool kind) compounds (VOCs). If you choose a mattress with that “new” smell, we recommend airing it out until it dissipates. Looking for Greenguard Gold Certification can help reduce VOCs and other toxins. Choosing natural products that don't off-gas is the best option if your budget allows it.
Wool, like that seen in the Naturpedic and Avocado mattresses, is a natural flame retardant that meets the safety standard without the use of harmful chemicals.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Flame Retardant-Free
We recommend choosing mattresses free of chemical flame retardants. This means that the product meets the flammability and smoldering laws without using chemicals that could potentially be harmful. Natural wool is excellent at offering flame resistance without chemicals.
Some crib mattresses still legally use flame retardants. We believe it is critical to consider the materials or chemicals included in what your baby sleeps on. With changes for flammability and smoldering limits of upholstered furniture laws in 2013, Technical Bulletin 117-2013, manufacturers have more freedom in creating safe mattresses without chemical flame retardants. We recommend looking for flame-retardant-free mattresses and using your purchasing power to encourage manufacturers to make safer products. Chemical-free products are safe and meet flammability safety requirements without the use of potentially harmful chemicals.
The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless has an innerspring foundation that helps create a sturdy mattress, but it comes at a price with a heavier weight.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Innerspring
A traditional innerspring mattress has inner metal coils for firmness and support. They are cumbersome compared to foam and polyester products, but the innerspring options in this review also use more natural materials.
The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage includes GOTS-certified cotton and wool.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Textiles: Cotton and Wool
We prefer natural textiles like GOTS-certified cotton and wool. These materials improve the mattress's health and can be crucial for children with allergies or asthma. The GOTS standard includes the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distributing of textiles that are at least 70% certified natural organic fibers.
Credit: GOTS
Products that carry the GOTS label of “organic” must have a minimum of 95% certified organic fibers, and products labeled “made with organic” must have a minimum of 70% certified organic fibers. These certifications give discerning parents confidence in their purchases. There are other cool things about being GOTS certified (for the environment and fellow humans), and we encourage you to read more about it.
The Avocado is one of the only options in our review with a substantial amount of the latest in mattress design.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Latex
Latex is an excellent alternative to memory foam and traditional mattresses. Natural latex is breathable, supportive, renewable, and antimicrobial (they even repel dust mites!). These properties make it ideal for people with asthma, allergies, or other chemical sensitivities. It can come in a 100% natural, synthetic, or blend. You'll want to investigate to see precisely what kind of latex a potential mattress uses so you can determine if it meets your needs and health or environmental goals.
Credit: GOLS
We prefer natural latex and encourage parents to look for GOLS Certified Latex, which is processed with only natural ingredients, or a 100% natural designation to avoid unintentionally buying a synthetic blend. A certification from the Control Union Certifications is the first global standard for organic latex. GOLS defines requirements for latex products from organic raw materials and non-organic materials.
Latex Allergies
Most people with latex allergies or sensitivities can safely use a latex mattress. The user is not exposed to the latex portion of the product, and it doesn't off-gas. Because mattresses are traditionally encased in cotton or other natural fibers, the potential for exposure to latex is virtually non-existent if the mattress is in good condition. Discuss with your doctor if you have a significant latex allergy or other concerns. In our experience, most latex mattress manufacturers have a very generous return policy, as long as the mattress is not stained or damaged.
While the idea of coconut coir in a mattress might seem odd at first, it is an environmentally friendly material that creates a firm yet comfortable sleep surface without using man-made foams. This is the My Green Mattress.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Coconut Coir
Coconut coir may conjure up thoughts of the coconut's hard shell, but this material is much softer and firm enough to provide infants with adequate support. Coir is a natural product that is free of harsh chemicals and flame retardants, making it an excellent choice for families looking for natural alternatives. It is firm, springy, breathable, durable, and allergen-free. Coconut coir can be found in the Emily Natural by My Green Mattress and Avocado Organic.
Polyurethane foam, like that shown here in the Graco Premium Foam, is a petroleum product created through a chemical reaction that continues to emit VOCs for the product's life.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Polyurethane Foam
Some foams are better than others, and certified foams are potentially better than those without certifications. However, we are not fans of polyurethane foam, no matter its certification or what percentage comes from plants. Foams are petroleum-based products with added chemicals to create the cellular foam structure, and as a result, they emit VOCs. VOCs create an unhealthy breathing environment that can potentially cause health problems.
Which certifications apply to foam products?
