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Best Cloth Diapers – An Economical & Eco-friendly Solution
They say babies are not cheap and we're sure no one will object if we say diapers are one of the most expensive item you will spend on your baby. The average age a baby is potty trained is between 22 and 30 months of age (of course, each child differs) so up till then, you will need to spend on countless bags of diapers and they all add up, don't they?
What if we now tell you there is an alternative that will cut your diaper expense tremendously? And no, it is not some new invention (though we wish there is!) but rather, it is the Cloth Diaper which has been around for some time.
Now before you groan and turn your back away - trust us, we'd be too when we think of one more added chore (cleaning and washing used diapers) to the endless list of daily parenting things to do- read on to find out why switching to cloth diapers may be one of the best decision you have made in life. And it won't be just for economical reasons, we promise!
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There are several types of cloth diapers but we'd recommend the Pocket type due to its ease of use and the lack of need for a diaper cover. Our reviews on cloth diapers is focused on finding the best pocket diaper for you.
In short, pocket diapers are made of a waterproof shell and an inner liner, with a "pocket" in between the two layers to fit an absorbent pad. The absorbent pad is where all the mess go to while the waterproof shell prevents any leakage from it (which is why it is one of the best solution for poop explosion).
1. Top 5 Best Cloth Diapers
Comes in 7 packs with 7 inserts and 1 wet bag, this 15-piece set of baby cloth pocket diapers is the best cloth diapers among all competitions. This is not surprising, considering it comes from the best brand of cloth diapers.
While it is understood that cloth diapers are generally less absorbent than disposable ones due to the lack of sodium polyacrylate, the Nora's Nursery Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers have overcome this with its insert design.
The two outside layers are made from Bamboo (which is the best cloth diaper covers, especially for newborns) to maintain comfort against your babies bottom while the 2 inner layers are microfiber to absorb moisture and maintain dryness. What's brilliant about this design is that other than being eco-friendly, these inserts get softer and more absorbent with every wash.
The leg gusset prevents any leaks or stains and the adjustable snap layout fits babies and toddlers from 10 to 33 pounds. This means you do not have to look for different sizes of diapers anymore as your baby grows, which is a significant amount of time and money saved.
The design of the waterproof shell is unisex so you can use it on both boys and girls, and because it is waterproof, as long as you maintain it well, you can use it for as long as your baby needs a diaper and even pass it down to your next baby. All you have to do is just replace the inserts, which you can buy separately, once they worn out.
The Nora's Nursery Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers also come with 1 wet bag which has two compartments - the outside for storing fresh, clean diapers while the soiled, wet ones can be zipped up in the waterproof main compartment for days when you need to be outside the house.
There are not many cloth diaper brands that use bamboo in its diaper manufacturing anymore and this is why we love and think the Nora's Nursery Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers is the best reusable diapers for newborns. We know how delicate and soft a newborn's skin is so the bamboo layers of this cloth diaper is the best as it is the gentlest out of all materials against your baby's bottom.
ALVABABY is another best rated reusable baby cloth diaper brand and its pocket diapers do not disappoint.
Also a one-size-fit-all, you can reuse this baby cloth diaper from newborn up till toddler stage when baby is potty-trained. What we like about the ALVABABY is that it comes with double rows of snaps which can fit better for baby.
The reason we rate this a second to the Nory's Nursery is that it is made of 100% microfiber terry cloth while the latter has two layers of bamboo material which is gentler on baby's skin and is more environmental friendly. Nonetheless, 100% microfiber makes the ALVABABY more absorbent than regular flannel and it also dries much faster after being washed. Because of this, one can say it is the best washable diapers.
The ALVABABY is machine-washable but we'd strongly recommend you to follow the care instructions given, such as adhering to the washing temperature and no bleach, no softener restrictions so that your baby can get the longest wear from your cloth diapers .
