Want to give your baby some extra comfort in their crib? Maybe you’ve considered purchasing a crib mattress pad for your baby. However, buyer beware! There are some safety precautions about crib mattress pads that could affect which one is best for your baby. Here’s a quick overview of crib mattress pads, which will help you decide which crib mattress pad is the safest option for your baby’s crib.
Fitted Crib Mattress Pads
It’s usually best to choose a fitted crib mattress pad for your baby’s crib. While free-floating mattress pads may be more convenient or less expensive, they can cause problems for your child. For example, some foam-top crib mattress pads simply sit on top of the mattress, and have a fitted sheet over them. The sheet alone isn’t enough to secure the mattress pad, especially if your baby moves around a lot. This could mean that the mattress pad could get shifted to one side, creating a gap between the pad and the side of the crib. If this happens, your baby could be at risk for suffocation or other breathing problems. With a fitted crib mattress pad, you don’t have to worry as much about the pad becoming shifted to either side. Also, fitted crib mattress pads usually are able to be tucked tight around the mattress, making the crib a safer environment for your baby.
Types of Crib Mattress Pads
There are several different types of crib mattress pads that you might have the option of purchasing. A few of these types are:
Cloth Mattress Pads
Cloth crib mattress pads are usually very simple and inexpensive. In most cases, they’re actually just a few layers of cloth that sits between the sheet and the crib mattress. Cloth crib mattress pads usually aren’t waterproof, though they are easily machine washable.
Foam Mattress Pads
Many parents like the comfort of a foam crib mattress pad. However, it’s important that a foam crib mattress pad for babies is still firm enough to keep the child from being at risk of suffocation. Some types of foam crib mattress pads are plush, and should only be used for babies that are of toddler age.
Waterproof Mattress Pads
If your mattress isn’t waterproof (or if you just want some extra protection in your baby’s crib) you can purchase a waterproof mattress pad. These mattress pads may simply be a waterproof barrier, or they may have absorbent material on top to help catch any moisture.
Organic Mattress Pads
If you’re worried about environmental toxins, you might want to purchase an organic crib mattress pad for your baby’s crib. Since organic mattresses can be expensive, many parents often go for an organic crib mattress pad instead. A truly organic crib mattress pad will be free of toxic chemicals, dyes and any toxic fabrics.
Read More About Crib Mattress Pads
Here’s a bit more info for you to read about crib mattress pads:
- Organic Crib Mattress Pads