Credit: Wendy Schmitz
The CertiPUR CertiPUR-US foam certification is a group comprised and run by the foam industry. This certification checks for banned chemicals and tests for VOCs up to a specific limit that is defined by foam producers. While we concede this is better than nothing, this isn't the best certification as the certifier benefits ($$) from certifying foam as they work in foam production and sales. In our opinion, it is similar to the fox guarding the henhouse. Would you trust a fox to protect your chickens? Would you trust the foam seller to tell you if the foam is safe?
Credit: Wendy Schmitz
GreenGuard is a third-party governing body that tests and certifies materials used in building products, furniture, and other items to ensure “better” indoor air quality. The certification allows for no greater than 1/100 of the currently published ACGIH® Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and no greater than one-half of California's Chronic Reference Exposure Levels (CRELs).
We prefer GreenGuard certifications over CertiPUR. GreenGuard is a third-party tester, and CertiPUR is owned and operated by those who benefit from the sale of foam. Neither certification means the foam is as safe as organic or natural materials, nor does it mean no VOCs, non-toxic, or even a “safe level of VOCs,” as no one has yet determined a “safe” level of VOCs might be.
Don't Forget
Foam-based mattresses may not work with some movement monitors. If you hope to use a sensor pad mattress movement monitor, you'll want to find a good innerspring mattress and skip the foam to ensure compatibility. Check your monitor user guide for more details.
The Newton Original has a cover that is machine washable and a pad that can be cleaned in the shower, making waterproofing optional.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Waterproofing
Not all baby mattresses are waterproof. However, a waterproof mattress is handy when your baby has a blowout or vomits, and you need to clean things up to go back to bed. The mattress must contain some synthetic material to create a waterproof surface, and many current options are potentially toxic. So, what is the point of making an organic mattress only to wrap it in an off-gassing material? Good question! Finding a good water-proofer that doesn't ruin a natural mattress can be tricky and often comes down to choosing the lesser potential evils.
The waterproofing material we prefer is polyethylene, which is non-toxic and relatively inert and traditionally found in products that come in contact with food. This coating is in the Naturepedic mattress and some mattress covers. Alternatively, we are not fans of vinyl. Vinyl off-gasses and some types can crack or break down, making it a poor option for long-term use. There are different types of vinyl, but in our experience contacting manufacturers, it is challenging or impossible to get them to identify what kind they use. This lack of information leaves us to assume that their vinyl could off-gas into your baby's sleeping environment. If we weren't sure about waterproofing material, we always attempted to contact the manufacturer for more information. Not all of them responded.
"Medical grade" Waterproofing
Several Sealy mattresses claim “medical grade” waterproofing. We emailed Sealy three times asking what this was and received no answer. We also scoured their website to no avail. Without information from the manufacturer, it is impossible to determine what this claim means. We will say that “Staph-Guard” is likely an unnecessary chemical additive. We recommend avoiding most chemicals, especially those you can't identify. This advice holds especially true when the manufacturer won't identify the materials when you contact them. While we can't remark on the efficacy of this kind of product, we feel confident it is likely unnecessary for an at-home mattress.
If the mattress you choose doesn't have a waterproof cover, it is critical that you use a waterproof pad or added cover to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside the mattress once it gets “wet.” We like the Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Fitted Crib Pad. Some parents prefer the all-natural option of 100% wool “piddle pads,” which repel liquids but aren't waterproof. If you choose this route, you must catch accidents immediately and clean and dry your mattress properly after every incident. You might consider the Newton Original mattress if you prefer a wool pad. This mattress is completely washable, so a waterproof cover isn't essential, and a wool pad could work well. Whether or not you waterproof your crib mattress is up to you.
We measured and weighed each mattress to help us determine how difficult changing sheets might be, as it could be a daily occurrence for some kiddos.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sheet Changing
While a mattress sits immobile in your crib most of the time, it's weight and size matter when you lift and move it to change the sheet or keep it clean. If you have trouble lifting heavier items or don't want to, you'll want to look for a lightweight product that offers some wiggle room for lifting and maneuvering.
The Avocado Organic Crib Mattress is 25.6 lbs, by far the heaviest of the crib mattresses we tested. Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage comes in second with a weight of 21.1 lbs thanks to the 150 steel innerspring; both options might be a no-go for some. Alternatively, the Babyletto Pure Core with Dry Waterproof Cover is closer to 12 lbs, and the Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage is only 7.3 lbs. As the lightest option in the group, it is definitely the right choice if you struggle to manage heavier things. Both are made from a densified polyester/polyethylene combination that doesn't off-gas like polyurethane foam.
