Best Mini Crib Mattress Reviews and Buyer Guide 2023

If you’re looking to maximize space in your nursery or have a safe bed away from home, a mini crib can be a lifesaver. Unfortunately, most mini cribs don’t come with a mattress, and the ones that do usually supply only a thin, uncomfortable pad. What’s a parent to do?

As mini cribs grow in popularity, manufacturers are offering more options for smaller versions of traditional crib mattresses, and many of these mini models have the same comfort and safety features as their full-size counterparts.

When choosing the best mini crib mattress for your child’s needs, there are several factors that you’ll need to keep in mind. Here’s a closer look at the key features to look for while shopping, how to care for your mattress and in-depth reviews of our favorite mini crib mattresses.

What to Look for in a Crib Mattress

Just like standard crib mattresses, mini models can come with a variety of construction styles, materials and features. How you plan to use your mini crib and your child’s specific needs are your best guide in navigating the options.

Construction Type

Although certain manufacturers are experimenting with new materials and techniques, most mini crib mattresses fall into two general construction types.

Foam – Just as memory foam mattresses are gaining popularity with adults, foam mattresses are the most common type of mini crib mattresses available today.
Foam offers the benefits of being comfortable and lightweight, and some models offer a cooling gel ingredient that can help prevent overheating.

Innerspring – Metal coils within the mattress distribute weight evenly, and foam or fabric encases each spring to help prevent uncomfortable pressure points.

Even though they should usually weigh less than 15 pounds, innerspring mattresses are usually among the heaviest options available.

Dual Firmness

Almost all dual-sided mattresses use foam construction, and these mattresses have a separate level of age-appropriate cushioning on either side. The infant side has a firm surface to minimize the risk of suffocation, and the toddler side uses thicker foam to make a softer surface.

Since they safely accommodate children from newborns to toddlers, these mattresses are a great option for families who want to get a few years of use from one purchase.

One downside is that dual-sided mattresses tend to be near the top of the price scale. However, the fact that you won’t need to purchase a separate mattress as your child reaches toddlerhood can make a dual-sided model a cost-effective long-term option.

Breathability

Babies are at a higher risk for suffocation since they often lack the strength and coordination to move out of a dangerous sleeping position, so it’s crucial to make your baby’s bed as breathable as possible.

Key crib safety steps like laying your child down on a flat surface, using a firm mattress and having minimal bedding or other objects in the crib are some of the best ways to keep your child’s face free from obstructions during sleep. In the interest of further increasing safety, some brands are branching out from the traditional methods for mattress core construction. Thanks to materials like woven polymer strands, these manufacturers have significantly increased mattress breathability.

Dimensions

To keep your child as safe as possible, your crib mattress should fit snugly and have minimal gaps between the mattress and the crib’s side panels.

As opposed to standard cribs that must follow strict measurement guidelines, mini cribs can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Make sure to measure your crib’s interior space carefully, and pay close attention to each mattress’s dimensions to ensure a safe, snug fit.

Chemical Air Emission Levels

Some parents may be uneasy about their baby’s frequent, close contact with potentially toxic mattress materials such as PVC, phthalates, certain flame retardants or industrial chemicals. These are certainly legitimate concerns, especially since your child will be spending so much time laying in their bed.

Greenguard Environmental Institute is an organization that tests for air emission levels in a variety of products, including mini crib mattresses. Products that have earned the Greenguard Gold Certification have extremely low toxic emissions, so make sure to look for this certification if you’re concerned about chemical exposure.

What Are Hypoallergenic Mattresses?

Environmental allergies usually don’t present a significant problem for most babies. However, your child’s crib mattress might be to blame if your child shows any of these symptoms during the night or at nap time.

• A runny nose
• Itchy, watery, red eyes
• Frequent sneezing
• Coughing or wheezing

Even with the best cleaning and care routine, mattresses and bedding are prime areas for old skin cells and pet dander to accumulate, creating a draw for dust mites and other allergens. Hypoallergenic mattresses can help reduce allergic reactions by using materials that make an inhospitable surface for dust mites to invade.

Additionally, some babies may have a sensitivity to certain common mattress elements, and hypoallergenic models use materials that are less likely to cause a reaction.