Compare to the Nory's Nursery and ALVABABY which fit babies from 3lbs, Mama Koala Pocket Cloth Diapers are more well suited for bigger babies as its ideal weight starts from 8lbs. As such, you may say this is not one of the best cloth nappies for newborns.
Nevertheless, it is still a one-size-fits-all cloth diapers that grows with your baby until they are 35lbs. The outer of this diaper is made from breathable, waterproof TPU while the inserts are made from 3 layers of microfibre so this is one absorbent cloth diaper for the bigger wetters.
One may think the Mama Koala Pocket Cloth Diapers is the best cloth diapers for boys due to its more boyish design but really, we think it suits girls perfectly well nonetheless.
As with all cloth diapers, you should adhere to the washing and caring instruction provided to ensure your diapers remain the their best cloth condition. If you cannot find any instruction, follow these and you will be in safe hands.
If you are looking for the best affordable cloth diapers in the market, look no further - the LBB Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers Set is your answer.
Although it is almost half the price of the Nory's Nursery, the quality of this cloth diaper is not to be underestimated. In fact, we are pleased to discover that it also has bamboo fibre on its surface (the best cloth diaper covers for newborns), and that it has a 3-layer microfibre insert which makes it ultra-absorbent.
Another amazing feature is that it has three rows of adjustable snaps which makes it one of the best adjustable cloth diaper in the market. It fits even the smallest newborn, as the waist tabs can overlap for extra small waist size.
The LBB Baby Cloth Diapers Set has everything you need and for the cheap price you are paying for 1 set, there really isn't much to complain about this cloth diaper. It is the best inexpensive cloth diapers you can score in the market to date.
MooMooBaby's All In One Shell-Snap Cloth Pocket Diapers is another best baby reusable diapers for newborns that we would recommend for those looking for cheap cloth diapers.
This cloth diaper is an All-in-One diaper meaning that the microfibre insert is actually attached inside the pocket (sewn in completely and does not get twisted in the wash).
We are impressed with the thoughtfulness put into the design of this cloth nappy as it also caters room for an extra insert for the heavy wetters. If this is your situation, you will need to buy extra inserts as it does not come with it. We suggest these which are of the best quality.
It is waterproof, reusable, washable and antibacterial. The three rows of adjustable snaps enables you to adjust according to baby's best fit and it also comes with a detailed guide on how to adjust the size to ensure baby's comfort.
For those that want it fuss free, the MooMoobaby All-in-One Shell-Snap Cloth Pocket Diapers is the best cloth diaper for you because you do not have to separate the inserts from the outer shell (like most others do) before you wash it in the machine. More time saved!
2. Why you should use cloth diapers instead of disposables
* Health benefits
You may think that using cloth diapers is primarily for cost-saving reasons but do you know that cloth diapers pose more health benefits to babies compare to disposable diapers?
As opposed to disposable diapers which have a type of chemical (called sodium polyacrylate to make them more absorbent) that has been associated with toxic shock syndrome and skin irritation, cloth diapers are produced free of this chemical as well as other synthetic materials. Also, cloth diapers do not have dyeing agents which most disposable diapers employ to make them bleach white so the former has one less chemical irritant.
Not to mention waste will be properly disposed of in the toilet for cloth diapers hence they pose fewer health risk compare to that of their disposable counterparts, which unless you get a proper diaper pail, will stink up your whole place and thus spread germs and bacterias if you dispose used diapers into normal dustbins.
* Economical
During infancy, babies go through an average of 12 disposable diapers a day which will reduce to 4-6 per day as they grow older, but still, that adds up to an average of 7300 diapers over 2.5 years until they are potty-trained!
With cloth diapers, you will only need 24 - 36 diapers (if you wash twice a week) and most of all, you do not have to worry about getting different sizes to accommodate baby's growth as most cloth diapers are a one-size-fits-all, given their plastic snaps / Velcro closure design.
