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As parents, we all want our kids to sleep in a safe and comfortable environment, including choosing the right kind of breathable mattress to suit their cribs and help them achieve restful sleep. There are so many crib mattresses out there that it can be hard to find the perfect one that matches both our babies’ needs and our budgets.
In my opinion, the best crib mattress is the breathable one, made of safe (even organic) materials, suits our infant’s crib without flaws, and ensures a comfy and high-quality sleep for our little ones.
In today’s article, I wanted to detail some of the best breathable crib mattresses on the market. Moreover, I wanted this to become a comprehensive guide in which I’ll also tell you the most important aspects to keep in mind when searching for a crib mattress.
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My Bottom Line Up Front!
All of the mattresses I’ve listed below are wonderful, and they come with numerous perks and a few disadvantages since no product is perfect.
Still, I personally have two favorites, and since I cannot decide between the two of them, I’ll say them both. One of my favorites is the Newton Wovenaire mattress due to its versatility, breathability, and the fact that it’s machine-washable.
I agree that the Newton mattress can be a tad pricey, but it’s worth it, being a premium baby product. My second favorite mattress is the Sealy Soybean one. I love that mattress because it offers you the possibility to use it until your infant grows to be five years old. It’s also made with renewable resources, which gives us the chance to save (or, at least, try) the environment.
Meet the #1 rated baby crib mattress. Completely breathable, greatly reducing the risk of infant suffocation. 
Best Breathable Crib Mattress Guide – My Top 6 Choices to Consider
Based on their functionalities, popularity, and effectiveness, I’ve picked the following mattresses. Obviously, their level of breathability was the most important feature I’ve considered. However, they’re not listed in any specific order.
A. Breathable Organic Crib Mattress from Naturepedic
Naturepedic is a very popular brand of crib mattresses, and they make some of the best organic mattresses on the market. This breathable Naturepedic mattress is organic, and its manufacturing process follows the highest standards of quality and safety in the industry. I love how many benefits this product has, from its waterproof core to its breathable surface made of organic cotton.
I also like that there are two available alternatives that you can choose from: you can either opt for the Naturepedic wave support core system or buy the mattress that features a coil innerspring. Both options are breathable and high-quality. In addition, the materials used to create this crib mattress are non-GMO and organic. In fact, this item is USDA-certified.
Another important aspect I enjoy about the mattress is its removable and washable cover. The company offers a money-back guarantee available for the first 30 days since the purchase to all its clients.
Naturepedic mattresses received numerous certifications, they’re made in the US, and they have boosted practicality. But, at the same time, what I don’t like are the high price of the product and the lack of a wide range of colors.
The Organic Breathable 2-Stage Baby Crib Mattress combines breathability and waterproofing for a safer, healthier and more hygienic crib mattress design. The mattress starts with a firm, flat waterproof surface made from non-GMO sugarcane that is so pure, it actually meets food contact standards and easily wipes clean.
B. Baby Wovenaire Crib Mattress from Newton
This Newton crib mattress is both washable and breathable. Newton is the industry leader in providing crib mattresses all across the US. Many news outlets feature Newton as a highly trustworthy and reliable brand. The manufacturer’s Wonvenaire mattress is quite affordable and breathable. The inner structure of the mattress allows proper airflow, while its design lowers heat retention.
You won’t find any dangerous materials in this mattress. It’s free from allergens, glue, latex, foam, and springs. The cover is as effective as the inner layer, and it features a revolutionary technology known as a 3-d spacer. Simply put, there are air pockets created in between the two layers of the lining so that the air can circulate freely whenever your baby moves in the crib.
Moreover, the cover is easy to remove due to its zipper system, and you can just clean it in the washing machine. Even the mattress can be deep-cleaned by soaking it in a large container (like the bathtub) full of cool water. To be on the safe side, you should also use cool water to clean the cover in your washing machine.
The downsides that bug me about this product are the loose fit of the cover and the price of the mattress.
This is the only crib mattress that's washable from cover to core. NO foam, glue, latex or springs, so your baby will enjoy a cleaner, hypoallergenic sleep.
C. Earth Breeze Stage-2 from Lullaby
This Lullaby Earth mattress took the market by storm in 2014 when it was first launched. Back then, the product represented a revolution in the industry. Due to all its wonderful features, this crib mattress received numerous praises from both parents and national publications. The 2-stage updated version is the latest model, which is much better than the original version.
I love that this mattress has two sides, making it highly versatile and boosting its lifespan. It works great with a convertible crib that serves both infants and toddlers. One side if firm and suitable for babies, whereas the second surface is plusher for boosted comfort, and it’s great for toddlers. I appreciate the fact that both sides are very breathable.
There’s also a waterproof inner layer that prevents mold from appearing inside the mattress. I love how this product is hypoallergenic, resistant to stains, machine-washable, and resistant to microbes and bacteria. Moreover, it’s free of harmful chemicals, and the company’s proof is its Greenguard Gold certification.