Care Tips for Your Crib Mattress

After you’ve selected the perfect mattress for your mini crib, taking good care of it is the best way to make sure you get every bit of use from your investment. Here are a few ways to keep your crib mattress in tip-top condition.

Even with the best cleaning and care routine, mattresses and bedding are prime areas for old skin cells and pet dander to accumulate, creating a draw for dust mites and other allergens. Hypoallergenic mattresses can help reduce allergic reactions by using materials that make an inhospitable surface for dust mites to invade.

Additionally, some babies may have a sensitivity to certain common mattress elements, and hypoallergenic models use materials that are less likely to cause a reaction.

Care Tips for Your Crib Mattress

After you’ve selected the perfect mattress for your mini crib, taking good care of it is the best way to make sure you get every bit of use from your investment. Here are a few ways to keep your crib mattress in tip-top condition.

Washing Your Crib Mattress

From spit-up episodes to leaky bottles to diaper explosions, messy things can happen in the crib. Even if you manage to keep wet messes at bay, other dry materials like dust or skin cells will still build up and require cleaning.

Most mattresses have a waterproof layer already built into the outer cover, and it’s a breeze to wipe these watertight covers clean with just a damp cloth. However, you’ll have to do a bit more work if you have a fabric-covered model. Since different mattresses have differing construction styles and materials, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the care tag.

In general, cleaning a fabric mattress involves several steps.

1. Strip the bed and vacuum the mattress surface thoroughly.
2. Dilute a gentle detergent in water, and use a cloth to wash the mattress surface with circular motions. After you’ve washed both sides of the mattress, fill a container with clean water and wipe the mattress surface again to rinse.
3. Let the mattress dry completely, preferably in the sun or a breezy area.

Rotating Your Crib Mattress

If your child sleeps on the same area of their mattress all night and during nap time, you’ll probably start noticing material breakdown and indentation over time. Rotating your child’s mattress regularly helps distribute weight over different areas, so you can extend your mattress’s life and help your child sleep comfortably and safely.

Since the usual mattress rotation recommendation for adult mattresses is about every three to six months, rotating every three months is probably an appropriate goal for a crib mattress.

Flipping the mattress is also a good way to ensure even weight distribution. However, never flip a dual-sided mattress until your child is ready. If you have a dual-sided model, stick to a regular rotation schedule.

When to Replace Your Crib Mattress

With average use and proper care, most crib mattresses have a life of about three years. After this period, you may start encountering material breakdown or worn-down pressure points.

Even if your mattress is less than three years old, it’s time to get a replacement if you start noticing signs of damage.

Mini Crib Mattress Reviews

Dream On Me 3″ Spring Coil Mini / Portable Crib Mattress

If you’re an innerspring mattress devotee yourself, this mini crib option from Dream on Me offers your baby the same comfort that you enjoy every night.

Steel coils provide a firm surface with excellent support and weight distribution. To maximize comfort and prevent pokes from odd angles, a layer of soft polyurethane foam surrounds each coil.
This mattress has a wipeable, waterproof outer layer, so cleaning up any bottle spills or diaper leakage is a snap.

Standing just 3 inches tall, this mattress won’t take up too much space in your child’s mini crib. The surprisingly high weight is one downside to this mattress, especially since Dream on Me eliminated excessive height.

Summary

This mattress delivers comfort and support for your baby’s sleep, and the waterproof cover makes it easy to keep your mini crib clean and sanitary. Thanks to the extra weight of the innerspring construction, you’ll need to use a little extra strength to lift the mattress for sheet changes.

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Dream On Me Holly Portable Crib Mattress

The Holly Portable Crib Mattress from Dream on Me has a comfortable, simplistic design that makes this mattress an equally great option to use at home or away.

The dense foam core provides a firm sleeping surface that is still soft enough for your baby to rest comfortably. Weighing in at only 3 pounds, picking this mattress up to change your child’s sheets is a breeze. Additionally, the lightweight foam can be a convenient feature if you use a portable crib while traveling or at someone else’s home.

