Table of Contents
- History of the Babyletto Crib Mattress Brand
- Where Are Babyletto Crib Mattresses Made?
- Are Babyletto Crib Mattresses Reliable?
- Side by Side Comparison: Coco Pure vs Pure Core Crib Mattresses
- Review of the Top-3 Babyletto Pure Core Crib Mattresses
- Review of the Top-2 Babyletto Coco Core Crib Mattresses
- SUMMARY
- Final Word
- FAQs
If you have looked up Babyletto crib mattresses, you may have come across Coco Core and Pure Core models and wondered how they differ. This article unpacks all the differences between the two Babyletto crib mattress lines so you can make an informed, confident choice.
Choosing a crib mattress for an infant baby can be a confusing, exhausting experience. Besides your budget, there’s so much to consider, with safety top of the list. Unless you are working from a shortlist of recommendations, the dizzying variety of options doesn’t make the task any easier.
Among the top options, you will find in your research are Babyletto crib mattresses. The Babyletto brand markets the Coco Core and Pure Core crib mattress lines. Between the two lines, 5 standard-sized mini crib models would all be good choices for your precious bundle of joy.
We’ll highlight these 5, but before we do, let’s briefly look at the history of the Babyletto brand.
History of the Babyletto Crib Mattress Brand
Babyletto is a children’s furniture brand that, besides crib mattresses, also markets cribs, dressers, baby changers, bookcases, storage chests, nursery seating, and bedding.
The Babyletto brand is owned by Million Dollar Baby, a family-run children’s furniture wholesaler that was started in 1990 by Daniel Fong, a former venture capitalist.
Million Dollar Baby boasts a stable of six brands of cribs and mattresses that target different styles and price points. The company sells its products through major retailers like Amazon, The Home Depot, Target, and different specialty baby furniture retailers.
The Babyletto brand itself was launched in 2009 and is the brainchild of Daniel’s son, Teddy. When he and his sister Tracy made the inspired decision to start distributing the company’s products through online retailers, it set the company on a rapid growth path.
Starting with e-Bay then moving onto e-comm giants Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other retailers that sell online, Babyletto has now added its website as another online sales channel.
Where Are Babyletto Crib Mattresses Made?
Every parent wants to give their infant babies the best start to life, the very foundation of which is a safe sleeping environment. For this reason, many are prepared to spend as much as it takes to get the right crib mattress. Knowing where a crib mattress was made gives an idea of its level of quality.
According to the company itself, Babyletto crib mattresses are made at factories in Slovenia, Hungary, and Taiwan. They are then shipped in boxes to be sold in the USA. This is surprisingly uncommon for the major crib mattress brands, quite a few of whom make their mattresses here in the USA.
Crib Mattresses Made to American Standards, Outside America
While Babyletto crib mattresses are not made in America, something that many consumers use to gauge quality, they are ‘made to the highest standards.’ The cribs and mattresses conform to the voluntary standards set by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and meet the regulations mandated by the CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission).
Are Babyletto Crib Mattresses Reliable?
Babyletto crib mattresses have a good reputation for quality and meet the requirements for safe sleep set by the CPSC. They are firm and are made to fit Babyletto and other brands’ standard size cribs, with quality features that cater to the needs of babies. The Babyletto crib mattress collection also includes dual-sided models that deliver good quality shut-eye for older babies transitioning to a toddler bed.
Babyletto says that its cribs are tested quarterly to make sure they adhere to federally-mandated guidelines. The company has an in-house product design team that ensures that its cribs and mattresses are up to current standards and trends in baby furniture.
A quick search on Google and leading retail sites like Amazon shows that Babyletto crib mattresses sell well and are positively reviewed by customers.
That’s not to say Babyletto does not have issues to address with its crib mattresses. There have been reports of the removable cover shrinking after washing the first time.
Certifications
According to the company’s website, it aims to manufacture high-quality products that surpass national safety standards. So, the brand’s crib mattresses easily meet CPSC regulations and ASTM standards. The company also claims to have a quality control program that allows it to stay ahead of industry standards.
Greenguard Gold certification badges that Coco Core and Pure Core crib mattresses have earned and proudly display validate the Babyletto brand’s safety claims. The Greenguard Gold seal certifies that the mattresses have been independently tested and found to meet the body’s rigorous standards.
Greenguard has some of the world’s toughest safety standards. It tests products for over 10,000 chemicals and over 360 VOCs that can cause health problems in children. Certification means the tested mattress emits such low quantities of these chemicals and VOCs that it can be considered safe for your baby.
