How we chose the best crib mattress padsĪlthough the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not have specific guidelines around crib mattress covers, it does have safe sleep specifications, which include having a firm, flat sleep surface. “Otherwise it could bunch up and create an unsafe environment,” says Casey. “A firm mattress pad shouldn’t sink when an item is placed on it.” It’s also important to pick a pad that fits snugly over the entire crib mattress. “You can test it by placing a heavy object onto the mattress pad to see how much it sinks,” says Jensine Casey, a certified pediatric sleep consultant. But because there’s no official safety standard or definition for what counts as “firm,” you’ll need to try the pad out for yourself. The best crib mattress protector should be firm and thin, because plush or quilted options could cause a suffocation hazard. The key to buying the right mattress pad is finding one that is safe and gets the job done. So it makes sense that you’d want to protect it from the inevitable diaper leaks (and, yes, poop-splosions) with a crib mattress pad. You spent time picking out the perfect crib mattress for baby’s nursery to make sure she has a good (and safe!) night’s sleep.