Being able to change your crib mattress sheet is important for quick middle-of-the-night messes.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
While mattresses largely must be a standard size as defined by the law, they do vary somewhat and having one that is too small can be unsafe, while having one too big can mean wrestling to free your mattress from the crib. Tugging and lifting a snug mattress or any weight is more challenging than a slightly smaller or lighter option would be. The longest mattress in the group is the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer at 53 inches, when the average was closer to 52, and the minimum required is 51.625. The Graco Premium Foam is the widest at 29 inches, while many are closer to 28 inches, and the minimum requirement is 27.25 in. While an inch either way may seem insignificant, depending on your crib and how the two marry together it can impact your daily use experience keeping things clean.
Some mattresses fit better in some cribs during testing, but overall, only a few combinations were a no-go.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Crib Fit
We purchased 10 cribs for our best cribs review and 10 crib mattresses for this review and played a version of the dating game between the products to assess how well each mattress fit in each crib. Our goal was to identify any outliers or pairings that could spell trouble or mattresses that might struggle to fit in most cribs in general.
The Avocado is heavier and larger than some competitors, and fitting in our smallest test crib was more challenging than some lighter-weight competitors. However, it did fit.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
While none of the mattresses were so big they created an impossible fit, some definitely were more snug than we'd like and made lifting the mattress a struggle. The mattresses that fit in most cribs without leaving excessive gaps or being too snug were the Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage, My Green Mattress Emily Natural, and Newton Original. The mattresses that offered the worst fit in more than a couple of cribs were the Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness, which is one of the longest in the group, and the Lullaby Earth Breeze 2-Stage, which was one of the smallest and prone to larger gaps. The Babyletto Pure Core offers a somewhat better fit in many cribs but was tight in one of the smaller cribs.
Some mattresses offer a firm infant side and a softer toddler side, like the Avocado that has a coconut coir firm side and a latex side for older babies.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Guidelines for Safe Sleeping Environment
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its safe sleep guidelines; this is your best source for safe sleeping information. Given the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) concern, you must create and maintain a safe sleeping environment for your baby for every single sleep.
Babies should always be put to sleep on their backs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Back to Sleep
Sleeping on their back is the only safe position for sleeping babies to help avoid SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “Back to Sleep” campaign encourages and educates parents to place babies on their backs to sleep every time. Studies indicate that little ones sleeping on their back are far less likely to have breathing difficulties that lead to SIDs. This back sleeping dramatically reduces the risk of SIDS. Studies show that sleeping on their stomach increases a baby's risk of SIDS by two-fold. Since the campaign launch in 1994, the number of infants who have died from SIDS has decreased by over half! Now that is something to celebrate and more than enough evidence to support the back-to-sleep movement.
SIDS is also associated with other preventable situations like a stomach or side-sleep position, bed-sharing, too much bundling, a covered head, an overheated environment, and smoking in the home.
The Avocado is a dual-sided mattress with an extra firm side for infants and a softer latex side for toddlers.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Firm Surface
A firm sleeping surface is critical for a great infant mattress, so set your sleeping preferences aside. Cushy memory foam toppers, sheepskin, fluffy down, or hammocks are not safe for babies. Some crib mattresses provide dual firmness (called two stages), with an extra-firm side for infants and a firm but slightly softer side for toddlers. The firm surface helps prevent the mattress from indenting under the baby's weight for safer sleep. If the surface indents and your baby rolls to their stomach, rolling back over or breathing unobstructed can be challenging.
If your mattress has dual sides, you want to ensure you are using the right side for the right stage level.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Any infant mattress you choose should have firm edge support that doesn't sag or significantly compress when pushed. This design helps prevent the entrapment of smaller baby parts between the crib slats and mattress. Foam mattresses often have squishier edges than innerspring, making edge inspection even more important. If the sides are easy to squash, you should return the mattress and look elsewhere.
You also need to be aware of the dangers of sagging mattresses. Our analysis shows a trend toward bio/plant-based foams significantly sagging over a short time—manufacturers like Colgate Eco and Sealy Soy-Foam blend soy-based oil with polyurethane foam. If you choose this kind of product (which we don't recommend), you should pay extra attention when the product is new and every time you change the sheet to ensure sagging doesn't become a problem.
The Babyletto includes useful information on which side goes up when.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Babies Sleep in Their Own Space
Besides a traditional crib with a crib mattress, acceptable sleep areas for a baby include a favorite bassinet (until 4 to 5 months old) or a travel crib designed specifically for sleeping. It is unsafe for babies to sleep in the same bed with others or on couches or other furniture. It is also unsafe for a baby to sleep in their car seat carrier, swing, bouncer, or similar gear because it can potentially cause airway obstruction when their head falls forward onto their chest. Do not get into the habit of leaving your little one sleeping in these potentially compromising situations. While a swing might soothe them to sleep, the risks are not worth the moments of peace.
