Crib mattresses

peeppeeppeep

I didn't see anything very recent about mattresses on the nursery and gear board, and so I'd rather ask here first.  If you are buying a crib, which mattress will you choose?  STMs+, do you have recommendations or have you run into issues with your mattress?

I've already done some research and don't want to spend 400 dollars on a crib mattress, but I do want good quality.  I'd like foam, and at least somewhat eco-friendly and made in the USA.  I was considering the Sealy Soybean Core Mattress on Amazon, which is fairly inexpensive and rated highly, but some of the reviewers complained it shrunk over time.  I've got an IKEA crib and I'd like to find something really tight fitting.  We skipped the IKEA mattresses because I didn't think they seemed all that firm, but DH thinks I'm being silly.  If you think I'm being silly, tell me - I'll take you more seriously than DH

Also, I know firm is best for baby -but some of the reviews on Amazon complain that some of the mattresses are too firm for their infants, especially for the Colgate mattresses - is that really a thing?

Thanks in advance for your input! 

CoozieInMyPurse

Consumer Reports online had good info on what to look for and what the different features mean.

peeppeeppeep

CoozieInMyPurse said:

Consumer Reports online had good info on what to look for and what the different features mean.

Yeah, I saw that - of course you don't get to see the ratings on actual mattresses unless you subscribe, which I don't.  The Baby Bargains book also had some recommendations, but some of the info seemed outdated even in my updated edition.  

I usually like doing this kind of research but for whatever reasons I am stymied by the mattress choices.  

WinningColors

Lucie's List recommends a few here. I'm probably going to go with the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams mattress. It's only $52 on Amazon and has great reviews.

BitsyBelle84

We have the sealy soybean everedge foam core mattress. We bought it for our son 2+ years ago. In the just over 2 years he slept on it we had no issues with it shrinking/changing shape. If you have really tight fitting crib sheets (like shrunk in the wash tight) the corners round slightly, but not enough to stick my hand between the mattress and the slats.

It doesn't have an infant/toddler side that I could see, we just flipped it every few months for even wear. It is really nice that it has waterproof covering and binding already, made cleaning up after the couple leaks my son had really easy.

We bought ours from BRU with one of their 20% off coupons for around $150 with tax.

Edit:spelling/grammer

mommyofkaylin

We bought ours from Walmart for around sixty. I think it's safety first. We picked it based off feeling other mattresses for firmness

Clobert

I registered for the organic version and didn't see any reviews about shrinking. However, there are only 8 (all 5 star) reviews on that version. After seeing the reviews about shrinking I may have to do some more research as well. I did notice that some of the negative reviewers said sealy replaced it. If a company has good customer service I'm more likely to take a risk.

CoozieInMyPurse

peeppeeppeep said:

CoozieInMyPurse said:

Consumer Reports online had good info on what to look for and what the different features mean.

Yeah, I saw that - of course you don't get to see the ratings on actual mattresses unless you subscribe, which I don't.  The Baby Bargains book also had some recommendations, but some of the info seemed outdated even in my updated edition.  

I usually like doing this kind of research but for whatever reasons I am stymied by the mattress choices.  

I feel you. I can normally make an educated decision and be okay with it, but when it comes to baby gear, I totally second guess myself every time.

MalVough

I took my sister with me to do the registry. She pushed on each mattress and leaned against them... quite amusing. She did note one was rock solid, so we moved on. We settled on a mattress that, on one side, is for an infant. The other side is softer for toddlers. I'm willing to pay $150.00 for a mattress I can use for years to come!

nekonic

If you are a patron of your local library, you should check out their website. Most public libraries allow provide patrons access to "premium databases," including Consumer Reports, allowing you to access the online version (with ratings!) for free. All you have to do at the King County Library System website here in Seattle is log in with your library card ID#.
You can also check out ebooks for free in your pjs...but that's enough shameless plugging for the library

copperrose

We bought an IKEA mattress with DD four years ago and let someone borrow it in between.  As far as I can tell it's in perfect shape.  I didn't do much with picking it out because my DH worked at IKEA at the time. 

CrystalTrues

DS slept on his crib mattress for over 3 1/2 years, before he moved to his big "big boy" bed (full size). We went through 2 mattresses for him because I ripped the cover on him first one and over time the rip got worse and we had to replace it. The second one we got a foam mattress from Costco I think it was around or under $100.

For some reason we bought a coil spring mattress the first time and foam the second. The foam was preferred by my toddler over the coil one. It was also preferred by me and anyone who changed his sheets because it was so much lighter and easier to remove from the crib change the sheets and return to the crib/toddler bed.

I guess I'm not much help, if you have a warehouse club membership they usually bring out furniture and mattress in January and July.

sweetmama17

We have the soybean one from BRU. Its ok. It fits tightly in the crib and is light enough to easily change sheets but I do think it sags a liitle (and my guy is now a very average sized 2 year old). As much as i kinda want to get a new mattress i dont think we will spend the money on it. I did just buy another foam mattress off amazon for DS1s big boy bed. We will see how that goes.

janda426

We got the sealy soybean one off amazon. I didn't read anything about it shrinking, but oh well. Everyone on my FB group has that one

peeppeeppeep

Thanks for the input everyone - I think we will probably be fine whatever we choose - glad no one has any dire warnings about a particular mattress.  I'm going to keep drinking a Fresca and watching DH put together the dresser.

PHNJenna

We got the ikea sunvik crib $120 (we were going for simple, smaller, classic) I was really up in the air about the mattress at first but I squeeze tested all of them and went with the $59 vyssa vinka mattress, it seemed to be the most firm to me. I am a public health nurse and this was my #1 concern with ikea but I feel totally comfortable with the crib and mattress we chose, also quite a few of my nurse friends have bought and been totally OK and happy with their ikea mattresses.

DM718

I think we chose the same safety 1st foam mattress a previous poster mentioned. Great price and great reviews on Amazon

flyer23

We've had the Colgate Classica II, I think it is, for all three kids. It has the firmer baby side and the softer toddler side. It's held up great and it's super light for changing sheets.

I'm tempted to get a new mattress for this one, due to the SIDS risk of reusing a mattress for the fourth time, but I dunno. I've been looking at the organic mattresses and they are ridiculously pricey, especially knowing that this will be our last one...

rm2013

I have the same Sealy Soybean Core Mattress. Got it for $90 2 years ago on super sale at BRU and with a coupon. I think t was around Black Friday.

I have no complaints, it has not shrunk, and doesn't sag. I do flip the mattress about once a month or two. My LO seems super comfortable in it and she's a chunky monkey. She also frequenty sleeps on her stomach with her knees pulled up (ie poking directly into the mattress) and it doesn't have any soft spots.

I'd say even though it seems uncomfortable to us, please stick with a firm mattress and don't get a softer one as it's safest for baby. One thing we do have is a quilted waterproof mattress cover - it provides just a touch of softness (its maybe like 1/8" thick) and I like using this cover so that when DD had bad accidents I didn't have to spend time wiping / sanitizing the mattress at 3am. And I didn't want her to get sweaty in the summer. I can't link to it but it's BRU quilted pad cover item # 6739279k12.