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The Importance of Buying a
Quality Crib Mattress
by Rose Smith, Copyright 2003
Ensure your baby has a wonderful
night's sleep with a
top-quality crib mattress and/or a bassinet/cradle mattress.
Your newborn will spend up to 70% of his or her time sleeping on their crib
mattress, so choosing a quality mattress is an important decision. Even if your
baby starts off their first 4 to 6 months in a bassinet or baby cradle, it's
still a wise decision to choose a comfortable, well made baby mattress.
A baby's bones are soft, yet they will do some of their fastest growing within
the first few years of their life. Even when they reach their toddler years,
they will still spend 50% of their time in their beds besides sleeping, such as
playing before and after their naps. Quality construction and firm support is
required to help their developing spines stay aligned correctly.
Should You Choose a Foam Mattress or an Innerspring Mattress?
Just like adult mattresses, you have a choice between
purchasing a foam or an innerspring mattress. Both work
well, provided you choose a top-end, well-constructed crib
mattress. In other words...not all mattresses are made the same!
Foam Mattress
Foam mattresses are made of either polyether or polyester,
which means they also weigh less than an innerspring crib
mattress. The main problem with foam crib mattresses is
that they tend to wear out and loose their shapes faster. The bonus to this type
of crib/cradle mattress is that they usually cost less. Just be sure when you
choose a foam mattress that it has a high density of foam. That doesn't
necessarily mean it's thicker, but just that the foam used is of a denser
nature. The higher density will provide firm support and should last several
years.
Innerspring Mattress
These crib mattresses will last longer than foam because
of the coils inside them. They are naturally heavier and
usually cost a bit more than foam mattresses. Make sure
the innersprings have a high number of coils - at least
150 coils or more. The mattress covering should have
several layers to it as well.
Your baby's crib mattress should also have lots of vents
along the sides, whether it is form or innerspring. This
allows the mattress to eliminate odors, keeping the
mattress fresh smelling. Baby cribs measure
51 5/8" X 27 1/4" by today's standards, so when choosing
a mattress, be sure it fits snuggly within the crib. You
should not be able to get more than 2 fingers between it
and the frame. The same rule applies for bassinet and
baby cradle mattresses. You may also want to look for
mattresses that have a wet-proof, nylon reinforced cover,
for obvious reasons.
No matter which type of crib mattress you choose be
sure it's fire retardant. Family and friends like to hand their
baby furniture down, which is fine, however many second-hand, older mattresses
may not be fire retardant. They may also be worn out and won't give the support
needed, even
though they may look good on the outside. These are
probably the best reasons for purchasing a new mattress
for your crib, bassinet and/or cradle.
Take your time to compare prices, construction and quality
offered by various manufacturers. Your baby deserves a
wonderful, peaceful night's sleep.and so do you.
Rose Smith is the author and publisher of Baby-Furniture-4u.com an online
shopping and information resource for buying quality baby furniture products.
For more information on crib mattresses visit:
http://www.baby-furniture-4u.com/crib-mattress.htm
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