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Finding the perfect mattress for your new baby’s crib can be a daunting task. With so many different brands and retailers on the market, how can you be sure that the mattress you’re buying is safe, comfortable, and right for your baby?
Luckily, retailers like Amazon have a wide selection of crib mattresses to choose from! We’ll walk you through every step you’ll need to take to find the crib mattress your baby needs.
How to Shop for a Crib Mattress at Amazon
With misleading sales, unverified sellers, and fake reviews occasionally clogging up the market on Amazon, some new parents may be hesitant to use the retailer to shop for a crib mattress. However, navigating Amazon’s vast marketplace is easy, if you know what to look out for.
Don’t Get Bogged Down by Amazon’s Large Inventory
The sheer number of products sold through Amazon can be intimidating, but the retailer has organized its inventory into several specific categories, making shopping much easier. To see their full selection of crib mattresses, head here. You can also narrow your search further by checking out all of Amazon’s top-rated crib mattresses here.
Know Your Budget
Before you look through Amazon’s selection of crib mattresses, you should take some time to figure out your budget. Depending on the brand, crib mattresses on Amazon can cost between $40 and $400, fitting a wide range of budgetary needs. If you’re opting for a cheaper crib mattress, just make sure you thoroughly research the brand and read all the reviews before you make your purchase. Amazon also frequently runs sales, so the price of that high-end crib mattress you have your eye on may drop before you know it!
Buy Directly from Amazon
In their list of tips for “shopping safe” on Amazon, WIRED suggests that shoppers buy directly from Amazon, not third-party sellers. This way, you can rest assured knowing that your purchase and any returns are managed solely by Amazon. This will save you any frustration down the line should you need to return your new crib mattress!
Avoid Misleading Reviews
Have you ever been reading the reviews of a product on Amazon and noticed similarities between overly positive reviews? According to WIRED, some third-party sellers on Amazon will manipulate their reviews, falsely boosting ratings. They suggest using a tool like ReviewMeta, which will tell you how many of the reviews of a product are real or fake.
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Crib Mattress at Amazon
From the quality of the mattress to the real-life experiences other parents have had with them, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind while you’re shopping for a crib mattress from Amazon. Below, we’ll break down everything you should consider as you begin your search for the perfect mattress for your new baby.
Brand Quality
As you begin your search for an Amazon crib mattress, one of the most important steps you should take is researching the crib mattress brands you’re interested in. Take some time to research outside of Amazon reviews by checking out the manufacturer’s websites – you may be able to find more information about the mattress, as well as more reviews to read through. Additionally, search for product recalls to see if the brand you’re interested in has had to pull certain crib mattresses from the market due to safety concerns. Look for recognizable and popular crib mattress brands like Naturepedic, Sealy, Graco, and Dream On Me, all of which are available on Amazon.
Product Safety
The last thing a new parent wants is to discover that the crib mattress they’ve bought for their new baby is unsafe. It can be difficult to understand which chemicals and materials used in crib mattresses are safe, so look for certifications from organizations like Made Safe, UL/Greenguard, CertiPUR-US, and the Global Organic Textile Standard in the product description. These groups test products for dangerous chemicals – like carcinogens, heavy metals, and other toxins – that could harm your baby’s health.
Firmness
You should also look for crib mattresses that meet the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for firmness. According to the AAP, a crib mattress should be firm enough that it doesn’t conform to the shape of your baby’s head. Further, mattress manufacturer Naturepedic recommends that crib mattresses should be rated between 8 and 10 on the mattress firmness scale.
Buying a Used Mattress
If you’re interested in buying a used crib mattress from Amazon, you may want to reconsider. There is a chance that a used crib mattress may contain allergens, unpleasant odors, and general wear and tear, rendering it unsafe for your newborn. Green Active Family suggests buying a new crib mattress if you’re able to but has compiled a useful guide to buying a used crib mattress.
Sizing
The U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission (CSPC) requires that your crib mattress is at least 27.25″ x 51.25″ inches, with a thickness no larger than six inches. The CSPC also recommends that there are no gaps larger than two inches between the sides of your crib and the mattress. Ideally, the gap should not exceed one inch.