Lullaby Earth breathable crib mattresses provides 97% more air while breathing through the sleep surface than traditional crib mattresses according to independent tests. Our practical approach to breathability is effective without sacrificing hygiene.
D. Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress from Safety 1st
Before I begin, I want to tell you a fun fact regarding this company. It’s famous for its well-known yellow sign that says Baby On Board.
That sign was created back in the 1980s, and since then, Safety 1st has also marketed numerous other home and child-safety products. Now, let’s talk about the features of their Heavenly Dreams mattress and why this option could be a viable solution for you and your baby.
The core of this crib mattress is thermos-bonded, and it provides both comfort and support. One of the advantages that I like the most is the extended warranty of this product which is available for ten years.
Although it’s very lightweight, the mattress is also highly durable. Due to its lightweight feature, it will be easy for you to move it or flip it when you’re changing beddings.
Moms everywhere will be happy to know that this mattress is easy to clean due to its waterproof surface. All you have to do is use a cloth to wipe the mattress. It’s pretty affordable, breathable, and quiet. You won’t hear too much noise when your baby moves in the crib.
Let your little one dream big with the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress. The high-density thermo-bonded core offers firm support to ensure a restful night of sleep.
E. Eco Classic Breathable Mattress from Colgate
The Colgate Eco Classic mattress has reached its third generation, and it comes with numerous improvements. It accommodates babies well and makes them feel comfortable when they’re sleeping. Once your infant becomes a toddler, you can flip the mattress to use the softer side due to its dual-sided feature. That way, you won’t have to spend more money on a new mattress.
The mattress is six inches thick, fits all standard cribs, and comes with a waterproof cover made of organic cotton. You’ll be able to keep this mattress fresh for a long time due to its breathable memory foam structure. You may not like the product’s price tag, which is relatively high compared to other similar items.
The Eco Classica III Crib Mattress by Colgate Mattress is a 6" thick, dual firmness, foam crib mattress, with an organic cotton cloth surface that will last throughout the infant and toddler years with your eco-friendlier family.
F. Foam-Core Mattress from Sealy Soybean
Children can safely use this Sealy Soybean mattress from the moment they’re born to when they turn five years old. You can rest assured that, even when your little one develops and still uses this mattress, the product’s surface will remain intact without forming any depressions. At the same time, the product makes a bit of noise when your infant tosses, but it’s made of premium and safe materials.
Its core is made of soy-based foam, which ensures durability. Moreover, if you want to preserve the environment, you’ll be able to do that with this mattress because the manufacturer only uses renewable resources. You can move it with ease due to its lightweight design. The mattress won’t get stained if your baby wets the bed because the waterproof cover will protect it.
In my opinion, Sealy Soybean is an excellent choice in terms of price-quality ratio. When you place it inside the crib, it might sink a little, but it remains very supportive, and it’s suitable for a wide range of cribs.
The Sealy Soybean Plush Crib Mattress is an extra-firm foam core perfect for newborns and infants so they will have a secure, flat surface that pediatricians recommend.
Best Breathable Crib Mattress Guide – How to Choose the Perfect One
You must remember certain features when buying a crib mattress for your little one.
A. Firmness
All safety regulations concerning an infant’s well-being state that crib mattresses should be firm; firmer than the ones of a toddler. Firmness lowers the risk of accidental SIDS (suffocation). Their airways won’t get blocked as long as your little ones don’t sink into a soft mattress. The best breathable crib mattresses should have a firm and smooth surface without any indents.
At the same time, you should make sure your baby sleeps on their back. Babies need firmer mattresses than toddlers, older kids, and adults. Once your children grow and become toddlers, you should switch to a softer mattress. Plusher mattresses are perfect for toddlers since they offer a higher comfort level.
If you want your little one to enjoy a comfy rest, you could consider using a softer mattress after the age of six months old, when the suffocation risk lowers significantly. That way, you can provide comfort to your child without compromising safety. To achieve all these goals without spending a lot of money on two mattresses, you could opt for a dual-sided one instead.
B. Ease of Cleansing
It’s useless to spend a lot of money on a premium mattress only to find out that it’s hard to clean and high-maintenance. Because of that, the product won’t last you very long. For all the moms out there, one of the best ideas is to purchase a mattress that’s easy to clean. I strongly suggest you consider this when searching for this kind of baby product.
First, you will want to make sure you can easily and quickly take the mattress out of the crib. Then, the mattress should allow you to clean it in two different ways: a quicker dry or damp clean and a more thorough and deep cleanse. Removable mattress covers will allow a quick clean, while waterproof mattresses can be wiped clean with a wet cloth.
