A consistent schedule of napping, play time, snoozing, eating, and sleeping makes the world go ’round when you’re vacationing with a toddler. And the more comfortable your baby’s nest is, the more likely they may be to settle in and snooze a while.
We’ve already shared with you the best travel cribs. And now we’ve also done the leg work to find the best crib mattresses—most of which will fit your toddler’s bed and some of which can upgrade your playard, too. But be aware that not all crib mattresses are created equal when it comes to comfort and quality.
Best Crib Mattresses for Babies and Toddlers
Read on for the best crib mattresses for babies and toddlers—including everything from memory foam splurges to fiber-core firm mattresses—that provide a comfortable nap or night’s rest for your little one.
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Tempur-Dream 2-Stage Crib Mattress
The Ferrari of crib mattresses, the Tempur-Dream 2-Stage Crib Mattress by Tempur-pedic will practically put your baby to sleep for you. Okay, not really. But this thing is so comfortable—with its pressure-relieving material that’s been tested for safe use with children—that you might be surprised by how easily your little one finds the sandman once they plop down atop it.
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The mattress has a waterproof cover and can be used on either side (one side is firmer for newborns), making use of a technology designed to reduce motion transfer and relieve pressure points on the child. It’s fancy, yes, but if you’ve ever slept on one of Tempur-Pedic’s life-changing adult-sized memory foam mattresses, you know just the kind of comfort level to expect. And shouldn’t your baby come to know it, too?
Naturepedic Breathable Organic Baby Crib Mattress
A crib mattress from Naturepedic isn’t cheap, but we promise it’s worth every penny. The Naturepedic Breathable Organic Baby Crib Mattress is made of hypoallergenic organic materials—including organic cotton fabric and organic batting (the layers of material inside the mattress)—and doesn’t contain flame retardants or other hazardous chemicals. This waterproof mattress also features something called wavesupport™, a patented feature that makes it lightweight and easy to flip since the crib mattress has dual-sided firmness, with one side designed for infants and the other for toddlers.
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Naturepedic offers its baby mattress in several variations: Classic, Breathable, and Breathable Ultra, as well as mini crib and oval sizes.
Newton Baby Crib Mattress
Here’s another entry in the luxury crib mattress category that won’t cost you nearly as much as the Tempur-Pedic option. Designed to be fully breathable and washable, the Newton Baby Crib Mattress has a patented core made of 90 percent air and ten percent food-grade polymer, which helps with airflow and to keep your baby from getting a sweaty back. Dual firmness on both sides takes you from the baby years to the toddler ones. And the machine-washable, breathe-thru cover has two layers for comfort and air flow and comes completely off and on with ease. The mattress’s core can be completely washed, too, in the bath or shower and then air dried.
Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress
One of the best crib mattresses from Graco, the Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress ships compressed in a box, and you’ll be surprised how well it expands to fit your baby’s crib once you unroll it and let it spring back to shape. Sized to fit full-size cribs and toddler beds, the mattress’s core is made of breathable foam to maximize airflow and has a washable and water-resistant outer cover to help keep things clean.
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The mattress is also GREENGUARD Gold certified, meaning it’s free of prohibited phthalates, lead and mercury, and meets standards for low chemical emissions.
My First Memory Foam Crib Mattress by Mattress Firm
Here’s a hypoallergenic and antimicrobial memory foam crib mattress by Mattress Firm that errs on the more affordable side and might have you wishing for an adult-size version to match. Extra firm for your little snuggle bug’s safety and made from high-density polyurethane memory foam, the crib mattress is sized to transition from a standard crib to a toddler bed, ensuring years of use. The mattress corners are square so it fits snug in the crib and it comes with a removable waterproof cover, too, for those nap time leaks.
Dream on Me Foam Pack and Play Mattress
Looking for a mattress that fits with your Pack and Play to up the comfort level for your baby and toddler? Amazon has you covered with the Dream on Me Foam Pack and Play Mattress, a three-inch deep foam mattress designed to fit snugly inside most standard playard brands, including the ever-popular Graco Pack ‘n Play.
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The GREENGUARD Gold certified mattress has a waterproof and antimicrobial cover that’s easy to wipe down in the case of accidents or spills. Many people find it a vast improvement to the thin mattresses that are standard with playard-style travel cribs.
Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress
With a particularly firm infant side and a softer side for toddler mode, the Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Crib Mattress is a good option for a comfortable sleep that will grow with your child. The Moonlight Slumber Little Dream Crib Mattress weighs in at a portable 8.2 pounds and is quite a bit lighter than most crib mattresses. The interior is 100-percent foam with a non-toxic medical grade nylon exterior, and the square edges and corners give it a nice and snug fit in a baby crib or toddler bed.
Delta Children Twinkle Stars Fiber Core Crib and Toddler Mattress
Waterproof and lightweight, this crib and toddler mattress by Delta Children is a solid entry in the affordably-priced category. At nine pounds, it’s a cinch to lift out of the crib for sheet changes—which certainly can’t be said of all crib mattresses!
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The waterproof, vinyl cover that encircles the entire mattress keeps moisture from seeping into the fiber interior. And the mattress, which is GREENGUARD Gold certified, can be used on both sides, too.
Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Supreme Firm Mattress
Here’s another standard-size crib mattress from Safety 1st that’s hard to beat in the price conscious category. This sturdy mattress weighs less than 12 pounds and has a high-density thermo-bonded core that makes for a firm night’s sleep. The outer cover is made from 100-percent vinyl and can be easily wiped clean. To stretch the life of this mattress, it’s advised to flip it over every two to three months (even though the firmness is meant to be the same on both sides).
Serta Perfect Start Deluxe 2-Stage Crib Mattress
The Serta Perfect Start Deluxe 2-Stag Crib Mattress brings the comfort of an adult mattress to a cozy version for your infant and toddler. Dual firmness ensures the perfect level of density for both babies and toddlers, and the mattress comes with a waterproof and stain-resistant cover that makes it a cinch to keep clean. This crib mattress is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means it’s made without harmful materials and is also good for the environment.
This article on the best crib mattresses was originally published in September 2020. It has been updated to reflect the most current information and product availability.