Mattresses should fit snugly in the crib without gaps (maximum a 2-finger gap is allowed).
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Snug Fit
Mattresses should fit snuggly inside the crib with less than a two-finger width gap between the mattress's edge and the crib frame. If your mattress and crib combo has a wider gap, you'll need to purchase a different mattress or crib to ensure a safe sleeping environment.
A crib should include a mattress and a well-fitted sheet only. No bumpers, pillows, blankets or other items should be in the crib with the baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Bare Crib
Babies should sleep in a bare crib. While this isn't Instagram-worthy, a crib without bumpers, soft bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, and toys is the only safe way to sleep. The only things that should be in the crib are the mattress with a tightly fitted sheet and your baby asleep on their back.
New Mattress with Each Baby
Regarding beds, the recommendation is that every baby should have a new mattress. A Scotish study shows there is an increased risk of SIDs with the use of a used crib mattress. The risk increases if the mattress comes from another home instead of being used by a sibling. This recommendation means no hand-me-down mattresses. However, as long as the crib is in good shape and adheres to current crib safety guidelines, the crib itself can pass from one child to another.
Newton markets itself as a “breathable” mattress. While we understand the idea, this is not an excuse or reason to stray from safe sleeping practices that include always placing your baby on their back to sleep to help avoid SIDs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Breathable Mattresses: Evidence-Based or Marketing Hype?
Some mattresses claim to be “breathable.” While we love innovative and potentially better or safer mattresses for babies that can potentially help prevent re-breathing carbon dioxide, we worry the marketing will encourage or mislead parents into disregarding the “back to sleep” recommendations that have been saving babies' lives since 1994. These breathable claims prey on parents' fears of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs) based on the presumed reduced re-breathing of carbon dioxide. However, “breathable” products WON'T prevent re-breathing, and sleeping on their stomachs can lead to SIDs for reasons other than re-breathing. For example, reduced cerebral oxygenation, impaired arouse-ability in young infants, and altered cardiovascular control/lower blood pressure (circulatory failure in 2-3-month-olds). Also, several studies indicate that tummy sleeping in very young infants (<5 months) increases the risk of cardiovascular collapse and decreased respiratory drive, irrespective of re-breathing carbon dioxide.
Don't buy into the breathable hype. If you prefer a breathable mattress, that's cool. We like the innovative Newton Original because it is also easier to keep clean than a traditional mattress. However, even with these types of mattresses, you should ALWAYS practice safe sleeping, including putting the baby to sleep on their back. Every. Single. Time.
Moonlight SAlumber has fallen under scrutiny in the past for deceptive greenwashing by giving its products a “Seal” that had no merit or supporting evidence.
Credit: FTC
What is GreenWashing?
Greenwashing is any marketing or branding that intentionally uses misleading language to make you believe a product is healthy, good for you, or environmentally friendly (green) when it isn't. This marketing hype is an intentional deception by the manufacturer to persuade you to buy products you believe are eco-friendly or non-toxic when, in reality, they are neither.
Being green is fantastic, and when a product is 100% organic, GOTS certified, B Company certified, etc., the marketing is just “green.” When a company uses terms like “eco-friendlier,” "eco-foam," or “hypoallergenic,” it can potentially be greenwashing, as these terms do not mean anything. We encourage consumers to question and investigate ALL claims, especially if the claims seem vague, undefined, or too good to be true. In our extensive mattress investigation, we saw a disturbing amount of greenwashing and misleading language in the mattress industry. This deceptive language can make it extremely challenging to find healthy products for children.
So, how do you recognize greenwashing? In our experience, we encountered significant greenwashing. So much so that we decided to help others identify greenwashing when they see it. If you deep dive into mattresses and see any of the following words or eco-labels, you may be being greenwashed: eco-friendlier, eco-foam, certified, hypoallergenic, plant-infused, soy foam, and any language that feels vague or deceptive. Here are some popular terms and why they aren't as innocuous as you think.