It would help if you always opted for machine-washable covers that save you a lot of time and effort. One of the reasons I love breathable crib mattresses is the fact that they dry quickly after you clean them. The ideal design, in my opinion, is the one featuring honeycombs and numerous air passages for boosted airflow.
C. Cover
Breathable mattress covers are typically made of natural materials such as weave or bamboo. They absorb moisture, allow airflow, and remove heat.
However, these covers are great at promoting air circulation near your infant’s body, but they aren’t as ideal at removing heat. What I mean is that a regular mattress with a breathable cover isn’t as effective and recommended as a breathable mattress.
Mattresses that are meant to be breathable are manufactured with special fabrics like springs, organic cotton, and aerated foam, all of which ensure proper airflow. While these types of mattresses are more expensive than regular ones, they’re also more durable, and they can be deep-cleaned, which expands their lifespan.
D. Certification
Certification is the most important aspect of buying safe products for your infants. So, make sure the mattress you’re about to purchase received all the required certifications. Independent organizations award these certifications to companies that manufacture baby products. It’s a certain way to let you know that all these items don’t pose any risks or health threats.
The Greenguard Gold certificate is the most well-known of all for crib mattresses. Due to this certificate’s requirements, all mattresses go through over 100 lab tests to see whether or not they release toxic chemicals into the environment or the space in which your baby sleeps.
So if your baby’s mattress has this certification, you can rest assured that your little one breaths clean air that’s free of chemical emissions.
Besides Greenguard, there’s also a global textile researcher that goes by the name of Oetko-Tex that certifies natural and organic materials. Another certification is CertiPUR-US which focuses on determining if the polyurethane foams included in the mattresses are safe. Most independent certifications are from non-profit organizations.
E. Size
Another practical consideration is the size and shape of the crib mattress you’re about to buy. Many mattresses have square corners, which is a plus since they lower the gaps that might occur between the edge of the mattress and the crib. The bigger the gaps, the higher the risk of your baby’s legs or arms slipping down is.
I recommend purchasing mattresses with squared designs because it’s easier to achieve a snug crib fit.
All the mattresses I’ve included in today’s article follow the US regulatory standards in terms of size. In other words, a regular crib mattress measures approximately 52 inches in length and has a width of about 28 inches.
To check if the mattress has a suitable fit for your baby’s crib, you should make sure that the space between the crib’s edges and the mattress doesn’t accommodate more than two fingers.
F. Waterproof
If you want to expand the lifespan of your mattress, placing a waterproof pad on top of it will help you achieve that. These pads are also pretty easy to clean. Still, if you buy a cheap and low-quality pad and place it on top of your premium crib mattress, issues could occur.
For instance, cheap pads are made of unsafe materials that prevent airflow. They also retain heat and fail to regulate the temperature of your baby’s body. So if you still want to use pads, at least make sure they’re hypoallergenic, safety certified, and created from natural materials.
G. Natural Materials
Please pay close attention to those companies that invest a lot in an aggressive marketing strategy that promotes how natural their mattresses are. Many of those products are said to contain plant-based foams. In reality, they only have very low amounts of those safe and natural fabrics; the rest is made of other materials that feature harmful chemicals in their structure.
The best place to start is to find those mattresses that received the Oeko-tex certification.
FAQs
Question: What Exactly Are Breathable Crib Mattresses?
Answer: Breathable mattresses have a particular structure and fabric layers that allow proper airflow. This further leads to a safe, comfy, and sound sleep since your baby won’t experience body overheating. They also lower the risk of suffocation.
Question: How Do Breathable Crib Mattresses Work?
Answer: Breathable crib mattresses are effective when it comes to body temperature regulation, moisture absorption, airflow, and rebreathing. Rebreathable air might increase carbon dioxide, but breathable mattresses will prevent that by dispersing that particular substance that we humans form when we exhale.
Question: Which Is Better Between Foam Mattresses and Coil Mattresses?
Answer: It all depends on your needs, preferences, and expectations. For instance, coil mattresses are better if you plan to use them even when your baby becomes a toddler. On the other hand, foam mattresses are much more comfortable and versatile.
Question: Are Breathable Crib Mattresses Effective?
Answer: Yes, most breathable mattresses designs rely on effective airflow technologies that enable air circulation and prevent overheating. Numerous breathable mattresses can also absorb moisture, leading to a night of high-quality sleep.
Best Breathable Crib Mattress Guide – Bottom Line
Buying breathable mattresses for your baby’s crib is essential. With these products, you’ll ensure that your little one breathes safely and comfortably. Breathable mattresses are also known as air-permeable, so your babies will still have plenty of air even when they sleep on their tummies.
All the items I’ve included above are worthy of your consideration. And, even though I’ve already stated my two favorite choices, feel free to check out all of them before making a final purchasing decision.
Meet the #1 rated baby crib mattress. Completely breathable, greatly reducing the risk of infant suffocation.
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