Needless to say, reusable cloth diapers are definitely much cheaper than disposable ones in the long run for most families and you'll get the most cost benefits if you start using them early.
* No more poop explosion
In for a gross surprise when you see poop up your baby's back and everywhere when you change his/her diaper? This, my friend, is called the "poop explosion" and it couldn't be more frustrating and irritating for both parents and babies.
You may have heard of one solution - switching up a diaper size as poop explosion can be due to diapers being too small, but this may not work for everyone and you risk getting more leakage of both poo and pee if the diaper is too big.
With cloth diapers, you will not experience another leakage or poop explosion anymore and this is predominantly due to their design. There are two parts to a cloth diaper - outer "shell" that is water-resistant to stop leaks and never touches baby's skin, and inner "stuffing" which holds all the waste for you to dispose of into the toilet.
Many parents find that this is the only solution that works to get rid of poop explosion, and any leakage overall.
* Eco-friendly
Cloth diapers are 40% less harmful to the environment compare to disposables as they can be used over and over again. Also, clothes diapers mean less waste and subsequently less environmental impact because of the vast reduction of diapers required.
Less materials are sourced to manufacture clothes diapers compare to that of disposables which are mainly made of wood pulp and synthetic materials. For the most environmentally friendly diapers, look for organic cotton and other unbleached natural fibres (like bamboo and hemp) ones.
3. How to wash cloth diapers?
You should always follow the instructions that come with your cloth diapers, but generally, these are the steps to follow when washing a cloth diaper:
- Dump all waste/solids into the toilet and rinse the diaper with cold water (we suggest using a combination of diaper sprayer + splatter shield to avoid nasty splatters) to keep stains from settling in;
- If you are not going to wash them immediately, ring out excess water from the diaper before storing them in a diaper pail (click to see our choice of best diaper pail for cloth diapers) to wait until washing time;
- Use hot water and wash with a mild detergent. We'd advise staying away from bleach as it will break down the materials of the diaper quickly, but if you must, make sure you use very mild bleach;
- Lastly, dry your cloth diapers by either hanging them up outside or on a drying rack (air-drying them outside is the best as the sun further helps kills germs).
Nowadays, most cloth diapers are machine-washable and many even survive a few accidental dryer cycles without any misshapes. And you can always buy diaper liners to lay over the absorbent layer of your cloth diaper to help keep solids contained for easy clean-up. Bioliners like these are breathable and flushable which means no more dunking or swishing of your cloth diapers! So really, there isn't that much extra or hard work involved with cloth diapers as you would have thought.
4. Are cloth diapers the same as swim diapers?
Even though both are made of cloth and are reusable, a swim diaper is different from a cloth diaper and you cannot substitute one for the other.
Unlike regular diapers (be it cloth or disposables), a swim diaper does not absorb when wet (otherwise, it will defeat its one main purpose - for swimming!) which means it does not absorb pee at all. It otherwise holds poo well to prevent any accidental mess in the pool for the benefit of all.
There are, of course, disposable swim diapers as well but we think the ones made from cloth are a better option as they are gentler on a baby's bottom and do not stretch out like plastic disposable.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Diapering does not stop just here. Do not think that there is no need for a diaper pail just because you are using cloth diapers, in fact, there are specific diaper pail for cloth diapers! Click here to check out our best diaper pail reviews.
Best Crib Mattress for Babies’ Safe Sleep – An All You Need To Know Guide
The crib is where your baby will spend most of his time in (more than 16 hours a day!), so it is vital that you choose a safe and comfortable crib mattress. Often than not, parents are clueless when it comes to choosing a crib mattress for their newborn – what are the things to look out for especially when all that you see in the market claim to be the very best? What’s the best cot mattress to buy?
You will be surprised at just how many different types of crib mattresses are available in the market and that not all are safe. In fact, you will be shocked by the statistics found of how SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is linked to crib mattresses. This will be reviewed more in depth in the latter part of this guide as well as other information that you should know about the crib mattress but for now, let’s look at the top 5 best baby crib mattresses that are not just popular but are also rated top as the safest and most comfortable baby crib mattresses.