Side by Side Comparison: Coco Pure vs Pure Core Crib Mattresses
Babyletto sells its crib mattresses under the Pure by Babyletto range. The range is divided into two lines, namely Coco Core and Pure Core. While the two lines share some features, they have some that are unique to each, and which set the two crib mattress lines apart.
Below we discuss the main Babyletto crib mattress features and qualities and, in the process, point out where the Coco Core and Pure Core children’s mattresses differ.
Core Materials
The core is the most important part of a mattress. It is what gives the crib mattress its structure and firmness. Pure Core crib mattresses have a core of coconut husk coir and natural latex foam, which are non-toxic, environmentally sustainable materials. On the other hand, Coco Core mattresses have a core of layered pure polyester.
While a lot of noise is made of polyester being a synthetic material, it isn’t toxic and has some good properties. Some of these properties have been widely harnessed in the clothing industry.
You will learn below how the materials used to make Pure Core and Coco Core crib mattresses affect the most critical factors in crib mattress selection.
Firmness
The natural latex and coconut husks give Coco Pure mattresses a more bouncy feel than the Pure Core mattresses. On its own, natural latex would be quite soft (and expensive), so the coconut husk and a few chemicals help to stabilize and make Coco Core crib mattresses firmer.
While Coco Core crib mattresses are firmer and have a more solid feel, Pure Core mattresses are also quite firm and will hold their shape well. One feature that the latter has and which the former lacks is its reversibility. Pure Core mattresses have a 2-stage design, which means one side is firmer and suitable for infants while the other is cushier and more comfortable for toddlers.
Breathability
Polyester mattresses have great breathability, which is good for temperature regulation. Natural latex is also breathable but doesn’t quite compare with polyester.
Your baby will not sleep hot or cold whichever mattress you choose between the two Babyletto lines. But if your climate gets too hot or cold, a Pure Core model will be the better option.
Weight
One of the things that count against natural latex is its heavyweight. That also explains the decision to pair it with the lightweight coconut husk coir for the Coco Core crib mattresses. Because polyester is also lightweight, Babyletto Pure Core mattresses are lighter than their Coco Core substitutes.
Lightweight mattresses make it less of a chore to change bedding, which often requires you to lift the mattress to tightly secure the fitted sheet. That said, you will also find that they aren’t always the firmest mattresses you will find. So, you may still choose to go for the firmer Coco Core models.
While weight is an expendable quality for some parents, the next crib mattress attribute is universally coveted.
Waterproofness
Waterproofness is a difficult attribute to achieve for a crib mattress. Washability seems more achievable but still, of the crib mattress brands we have looked at, only Newton claims to make 100 washable models.
Polyester does have good moisture resistance but for hygiene and your baby’s safety, Babyletto still wraps its polyester-based Pure Core crib mattresses in removable waterproof covers.
The removable covers that are designed to fit specific Coco Core and Pure Core models have replacements that you can buy separately. You can choose an easy-care model that you can simply wipe down to clean and dry or the washable one with a waterproof inner layer that is covered in an organic cotton fabric.
Because babies will only develop bladder control later and since diapers can tear or break, a crib mattress that does not absorb moisture is an absolute necessity. The washable covers with an organic cotton face are the luxury and healthier option but just the fact that the mattress itself will not absorb moisture will create a safe and hygienic sleeping environment for your growing tot.
Fire resistance
Pure Core models are more fire-resistant because polyester is naturally resistant while natural latex is highly flammable. That doesn’t mean that Coco Core mattresses are a fire risk and should be avoided. The natural latex the mattresses use is treated with fire retardants to reduce their flammability and bring it down to safe levels.
The mention of fire retardants has probably set your safety alarm off, as it should. This brings us to the next point.
Health and sustainability
The natural latex used for the Coco Pure crib mattresses’ core needs to be treated with unsafe chemicals to reduce their flammability. That means Pure Core models, which do not need to be treated with fire retardants, are a safer option, both in terms of fire risk and off-gassing potential.
In fact, of all materials used in crib mattress cores, polyester has the lowest carbon footprint and is off-gassing. Despite being a synthetic material, polyester has no known health problems or allergy issues.
Crib mattresses from both Babyletto ranges are vegan and hypoallergenic, which sets them apart from other brands. Pure Core models seem to be the healthier and safer option, but are they more sustainable too?
Perhaps just slightly. We have already mentioned that polyester has the lowest carbon footprint among all core materials used in making crib mattresses. We should add that polyester can be recycled many times. The material is not biodegradable, which means it would have to be burnt if it is not recycled. Recycling is kinder to the environment.
On the opposite side, natural latex is biodegradable but a cheaper and easier process for recycling is proving elusive. The only viable secondary use for the material is ‘waste to energy’ incineration. Otherwise, your crib mattress will end up in a landfill somewhere where it should hopefully decompose back into organic matter to feed new rubber trees.
