Baby Crib Mattresses

Colgate Foam Supreme II

Baby Mattress Myths & Facts

Myth #1:  The crib mattress purchase is not that important.

Fact #1:  Hidden underneath the beautiful bedding and nestles in the bottom of the designer crib, the mattress is often purchased as an afterthought.  But, your infant will spend up to 70% of the time sleeping on the mattress.  Even as a toddler, your child will spend up to 50% of the time sleeping or playing on the crib mattress.  Comfort, safety, and durability should be primary concerns of parents purchasing a crib mattress.  Shop and compare.

Myth #2:  The longer the warranty, the better the crib mattress.

Fact #2:  Wrong!  This is a marketing gimmick.  More important than warranty is the number and quality of the mattress materials, the integrity of the company making the mattress and, the quality of the store where the mattress is purchased.  A good crib mattress will last longer than any child will use it, unless the cover is ripped or torn which always voids any warranty.

Myth #3:  All crib mattresses are the same size.

Fact #3:  Crib mattresses can vary slightly in length and width.  Most innerspring mattresses are 5" or 6" think or, somewhere in-between.  Foam mattresses come in standard thickness of 4", 5" and 6."  In-between sizes in foam mattresses may indicate mattress inferiority.  For baby's safety, the crib mattress should fit snugly into your crib.  No more than the width of two fingers should separate the mattress from the headboard, footboard or side rails.

Myth #4:  All crib mattresses are "firm."

Fact #4:  True, but there are different degrees of firmness and there is no industry standard to measure firmness.  Shop, press, squeeze, compare and ask a knowledgeable salesperson.  Also, firmness should increase as greater weight or pressure is applied to the mattress.

Myth #5:  The best way to test for mattress firmness is to squeeze it on the sides and corners.

Fact #5:  The best way to test for mattress firmness is to place the palm of one hand flat on one side of the mattress in the center of the mattress and place the palm of the other hand flat on the other side of the mattress directly opposite your first hand and press.  The greater the pressure needed to squeeze the mattress, the greater the firmness.  Another way to test for firmness is to lay the mattress on the floor and using the flat palm of your hand in the center of the mattress, press.  Squeezing the crib mattress along the sides and corners will tell you only about the degree of edge support.  Firm edge support is especially important for toddlers who will stand and jump on the edges of the mattress while holding on to the crib rails.

Myth #6:  Innerspring mattresses are better than foam mattresses.

Fact #6:  Many parents prefer the familiarity of an innerspring mattress.  But, thanks to modern science, a good quality foam mattress offers excellent support for both infants and toddlers.  Better quality foam mattresses are often comparably priced with innerspring mattresses.

Myth #7:  The more coils an innerspring mattress has, the better the mattress.

Fact #7:  The number of coils in an innerspring mattress has only a small part in determining the mattress quality.  The total amount of steel in the mattress, i.e., the thickness of the steel coils, the added support of a steel border rod, the type of material used as an insulator, the quantity and quality of the cushioning materials, as well as the quality of the mattress cover are the major determinants of overall innerspring mattress quality.

Myth #8:  Coils that operate independently are better than coils that are connected together.

Fact #8:  There is no special benefit to independent coils in a crib mattress.  A quality innerspring crib mattress distributes the child's weight evenly and provides a firm comfortable surface for your child's development.

Myth #9:  It is impossible to tell the difference between a better quality foam mattress and a lower quality foam mattress.

Fact #9:  It's not easy, but it's possible.  The quality of the foam mattress is generally determined by: 1. firmness - the more firm, the better 2. density (weight) - heavier generally means better quality and greater durability 3. cover - the more layers of laminated, reinforced vinyl the better (three is usually the best).  Lastly, the better quality foam mattresses generally cost more than the inferior quality foam mattresses - but not always.  This is why we recommend you buy a name brand mattress from a specialty juvenile retailer with knowledgeable and informed sales personnel.  Test and compare foam mattress firmness and weight.

Myth #10:  Vents along the sides of the mattress are better than no vents.

Fact #10:  Yes and no.  On the positive side, vents allow the mattress to "breathe" and refresh itself.  Negatively, vents permit airborne particulates to enter the mattress.  Vents do add to the cost of the mattress and, the best vents are brass rather than steel or aluminum.  There are two styles of vents: standard vents and rows of small eyelet vents. 

Myth #11:  Quilted mattress covers are much better than plain vinyl covers (also called ticking).

Fact #11:  Wrong!  Multi-layered vinyl covers with nylon reinforcing are the most durable.  There are also excellent quality anti-bacterial mattress covers.  Quilting two vinyl layers together does add some durability when compared to non-supported vinyl, but is not as durable as a laminated vinyl.  Quilted vinyl does add some cushioning to the mattress cover.

Helpful Hints: Foam Mattresses

• Infants should sleep on a very firm mattress, but many toddlers prefer a softer mattress.
• A better quality foam mattress will regain its original shape quickly after being squeezed or laid upon.
• Compare firmness and total mattress weight to determine quality.  Select the most firm and the heaviest weight crib mattress.

Helpful Hints: Innerspring Mattresses

• More important than the number of steel coils, does the mattress have a border rod and how thick is it and how thick is the steel of the coils.  The thicker the better.  Note: the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel of the border rod and coils (9 gauge is thicker than 13 gauge is thicker than 15 gauge).
• Important for toddlers who tend to jump on the mattress edges, a heavier gauge steel border rod provides more edge support than a thinner gauge border rod or no border rod.
• The greater the number and better the quality of the insulator and cushioning materials, generally, the better the quality of the crib mattress.
• A permalator, which is a criss-cross mesh of wires that lays directly on top of the coils and protects the insulator and cushioning materials from sinking into the coils, is generally found on only the best and most expensive crib mattresses.

Facts and Hints compliments of Colgate Mattress company.



Colgate Foam Supreme II

• 5" Firm Foam
• Double Laminated Reinforced Vinyl Cover
• Brass Vents
• 15% Denser than most competitors
• Finest Quality Materials
• Made in the USA
• Colgate specializes in the manufature of crib mattresses
• Many other styles to chose from. Call today!

Pali Crib Mattresses

Luxury Innerspring Mattresses for Your Child

Medi Pedic

• Super thick border rod for edge to edge support with square corners for a safer, snugger fit.
• Advanced Wonda Coil and adult style inner spring gives more uniform support than traditional round coil units.
• Adult grade extra firm non-allergenic polyurethane foam for increased firmness
• Dust mite resistant cover in Centurion nylon treated to prevent bacterial growth
• Cloud9 price: $159.95

Ortho Comfort

• Ortho-Comfort Zone with 2-in-1 Firmness
• Made exclusively with Tuff Tech nylon
• Super thick border rod for edge to edge support with square corners for a safer, snugger fit.
• 2-in-1 Firmness - One side is for infants with Cone Wave Foam with medically proven comfort cells to help relieve pressure points and increase circulation. The reverse side is firmer with extra high density adult grade foam for toddlers.
• Centere Guard Foam Filled Coils - Interactive foam coil system for anti-sag protection.
• Advanced Wonda Coil innerspring posture coil tech construction gives more uniform support than round coil springs.
• Foam stabilizer bars for full width support and extra firmness.
• Cloud9 price: $189.95

Cloud9 is happy to offer a wide range of mattresses for your baby's comfort. Please call today for information on these and other fine baby crib mattresses 1-417-779-0204.