1. Top 5 Best Crib Mattresses
1. Colgate Eco Classica III Dual Firmness Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress, Organic Cotton Cover
Amongst all Colgate’s (no, nothing related to the toothpaste) crib mattresses, the Eco Classica III is their best selling crib mattress and it is not hard to see why. In fact, we think it is the best crib mattress out there and that is saying something, given that all other crib mattresses featured in this review are amazing products of exceptional high quality.
First of all, the Eco Classica III is a dual-sided mattress where the firmer side is for the infant stage (click here to see why your baby should sleep on a firm surface) while the other side is for toddler when s/he outgrows the crib. Despite being 6 inches thick, you will have no trouble flipping the sides around as it weighs 9.4 pounds only. This is not bad at all, especially for a dual-use mattress. And you do not have to worry about its size as it is of the standard size regulated by the CPSIA that fits all standard size cribs and toddler beds.
Material wise, you can have 100% peace of mind as Colgate uses only CertiPUR certified safe organic cotton cover closest to baby’s skin in its mattresses. Plant oils instead of petroleum based oils is used to ensure this is one eco-friendly crib mattress. It also has waterproof backing to make sure no water goes into the mattress.
It has also passed the toughest GREENGUARD standard of no harmful emissions and is constructed with more than 10,000 volatile organic compounds so you won't find any strange smell with this crib mattresses. Because of this, it is also safe to regard the Eco Classica III to be the best non-toxic baby crib mattress in the market.
There really isn’t much that we can fault this baby crib mattress and at just this price, it is not hard to see why the Colgate Eco Classica III is the best colgate crib mattress, and overall the best 2-in-1 crib mattress around. Oh, and it is fully manufactured in USA, which is certainly a plus point!
2. Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Dual Firmness Crib Mattress (FFP)
This is also one of the best 2 in 1 crib mattress that comes close to the Colgate Eco Classica III. In fact, we would say the Little Dreamer is equivalent in terms of excellency in all aspects to that of the Eco Classica III. The reason we rate it second is because of its price, which while justifiable, is slightly more expensive than the Eco Classica III which has similar features.
If you are one that thinks that the Eco Classica III is a tad too firm (it is by far the firmest mattress we have tested after all), then the Little Dreamer is the best baby mattress for you. While it is softer than the Eco Classica III, it still incorporates extra firm high density foam on the infant side and firm high density foam on the toddler side to ensure it is safe for your child’s health and development.
Moonlight Slumber takes the extra step of producing a
- Vinyl FREE
-Polyethylene FREE
- PVC FREE
- Phthalates FREE and
-Lead FREE
baby crib mattress in the Little Dreamer and high quality medical grade foam is CertiPUR certified, meaning it is free of toxic chemicals. It is also treated with ultra fresh for antimicrobial protection so that it is hypoallergenic and waterproof which you can easily clean with a damp sponge.
All in all, the Little Dreamer is another top rated baby crib mattress that is fully manufactured in the US and bears the Greenguard Gold Certification. It is an excellent baby crib mattress that many parents love and do not mind shelling out the extra dollars for.
If you are looking for the best memory foam crib mattress, look no further. My First Premium Memory Foam Hypoallergenic Baby Crib Mattress is made from CeriPUR-US certified foam that provides extra firm high-density support yet is still very comfortable for infants. Do not be alarmed if you feel that it is firmer than what you would have expected from a memory foam product because this is all within its design.
This mattress has a removable velour cover that is soft to baby’s tender skin you will definitely love it! The cover is machine washable and waterproof which help to prevent nasty mold and bacterial growth. Phthalates and lead free, you will be pleased to know that it is also hypoallergenic, mite-proof and anti-microbial. It also meets and exceeds federal flammability and CPSC standards, so this is one baby crib mattress that you can have peace of mind in letting your baby sleep on for long hours.