Eco-friendlier/Eco-foam — The phrases imply that the product is good for the environment or at least better for the environment than other foam mattresses. We think this claim comes from 24-27% “plant materials” in their “urethane foam.” Polyurethane foam traditionally uses petroleum with additional chemicals (catalysts) that create a chain reaction to produce foam. While some companies might be using a certain percentage of renewable plant resources, the foam still requires significant petroleum and the same potentially harmful chemicals for the reaction to create the foam cell structure. As a result, the mattress still off-gases VOCs and contains the same materials we dislike in polyurethane. Also, it is not environmentally friendly (as it implies). It is still a petroleum-based foam with a similar carbon footprint as regular polyurethane. However, it often costs more than the competition as the manufacturer hopes you'll buy into the hype and spend more on an Earth “friendlier” mattress.
Plant Infused/Soy Foam/Natural Foam — We saw these ambiguous phrases in advertising that use a percentage of plant oil in their foam. They are often CertiPur or GreenGold certified, and many claim to be “good for your baby” or “natural” foam. However, these foam products still contain petroleum and toxic chemicals that emit VOCs. The fact that it includes a small percentage of plant oil is irrelevant. The final product comprises similar properties as the polyurethane foam it claims to be better than. To be clear, there is no such thing as a natural “foam” unless it describes natural latex.
Hypoallergenic — You'll see this term in lots of marketing. It means nothing. Consumers falsely assume it means that a product is suitable for allergies or asthma. Maybe you think it means the product is inert or doesn't cause allergic reactions. But does it mean this? Hypoallergenic is an “unregulated” word with no actual or agreed-upon definition in any industry. Any company can use the phrase without testing or offering supportive evidence to indicate what the claim is based on. This lack of regulation means that hypoallergenic means something different to every company. Unfortunately, you can't be sure what it means from product to product or even if the company has done testing to support it. Labeling any foam mattress as “hypoallergenic” is intentionally misleading as the chemicals that make the foam can be toxic and unhealthy, and the foam itself off-gases.
Buyer Beware
We wish that all mattress manufacturers were transparent about the materials they use. Unfortunately, most are not, and the law does not require them to tell the consumer the details. As a result of this lack of transparency, we think you should spend your valuable money with companies that believe in and respect your “right to know.” We encourage everyone to reward transparent companies that relay the entire truth by choosing to purchase their products when they meet your needs and goals. At the very least, we encourage parents to avoid buying from companies that use greenwashing and misleading language to influence or confuse consumers about their products or materials.
Want more information on what's inside the mattress?
While potentially outdated with a publish date of 2011, this overview of crib mattresses and what they contain is a great place for you to learn more about mattresses and your baby's sleep surface.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
How to Pick the Best Crib Mattress
After spending too much time choosing mattresses for our babies, we know exactly how hard it is to find a safe, non-off-gassing mattress that works well with your chosen crib. Keeping a few things in mind can help you narrow the field to some excellent options.
What is inside a mattress is important for the wealth and well-being of developing systems.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
What's Inside?
We found a lot of greenwashing in mattress manufacturers. Why? Materials and how a mattress is constructed are so important, and if a manufacturer's mattress can't measure up, they often mislead the user. We prefer natural, organic materials when possible. We encourage you to look for material transparency and choose the best mattress you can afford.
Weight
You will be changing sheets regularly. Babies often urinate excessively at night, and they typically need clothes and sheet changes. Lifting and maneuvering the mattress could be a daily event. Some mattresses are pretty heavy, and bending into a crib to lift them out might be challenging, depending on your height, strength, and ability.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Choose Your Crib
While cribs and mattresses should be standard sizes, this doesn't mean they always match up. You should check any mattress with your crib to ensure they go together well.
Check out our review on the Best Baby Crib to get more help finding an excellent crib. We bought and tested various cribs in different styles and price points. There is something for almost everyone.
Finding a great crib mattress that offers transparent materials and an eco-friendly design is important.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Conclusion
We considered over 100 crib mattresses, searching for healthy and safer products we would confidently use with our babies. Finding an excellent crib mattress isn't as exhausting as it once was, but it still isn't as easy as napping, given that popular and budget options are often not the best. Thankfully, you have more organic and low off-gassing mattresses to choose from than ever before. Far more companies are manufacturing eco-healthy products (less off-gassing/natural materials) than ever. We recommend choosing the best product with the healthiest materials that align with your budget.
If you plan to do your own analysis, we recommend staying vigilant about greenwashing and avoiding off-gassing materials (i.e., polyurethane foam and vinyl) if your budget allows. Babies spend significant time in their cribs, so we believe you should choose the highest-quality, healthiest mattress possible. We prefer natural materials (i.e., latex and cotton) over those filled with chemicals (i.e., foam, vinyl, and other additives) to help create a healthier environment.
