Community› The Bump Local Boards› D.C. Area Babies
D.C. Area Babies
New Discussion

Cradle mattress questions

membrnmembrn
in D.C. Area Babies

DH's parents have made cradles for our baby (don't have our cradle yet) and for DH's brother and SIL baby due in May.  SIL emailed me that MIL made the cradle mattress out of some foam she had at home (she does a lot of sewing/crafts/etc).  SIL thinks it is not firm enough (MIL does and BIL agrees with MIL) and the mattress also does not lay flat in the cradle without pressure on it. 

I haven't seen it yet, but this is something I was worried about.  

So, tell me what you know about cradles and cradle mattresses.  Baby bargains doesn't have a lot on cradles/bassinets (as another bumpie mentioned) and I have researched it a whole lot yet.  I don't know the dimensions of the cradle (because I'd probably just buy a cradle mattress if it would fit properly) but FWIW it's a reproduction of a historical (historic?) cradle. 

Also, basically, help us justify that we are right and MIL is wrong :)  Obviously, her feelings will be on the back burner when it comes to our childrens safety...SIL and my main concern is the safety of this handmade mattress (or lack thereof)

image
Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
Report Reply to Post

Re: Cradle mattress questions

  • ArtslvrArtslvr

    I'd get the dimensions and call around to BRU and BBB and maybe even some furniture stores like Great Beginnings or Baby 2 Teen.  Ask them if they have cradle mattresses or basinette mattresses that will fit. 

    You're totally right, a proper mattress has to be really firm like a crib mattress.  Bassinette mattresses are not that firm, they're basically foam, but they're covered in a thick plastic.  The firmness/plastic keeps baby from sinking their face into it.

    So you are right to be concerned - just cross your fingers that something safe/storebought will fit.  I bet you can.

    Wife, Musician, Fed, WW-er, and Mom of three little kids - not necessarily in that order.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • KewliegirlKewliegirl member

    dear membrn,

    if you dont have any luck with the suggestion above, look around your house. (this may make me sound like a crazy person.  :) )

    my fil made our bedroom cradle as well. we ran into a similar predicament -- no mattress. we looked at a few options that didnt make me comfortable, but what happened to work best (pure luck!!) for us was a very firm cushion pad on the storage bench at the end of our bed. as it turned out, it fit perfectly -- very snug along the edges, without being so tight that it "bubbled" without weight.

    you might be able to google "firm foam" and find some resources that you can use to fashion your own (actually, you might be able to find something here). i wonder if what your mil was using was just basic pillow batting.

    now, the above doesnt help the mil feelings issue, but what i would do is leave the cradle in your room, take a few pictures of bebe in the crib with mil stuff, but have the baby sleep in whatever you have decided is right for your family.  :)

    e.t. phone home,

    kewliegirl

    imageimageimage
    Report Reply
  • ArtslvrArtslvr
    imageKewliegirl:

    what i would do is leave the cradle in your room, take a few pictures of bebe in the crib with mil stuff, but have the baby sleep in whatever you have decided is right for your family.  :)

    Reason #73,211 why I love kewlie.

    Wife, Musician, Fed, WW-er, and Mom of three little kids - not necessarily in that order.
    Report Reply
  • MrsTiaraMrsTiara
    Similar issue: my dad made my cradle and I couldn't find a mattress that fit properly.  It is being used for stuffed animals and if I have a daughter, it will be for her dollies' bed.  Stay away from the soft foam!
    Report Reply
  • membrnmembrn
    imageArtslvr:

    So you are right to be concerned - just cross your fingers that something safe/storebought will fit.  I bet you can.

    SIL found out from MIL that she bought us a cradle mattress but made theirs...that perplexes me.  So, we'll just have to wait and see what she bought!

    image
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • membrnmembrn
    imageKewliegirl:

    now, the above doesnt help the mil feelings issue, but what i would do is leave the cradle in your room, take a few pictures of bebe in the crib with mil stuff, but have the baby sleep in whatever you have decided is right for your family.  :)

     While I was the one that had good intentions of using the cradle, DH has actually been the one saying what you speak of :)Yes  I like his and your thinking!

    image
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • KewliegirlKewliegirl member
    imagemembrn:

     While I was the one that had good intentions of using the cradle, DH has actually been the one saying what you speak of :)Yes  I like his and your thinking!

    dear membrn,

    teehee. i meant actually using the cradle, with whatever mattress you are comfortable with. i didnt mean to not use the cradle.  :)  mea culpa.

     we now use hers as a toybox, as well as the one my husband slept in as a child. its pretty cool and very special.

    rock the cradle of love,

    kewliegirl

    imageimageimage
    Report Reply
  • brown.fongerbrown.fonger member

    It's a little pricey, but you can get a mattress made to the dimensions of the cradle. I was given a bassinet, and wanted to replace the pad that came with it because I thought it was really thin. I didn't end up ordering because my DD slept just fine the way it was.

    https://www.ababy.com/data/custom-baby-mattress/custom-baby-mattress-2112.html

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"