If you experience mild scents when you first open up the mattress (which is machine rolled and compressed and may take up to 72 hours to regain its full shape), don’t worry, this is expected of memory foam mattresses. Such “odor” is by no means harmful or unhealthy. Simply air it out and the smell will dissipate quickly.
My First Premium Memory Foam Hypoallergenic crib mattress is produced by Kittrich Bedding which is renowned for having all their foam products underwent and satisfied independent tests for safety purposes. If that is not enough, it also comes with a 10 year limited warranty so you can be assured that this is one of the best mattress for your baby crib.
Our best budget crib mattress is the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams. At an incredible deal, you get a high-density thermos-bonded core mattress that has firm support for your baby. Despite its high density, it is still lightweight which makes it easy for you to manoeuver and flip.
The Safety 1st Heavely Dreams is a durable mattress that can last long throughout your child’s development as it is made from foam which enables it to retain its shape well even after years of usage. This makes it an ideal choice for convertible crib-to-toddler beds as measuring at 52.5 x 27.5 x 5.5 inches, it fits most standard cribs and toddler beds.
It comes with a vinyl cover that is waterproof, meaning any spills can be wiped clean easily so this is one mattress that is resistant to stains and subsequently smells. If you wish to wash it thoroughly, the zip allows you to do so.
As with all other mattresses that we've reviewed to determine if it fits to be a top rated baby crib mattress, we look at whether one is hypoallergenic. We are pleased to find that the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams is hypoallergenic and is free of phthalates and lead.
Further, it meets the standard for low-chemical emissions, thus earning itself a Greenguard Gold certification. It also meets federal flammability standard 16 CFR 1633 without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. With all these standard safety measures met, you can rest assured that your child is tucked in safe and comfortable in this foam crib mattress.
However, if you are keen to avoid polyurethane foam, then this may not be the best baby crib mattress for you as the foam that it uses is the typical polyurethane foams. By all means, this does not make it a bad mattress, in fact, it is one of the best inexpensive crib mattress you can find in the market compare to others at a similar price point. Nonetheless, if you have a bigger budget, you may want to consider other brands on our list of baby mattress reviews.
5. Sealy Soybean Foam Core Infant/Toddler Crib Mattress
Voted as the best Sealy crib mattress amongst all other Sealy's crib mattresses, the Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Infant/Toddler Crib Mattress is another top baby mattress that we love for its many amazing features.
The extra firm yet lightweight foam is made with soybean oils provided by American farmers. Such soy-based foam-core offers improved durability over traditional foams and the use of renewable resources results in the use of less crude oils. As a result, this mattress also has higher breathability and is one of the best breathable baby mattress in the market. Not to mention that is so lightweight, it makes changing bedding a breeze - you can even do it with one hand!
This baby crib mattress is also loved for its pearl embossed waterproof and stain-resistant cover which makes it an easy-clean product. We are also super impressed with the thoughtfulness put into the lock-stitched binding design as this prevents any leaks from seeping inside the mattress. The is often overlooked by many so this is a very useful tip to look out for when you are choosing your baby crib mattress. Also, the square corner design ensures a snug fit in standard cribs.
Like all top crib mattresses, the Sealy Soybean Foam Core is Greenguard Gold Certified (meaning low chemical emissions for a healthier sleeping environment for your baby) and uses CertiPUR-US approved foam for durability and air quality. Other chemical-free standards such as phthalates, lead, mercury, formaldehyde, PBDES, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants are also met which otherwise would be a concern in non-certified foams.
However, some parents have reported that they found this mattress cracked and spoilt after a year's of use while others said that it sinks slightly after some time. This is something to take note of, regardless, this 100% US-made crib mattress is backed with a lifetime warranty on all workmanship and materials so there is not much to worry about. Also, do note that many other parents do not find such a problem at all and say that it lasts through its recommended 0-5 years of use.
