Selecting the right crib mattress is no small task. You need to find the perfect mattress to suit your upcoming bundle of joy. And unlike searching for a mattress for yourself, you can’t really test it out other than a simple hand press and swipe to feel the material. And you might want to consider very specific features. Simmons crib mattresses, and related accessories, are available in a variety of types to accommodate what’s most important to you, whether it’s the firmness of the mattress, size, hypoallergenic or waterproof design, waterproof layer, price, or all of the above.
Types of Crib Mattresses
First, let’s consider what you should look for in a crib mattress. It needs to be firm, which most of them are, in order to support your baby’s delicate bones as they slowly get stronger. But you also want the surface to be comfortable such that your baby can fall into a nice slumber. There are two main types of crib mattresses: foam, which tends to be less expensive, lighter, and comes in different thicknesses from about 3” to up to 6”; and innerspring, which is typically more expensive, but also more durable, and features the same coil design as adult mattresses.
Protection Features in Crib Mattresses
For protection, extra border reinforcements can keep the sides, corners, and edges sturdy, yet without harming your baby. You need to consider size as well: make sure that you can’t slide anything more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame. If you can, your baby might easily get his arm or leg stuck in the gap, which can be dangerous. Before selecting a mattress, measure the crib’s width and then mattress to ensure it will be a tight fit.
Hypoallergenic mattresses are always a good idea, but especially if sensitive skin and/or allergies run in either of the parents’ families. A mattress with a water-resistant top layer is a smart idea for easy late-night clean-ups of spit-up or diaper leaks as well (of which, let’s face 
it, there will be many). Even with crib mattresses that have a waterproof cover, I’d still recommend getting a mattress cover to further protect the mattress and offer additional absorbency.
Finding the Right Crib Mattress
Keeping the above factors in mind, which crib mattress suits your needs?
If you simply can’t decide, and plan to use the mattress for a toddler bed once the baby grows to the toddler stage, the Simmons Dreamtime Dual-Sided Crib Mattress has a neat feature: it’s reversible, with a super firm mattress on one side for your baby, and a more luxurious, softer side for toddlers. If you’re eco-conscious, you’ll also appreciate that it’s made from recycled polyester, not to mention the fact that it’s made in Canada. If allergies or sensitive skin run in your family, or an already born baby is showing signs of having sensitive skin, a hypoallergenic mattress will be essential. This one has a Tencel cover that is not only water- and stain-resistant, but also breathable to protect sensitive skin, and VOC-free.
Some families like to go organic whenever and wherever possible. If this describes you, there are options like the Simmons Organic Touch Dual-Sided Crib Mattress, which offers the same dual-sided design, but is made with a breathable organic cover that is water- and stain-resistant. The mattress itself is, like the Dreamtime, made in Canada from recycled polyester, and is VOC-free.
Another dual-sided option, the Simmons Thermocare Dual-Sided Crib Mattress adds moisture-wicking technology, which will keep babies who tend to run hot cool and comfortable as they sleep. The Thermo Cool cover is also water- and stain-resistant, and can be easily spot-cleaned as necessary.
For added breathability, along with a hypoallergenic design, there’s the Simmons Sleep Breeze Crib Mattress, which promotes increased airflow and has a Hypoallergenic Tactel cover that is water- and stain-resistant as well as anti-microbial. Thus, baby is kept cooler while sleeping, and you will have less worry about allergens. Once the baby grows to the toddler stage, you can also flip this one over to use the more plush side versus the extra firm.
If you travel a lot, if baby often stays over at his or her grandparent’s place, or if you have a smaller-sized crib for a smaller nursery room, such as in an apartment or condo, you might need a mini crib mattress. The Simmons Mini Crib Mattress is sized specifically for smaller cribs, but still contains all of the same features as its larger sister models, including recycled polyester than is VOC-free, water- and stain-resistance, and a breathable design via the organic cotton cover.
The aforementioned Dreamtime and Organic Touch crib mattresses are about 28” wide, so a half an inch wider than the others, which might make the difference for cribs that are slightly bigger than others. All full-sized mattresses noted are 52” long, and 6” deep. The mini mattress, meanwhile, is 24 x 24 x 3” in size, so not only about half the width and height, but also half the depth to perfectly fit smaller cribs.
Mattress Protectors
I keep mattress protectors on every bed in my home to help increase their longevity. It protects the material overall from things like household allergens, but also from spills or nighttime accidents. So for cribs, they are absolutely essential.
If you use one with a crib, though, make sure it fits snugly around the corners, and under a fitted sheet so baby can’t pull it off and get caught up in it.
Mattresses protectors serve other useful purposes beyond protecting against soiling and allergens, too: the Jupiter Thermo Cool Crib Mattress Protector, for example, has built-in patented thermo regulating capabilities to adjust to the baby’s ideal temperature. It does also protect the mattress against dust mites and other household allergens, and is fully waterproof.
If you’re most concerned about the material, particularly for a baby who has sensitive skin, or if sensitive skin runs in your family, there are options like the Jupiter Sleep Safe Crib Mattress Pad, which is made from organic knit cotton. It, too, is allergy-resistant and dust mite-resistant, and free of VOCs and PVCs. A similar option is the Simmons Natural Slumber Dual-Sided Crib Mattress, which also has a water- and stain-resistant organic cotton cover, is made from recycled polyester, and is VOC-free. It’s designed to grow with your child, so it can convert from use in a crib to use in a toddler bed, or, as with the others, flipped over in the crib once your toddler is old enough for the softer plush side.
Bottom line
There are lots of mattress options from which to choose. The most important things to look for is to ensure that they fit snugly in the crib, allowing no more than two finger widths of a gap between the edge of the mattress and the crib frame; that they are comfortable for your baby; and that the material used meets your needs, whether it’s for a desire to go organic, or to deal with potential allergens and sensitive skin. Once you figure out those needs, you should be in good shape to select the right mattress, and a protector to go with it.
Learn more about Simmons crib mattresses and mattress protectors at Best Buy Online.