Product Reviews
When in doubt, read the reviews. No one knows more about the quality of a product than the people who bought it and getting the perspective of other parents will help you narrow down your search for a crib mattress on Amazon. When you head to the review section on Amazon, you can narrow down the reviews based on popular words or phrases. For example, you can filter reviews that mention “comfort” or “off-gassing” (which is the period it takes for a product to lose the smell it may have picked up from packaging).
Shipping and Returns
Once you’ve done all your crib mattress research, check for certifications, and read the reviews, it’s time to make your purchase! But before you click “Add to Cart,” check how long it will take your Amazon crib mattress to ship. Amazon is known for its quick shipping times, but with supply chain issues and delayed deliveries from postal carriers, you should plan for every possibility. Most crib mattresses on Amazon ship within six to 10 business days, but to be safe, you should order your new crib mattress well in advance of when you’ll need it.
If there’s a problem with your order once you do receive it, Amazon’s return policy allows you to make your return within 30 days. This applies to items shipped directly by Amazon and most sellers, so you have some leeway when it comes to returning your crib mattress. Once your return is received by Amazon, you’ll get your full refund within three to five business days.
Financing Options
If you’re not able to purchase a crib mattress for the full amount listed on Amazon, the retailer does have options to finance your purchase through the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. If you choose to finance your crib mattress purchase, you will make a small payment every month until the purchase is paid off.
Amazon has two different credit cards available to customers – the standard Amazon Rewards Visa Card and the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card. Keep in mind that you will be applying for a new line of credit if you choose to finance your Amazon purchase with this option.
Pros & Cons of Buying a Crib Mattress at Amazon
Pros
- Large inventory
- Wide range of prices
- Easy returns
- Financing available
- Frequent sales
Cons
- Risk of misleading/fake reviews
- Unreliability of third-party sellers
Things to Pay Attention to When Buying a Crib Mattress at Amazon
| Aspect | Comment |
| Reviews | Read a wide variety of positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded idea of the quality of the crib mattress. |
| Quality | Look for recognizable and popular brands on Amazon. |
| Product safety | Check for certifications from Made Safe, UL/Greenguard, CertiPUR-US, and the Global Organic Textile Standard. |
| Shipping time | Most crib mattresses on Amazon ship within six to 10 business days, but always check before you make your purchase. |
| Returns | Amazon allows you to make your return within 30 days of receiving it. You’ll receive a full refund for your purchase 3-5 days after it is received at an Amazon fulfillment center. |
| Financing | Customers can easily apply for an Amazon Rewards Visa Card to pay for their crib mattress in installments. |
| Mattress Firmness | Crib mattresses should be firm, not soft, to protect and support your infant’s head. |
| Size | A crib mattress should be at least 27.25″ x 51.25″ inches, with a thickness no larger than 6”. |
Check Out More Of Our Crib Mattresses Reviews
FAQ
Crib mattress prices range between $40 and $400 on Amazon.
Common add-ons for crib mattresses include mattress pads and covers, which are helpful when you need to clean up accidents. They also keep the base mattress clean. Amazon sells a wide selection of crib mattress accessories, like this award-winning crib mattress protection from Margaux & May.
Crib mattresses should be firm (i.e., an 8 to 10 on the mattress firmness scale) to keep your baby’s body supported without sinking.
This is entirely up to you. Organic crib mattresses tend to cost between $100 and $400. However, you can rest assured knowing your baby’s crib mattress is free of dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and heavy metals like lead when you choose an organic crib mattress. Look for certifications from Made Safe, UL/Greenguard, CertiPUR-US, and the Global Organic Textile Standard on the product page to be sure the crib mattress is as safe as it claims to be.
2-stage crib mattresses are dual-sided mattresses that can be flipped over during different stages of your child’s development. The infant side of a 2-stage crib mattress is firmer, while the toddler side is softer. For example, this Naturepedic crib mattress can be used both in infancy and toddlerhood.
Your crib mattress should meet safety standards set by the CPSC and the American Society for Testing and Materials. Additional certifications to look for include Made Safe, UL/Greenguard, CertiPUR-US, and the Global Organic Textile Standard.
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