For a dual-use baby crib mattress with features like that of the Sealy Soybean Foam Core, its price is reasonably affordable and is not as expensive as the Colgate Eco Classic III or the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer. And with all the awards under its belt (winner of the Women's Choice Award for America's Most Recommended Mattress & Bedding for 4 consecutive years), you can be sure the Sealy Soybean Foam Core is one top baby crib mattress.
2. Organic Baby Crib Mattress
For parents who want it 100% natural without any chemicals, an organic baby crib mattress is the way to go. Do note that there are manufacturers who deliberately mislead consumers with the word "organic", and that not all "organic baby crib mattress" are safe, so it is important that you make an informed decision before purchasing one.
Fortunately, we have done the job for you by eliminating inferior products and have came up with the best organic baby crib mattress in the market for you.
Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless Dual Firmness Crib Mattress
Amongst all that are available in the market, the Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless Dual Firmness Crib Mattress is the best organic crib mattress in our opinion.
Both the inside and outside of this crib mattress is made of 100% organic material with the outside being made of polyethylene waterproof surface that meets food standards. Not only is a waterproof surface easy to clean, it also means that there is an impenetrable barrier to dust mites and is therefore hypoallergenic.
With a 100% organic crib mattress like the No Compromise, you can be sure that this crib mattress is free from all toxic chemicals (that means no latex, coir, wool or other potential high allergy materials). It also exceeds all federal and state flammability standards without the use of potentially harmful fire retardant chemicals.
This is by far the healthiest organic baby crib mattress available and with dual firmness, it can be used from infant till toddler stage. The only downside is that it is also one of the most expensive baby crib mattress so that may be a deterrent to some. However, if this fits within your budget, we would highly recommend getting this Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress as it is truly 100% organic, excellent and trustworthy and safe to use.
3. What is a Crib Mattress?
A crib mattress basically means a mini mattress designed to fit snuggly inside your baby crib.
4. Do I need to buy a specific baby crib mattress?
Yes, you should definitely get a baby crib mattress, mainly for safety reasons. Crib mattresses have a standard size to follow which means most will fit well in baby cribs. If you use other mattresses, you may have to either fold it to fit inside your crib which in turn increase the risk of suffocation (if baby’s head is caught between the folds) or risk baby’s head falling into gaps if the mattress is too small. Either way, this is a serious safety hazard for babies.
Do you also know that a soft sleeping surface can be a suffocation hazard and raise the risk of SIDS? Soft mattresses can conform to the shape of your baby’s head or face and this increases the risk of suffocation. This is precisely why you should buy a mattress specifically designed for infant/crib as mattresses designed for older children and adults may not be firm enough.
5. What to look for in a Crib Mattress?
Material
There are two general types of crib mattresses – foam and innerspring. One is not necessarily better than the others, rather, it is more about choosing a top quality one in whichever type you decide to go for. At a glance, here are the differences between the two:
Foam
- Less Expensive
- Lighter in general
Because of these two factors, foam mattresses are generally more well-received from parents.
However, do note that there are still low-cost foam mattresses that use cheap packing foam so you should stay away from those as they will deteriorate over time.
Our tip? The heavier a mattress is, the more dense and firm it is. Press it down to see how far it goes. A good foam mattress shouldn't let you press too much into it. Nonetheless, weight is also important as you will need to change the sheet often so strike a good balance between the two.
Innerspring
- More expensive
- Heavier
Innerspring mattresses are generally the same type as that you are using yourself.
For baby crib mattress, choose one with around 135-150 coils and a gauge of 15.5 or lower. Remember, it is not the case that the more coils there is, the better.
Another thing you should look for is to see if it comes with border rods. These are rods that surround the perimeter of the mattress, both on the top and bottom to prevent sagging when babies go near the edge.