Now that we know how Pure Core and Coco Pure crib mattresses square up in terms of must-have features and desired attributes, let’s separate and review the individual models:
Review of the Top-3 Babyletto Pure Core Crib Mattresses
1. Babyletto Pure Core Mini Hybrid Crib Mattress
Some parents like to use mini-cribs for their infant babies. This Babyletto mini-crib mattress would be a good choice if you’re buying a replacement for an old mini-crib. Otherwise, you will do well to buy it with one of the Babyletto mini-cribs, which the mattress is made to fit.
The mini-crib mattress has a pure polyester core that is firm and supportive for infants. At 3.18 lbs, the mattress is lightweight, which means bedding changes should be a breeze.
Consumers have noted that the mini-crib mattress is so firm that some parents have complained that it’s hard. Perhaps that is the point for the hybrid 2-in-1 quilted waterproof cover.
The mattress cover has a waterproof backing made from food-grade polyethylene that gives it a moisture barrier. The quilted cotton, therefore, seems an attempt by the designers to make the mattress a bit more comfortable. We came across complaints that the mattress cover shrinks when washed.
Like other Babyletto crib mattresses in the Pure range, this one is GreenGuard Gold certified, which shows it has been independently tested for harmful chemicals and VOCs.
Since the mattress passed GreenGuard’s rigorous testing, it shows that the manufacturer managed to keep any toxic content within safe levels. Despite the safety concerns raised, reviews for this Babyletto crib mattress are largely positive.
Babyletto Pure Core Mini Crib Mattress, Hybrid Waterproof Cover
Pros
- Firm and supportive
- Comfortable quilted cotton cover
- Washable cover
- Lightweight
- Fully recyclable core
- Allergen-resistant
- GreenGuard Gold certified
Cons
- Cover shrinks when washed
2. Babyletto Pure Core Standard Dry Crib Mattress
Looking for a crib mattress your baby will grow with? This 2-stage Pure Core crib mattress fits the bill. It has a firm side your baby can use right from birth and a softer side they can switch to once they are a bit older and it’s safe to do so.
This standard-size crib mattress has a super-breathable pure polyester core that does not emit any chemical smell, which means clean indoor air for your tot. Given that and the GreenGuard Gold certification, you should feel comfortable putting your baby to sleep on this mattress.
A few parents have complained that the mattress is hard, which, if you listen to the ‘if it’s soft and comfortable for you, it’s too soft for the baby’ advice, means it is safe for your baby.
Your baby’s diaper is going to leak at some point. This mattress comes with a dry waterproof cover that protects it from those diaper accidents. The cover has a breathable, more comfortable fabric on the top and a PVC-free waterproof backing that provides moisture protection. Cleaning the cover is a simple case of wiping it down with a wet cloth.
At one point there seemed to be a mislabelling issue with this crib mattress. The directional arrows that show the softer and firmer sides showed the opposite of what they were supposed to. The safety danger is that you can use the softer side for an infant baby. Let’s hope this was a momentary safety control issue that won’t be repeated.
Babyletto Pure Core Standard Dry Crib Mattress
Pros
- Extra firm for safety
- Breathable waterproof cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Recyclable pure polyester core
- Dual-sided
- Long warranty
Cons
- Cover is not washable
3. Babyletto Pure Core Standard Smart Crib Mattress
Except for the removable cover, this standard-size crib mattress has the same features and dimensions as the one we just reviewed. It is dual-sided, with a pure polyester core that is breathable and lightweight.
It is reassuring that the mattress has undergone rigorous testing for hazardous chemicals and VOCs, which it has passed as shown by the GreenGuard Gold badge. You can rest easy knowing that your baby will sleep and play in a safe environment where the air it breathes is clean.
If you read reviews before buying (as you should), you will come across some complaints that the mattress is not non-toxic as claimed because polyester is a synthetic material.
Yes, polyester is man-made, but it is far from being unsafe and has a lot of good properties as a mattress material. A few of its attributes are that it is highly breathable, has a very low carbon footprint, is 100% recyclable, and doesn’t off-gas.
About that mattress cover we mentioned earlier, it is water-repelling, not waterproof. What this means is the mattress will not immediately absorb moisture. Because it is made from a tightly woven hydrophobic fabric, water beads on the surface and does not immediately absorb into the fabric.
Another quality of this water-repellent mattress cover is that it wicks moisture away from the skin, so your baby’s skin remains fairly dry even after a diaper accident. To cap it all, the cover is breathable. And with the naturally breathable polyester core, this is one of the most breathable mattresses on the market.
