Colgate Juvenile Products

How important is the crib mattress?

Which is better: foam or innerspring?

The answer to this question is not a definitive one. Scientific advances in the making of foam have caused the quality of foam mattresses to improve dramatically over the past few years. A better quality foam mattress today is about the same quality as a better quality innerspring mattress. The costs are also very comparable. One thing is definitive in the choice of a crib mattress: a better quality foam mattress is better than a poorer quality innerspring mattress, and a better quality innerspring mattress is better than a poorer quality foam mattress. On the top 5 list from a leading consumer magazine, the number one mattress was made from foam, and 2 through 5 were innerspring. One of the biggest advantages to a foam mattress is that it weighs fewer than eight pounds, as compared to an innerspring mattress, for which better quality ones weigh 30 plus pounds because of the thicker gauge coils and extra padding.

How can you tell a better quality foam mattress from a poorer one?

How can you tell a better quality innerspring mattress from a poorer one?

What are the layers in an innerspring crib mattress and which are better?

The layers in an innerspring crib mattress are:

The innerspring unit - It is not just the number of coils that is important, but it is also the amount of steel. Buy a mattress with the thickest and greatest number of coils, but even more importantly, buy a mattress with an innerspring unit that has a border rod that adds firmness and extra edge support.
The insulator - This is the layer that prevents the soft cushioning layers from sinking into the coils. The best insulator is a coir fiber pad made from coconut shells. This is far superior to a fiber pad or cloth pad, especially over long term use. Besides the coir fiber pad, some better quality mattresses offer a permanent insulator that reduces the gap between the coils. Some mattresses offer two insulators.
Cushioning layers - These usually consist of one foam layer. Sometimes there are two layers of foam, and some manufacturers offer a layer of foam and a layer of 100% all natural cotton batting.
The cover - Triple layer nylon reinforced vinyl is the best.

Are you getting what you think you're getting?

The most important things to look for in a crib mattress are found on the inside of the mattress where you can't see them. This is why it is important that you buy from a manufacturer and a retailer with good reputations for quality. For example, most people are unaware that most crib mattresses with names identical to the names found on national adult mattresses are not made by the same companies. They are usually just names licensed by, or shared with, a crib mattress manufacturer from the adult mattress company so they can take advantage of the nationally known name to increase their sales to the public. A second example is the crib mattress manufacturer that buys its foam on the close-out market. It feels heavy, it feels firm, but it doesn't hold up over time because it is a type of foam that is not designed for mattresses.

There is a trend for mattress manufacturers to use laminated mattress covers that use something other than a nylon reinforcement. Nylon is the best and most expensive reinforcing material and adds to the overall quality of the mattress. Also, there is a trend today towards antibacterial vinyl. This vinyl slows the growth of bacteria but doesn't stop it. You can get comparable germ protection from a washable, waterproof mattress pad, and you have less chemicals near the skin of your baby.

The mattress is an important part of your child's first years of growth and development. Spending the most amount of money doesn't necessarily mean you purchased the best mattress, but choosing one that is very supportive, high quality and meets the needs of the parents and the child should be your goal.

Colgate

The Crib Mattress Specialist

Mattress Info