As mentioned above, a high quality foam mattress is as good as a top quality innerspring mattress so there is no reason of choosing one over the other. Our top rated mattress - the Colgate Eco Classica III - is a foam mattress and we think it serves its purpose well without having to spend too much on it. And there is always the organic mattress to go to if you wish to go 100% natural.
Firmness
As the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development recommends:
“Use a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib.”
The firmer, the better is the philosophy we believe in when it comes to choosing the best crib mattress for baby. Even if it may feel a tad too stiff for you, a firm crib mattress is the best for your infant because not only will it make bedtime more comfortable, it also supports an infant’s growing bones and keeps him safe while sleeping.
Weight
The best baby bed mattress should be dense so that it provides adequate firmness for baby but still be light enough for parents to manoeuvre and flip around. All mattresses recommended in our baby crib mattress reviews above are of a good weight that does not compromise quality.
Size
A crib mattress needs to fit comfortably in the crib. A good rule of thumb is to check if you can fit two fingers of space between the side of the mattress and the crib frame. If there’s more space than that, it means that your mattress is too small which automatically raises the risk of suffocation and entrapment hazard.
Another easy way to ensure a good fit is to check in the store whether the labelled size adheres to the standard legal size regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), which should be at least 27 1/4 x 51 5/8 inches and no more than 6 inches thick.
Waterproof & machine washable cover
Trust us, you will certainly want to find a crib mattress that is waterproof and easy to clean as you cannot avoid accidental leaks and spills from your baby onto the mattress. A waterproof mattress will ensure these irritants do not seep into the mattress thus preventing bacteria and other nasty stuffs from manifesting your baby's sleeping environment.
Hypoallergenic and Flammability
A simple, fool-proof tip to ensure you get a safe, non-toxic and chemical free baby crib mattress is to see if it there is the CertiPUR-US foam label as well as Greenguard Gold certification on the packaging. If there are, it is less likely you will go wrong and get an inferior product. All reviewed crib mattresses we recommended above bear these two certification.
Cost
Consider how much you are willing to spend on a crib mattress and this will help ease your choosing process. There are top rated baby mattresses of different price points listed in our crib mattress review above so you can definitely find something that suits your budget.
6. Should I buy a new or used crib mattress?
ALWAYS, and we cannot stress enough, ALWAYS buy a new baby crib mattress. NEVER buy used or accept hand-me-down mattress, or any other baby products in fact.
There have been studies that found the use of old crib mattresses links to an increased risk of SIDS - this report published by the British Medical Journal shows that there is valid statistical association between the two. Apart from this, we also do not recommend using an old mattress for the following reasons:
- Non-hygienic. You just never know how an old baby mattress is maintained by its previous owner. Poop and pee are common occurrences on a crib mattress, so if one is not cleaned and maintained well, such germs will remain inside the mattress. Trust us, you do not want to put your baby in such an environment.
- Dust-mite / bedbugs. As with the point above, you will not know if dust mites or worse, bed bugs exist in an old, used crib mattress. You also risk infecting your other furniture with these nasty bugs.
- Safety hazard. An old crib mattress will more or less lose its life as it has been used before. It will not be as firm as a brand new mattress and you may not know if it has became too soft that it now poses a safety hazard to your baby.
It is simply not worth it to put your baby through the risks of using an old hand-me-down mattress from someone else. If you have otherwise a well maintained, well-cleaned crib mattress from your firstborn which you now wish to use for your second child, you can certainly do so - at least you know it has been on good hands and is well preserved.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Now that you know which baby crib mattress to buy, the next item to choose (if not already) is the baby crib! Click here to read our in-depth guide on baby cribs as well as our recommendation of the Top Best Baby Cribs in the market!
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The Creaker C366 HD Monitor is leading in its kind in that it allows remote live video streaming via smart phone, tablet or PC Web browsers (IE/Firefox/Safari/Google etc). This means you are no … [Read More...]