Babyletto Pure Core Standard Smart Crib Mattress
Pros
- Extra firm
- Highly breathable
- Water-repelling, removable cover
- Hypoallergenic
- GreenGuard Gold certified
Cons
- It is not waterproof
Review of the Top-2 Babyletto Coco Core Crib Mattresses
1. Babyletto Coco Core Mini Smart Mattress
Babyletto crib mattresses have developed a reputation as an affordably priced premium option that does not suffer from the off-gassing weaknesses of the budget crib mattresses. The effect is buyers feel short-changed and are, thus, less forgiving when they discover a safety or quality issue. That appears to be the case with this Coco Core mini-crib mattress.
Because latex foam has to be treated to reduce its flammability to recommended safe levels, it does give off a chemical smell. However, if you unbox in a well-ventilated room, the smells should quickly dissipate.
For a mini-crib mattress that’s not the cheapest, even that low-level off-gassing is hard to recover from. In some ways, this one does, though. The biodegradable natural latex foam is quite bouncy and coupled with the coconut husk coir, this provides a firm and comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. This mini-crib mattress is not waterproof, but that’s not a weakness per se. Instead of being waterproof, the cover is water-repelling, which means it doesn’t immediately absorb moisture.
Liquids bead on the surface of the hydrophobic fabric the cover is made from. So, you can dab them off without the cover getting wet. It also means there is a good chance the mattress itself will stay dry even if the diaper leaks.
Babyletto Coco Core Mini Mattress
Pros
- Firm yet comfortable
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy-care, water-repelling cover
- GreenGuard Gold certified
- Elastic seam for easy cover removal
Cons
- Expensive
2. Babyletto Coco Core Standard Dry Crib Mattress
This is the standard-sized version of the Babyletto Coco Core mini-crib mattress with a dry waterproof cover. Like the smaller mini-crib version, it is not as popular as the Pure Core models. Feedback from customers suggests the low endorsement may be a function of the high price that doesn’t quite match the quality.
We will start with the attributes, which this mattress certainly does not lack. For one, the hybrid core of the bouncy natural latex foam and naturally firm coconut husk coir ensures the mattress is firm and supportive for your baby’s growing body.
This crib mattress doesn’t come cheap at almost double the price of its direct Pure Core substitute. You want to get the most use out of it, which means protecting it from diaper leaks and other wetting accidents. The waterproof cover with a soft cotton face and polyethylene backing provides this moisture protection.
One weakness of this crib mattress is that it is quite thin, at only 3.25 inches deep. The mattress doesn’t even clear the metal bolts that hold the crib frame together. Whether or not that causes a safety risk, is not very reassuring.
The only explanation for the shallow depth is that the designers were worried the mattress would be too heavy. Natural latex foam is a dense and heavy material. So, while the mattress is firm and safe, it doesn’t live up to its high-price promise.
Babyletto Coco Core Standard Dry Crib Mattress
Pros
- Firm and supportive
- Made from eco-friendly materials
- Protective waterproof cover
- Hypo-allergenic
- GreenGuard Gold certified
Cons
- Not deep enough
- More expensive than the Pure Core alternative
SUMMARY
Final Word
Pure Core crib mattresses are undoubtedly more popular with buyers than Coco Core models. And it’s not just for the cheaper prices. These Babyletto crib mattresses are firm, breathable, and good for both your baby and the environment. We feel they offer the most bang for your buck and would deliver more quality zzzs for your precious baby.
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FAQs
Babyletto Pure Core mattresses are highly breathable. Thanks to the mattress core that is lightweight and permeable.
Babyletto cribs, which are sold under a variety of brand names, do not come with mattresses. You must buy the crib mattress separately. Since the brand has a popular line of crib mattresses that it recommends for its cribs to ensure a perfect fit, you will do well to stay on brand.
Standard-size mattress dimensions, as are those for standard-size cribs, are federally regulated by CPSC. So, in theory, all standard-size crib mattresses should fit all standard-size cribs. However, to be on the safe side, you need to check that the mattress’s dimensions match your crib before buying.
All mini and standard-sized Babyletto crib mattresses are GreenGuard Gold certified, which means they have been rigorously tested for harmful chemicals and VOCs and found to be safe. Furthermore, the mattresses use the purest materials, including coconut husk coir, natural latex foam, and pure polyester, a recyclable synthetic material that is known for its extremely low off-gassing.
Most babies will be ready to switch to the softer side of a 2-stage mattress by their first birthday. However, children differ as some develop slowly, so it’s best to observe your baby before deciding if they are ready for their toddler side of the mattress.
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