The waterproof covering provides an excellent barrier against spilled bottles, spit-up and leaky diapers, and the surface easily wipes clean with just a bit of soapy water. One gripe is that the matress cover tends to make a fair amount of noise when it gets pressed on. This issue probably won’t be much of a concern for a newborn who can’t yet roll over, but older infants who tend to move around in their sleep may notice more noise.

Summary

This foam mattress does a good job of providing a comfortable sleeping surface that is still firm enough for young babies to safely sleep on. The waterproof surface cleans up in a jiffy, but the extra crinkling noise may bother your baby if they are a light sleeper.

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Milliard Mini Crib Memory Foam Mattress

For babies who are a bit older and ready to progress to a softer sleeping surface, the Memory Foam Mattress Topper might be the perfect solution for adding a little cushion to a firm infant mattress.

While this mattress topper is ideal for everyday use, it may also prove to be a lifesaver if you use a portable crib while traveling. Most portable cribs include a thin pad, but they’re often not very comfortable. Adding a layer of foam cushioning might help your child (and everyone else) get a little more sleep away from home. Additionally, with its lightweight, soft material, this mattress topper is easy to pack.

The outer cover provides a waterproof barrier for the memory foam core, and a handy zipper lets you easily remove the cover to toss it into the washing machine in the event of a mess or for routine cleaning.

One note of caution: Even though it feels comfortable, the softness of memory foam can present a suffocation hazard for very young babies, so wait until your child is a little older to use this mattress topper.

Summary

For older babies and toddlers, this cushy foam mattress topper can turn a firm infant mattress into a comfortable surface for naps and nighttime. Keeping your child’s bed clean and fresh is a breeze thanks to a zipper opening and machine-washable materials.

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Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer Dual Sleep Surface

While a waterproof cover certainly makes the cleaning process easier, the watertight materials can sometimes produce an annoying amount of sound. Moonlight Slumber managed to get the best of both worlds with their smooth, effective waterproof cover that is also silent.

Interior seams and flat corners eliminate nooks and crannies that may harbor dirt or other substances, so you can easily wipe the surface completely clean. Additionally, the waterproof outer layer provides a hypoallergenic sleeping surface.

Dual-sided foam construction provides both a safe, firm infant surface as well as a softer toddler side. While safety is always of paramount importance, some babies and toddlers may find that this mattress is too firm for their liking.

Summary

Even in the face of diaper explosions, midnight accidents or spills, keeping your Little Dreamer mattress clean is as easy as a wipe with a damp cloth, and your child can enjoy a silent night even if they tend to move around in their sleep.

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Moonlight Slumber Baby Bluebird

With a combination of helpful features, high-quality materials and smart construction, the Baby Bluebird can last your child from the infant to the toddler days.

Thanks to dual-sided construction, the Baby Bluebird is equally appropriate for newborns and toddlers. Moonlight Slumber also added cooling gel into the toddler side, so your child can stay at a comfortable temperature all night. Each side has a marking that corresponds to the infant or toddler foam density, but one minor issue we have is that the marks can be a little hard to see.

Even if you run out of clean sheets, the cover’s smooth cotton surface is soft enough for your baby to sleep on comfortably. The cover is machine washable, and the zipper closure makes it easy to take the cover off or put it back on.

The waterproof cover contains no vinyl, PVC or chemical flame retardants, and it also doesn’t make any noisy crinkling sounds when your child rolls over or moves around in their bed.

Summary

This premium mattress provides just the right level of support for either infants or toddlers, and the machine-washable zippered cover has a soft cotton surface that also keeps liquid messes away from the foam core.

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Serta Sleeptrue 4″ Mini Mattress

Even though the Serta Sleeptrue Mini Mattress comes in close to the bottom of the price scale, it still delivers an impressive number of features and quality construction.

Plastic from recycled bottles makes up the raw material for the foam core, making this mattress an eco-friendly choice you can feel good about. Additionally, Serta produces the Mini Mattress in the USA.

This mini crib mattress also boasts a dual-sided design, so it can be a great long-term choice. However, the dense foam on the toddler side may be a little too firm to be comfortable for some children.

The waterproof cover is soft to the touch and provides a reliable barrier against liquids soaking into the foam core. The mattress surface resists staining and is easy to wipe clean, so those messy surprises you find in your baby’s crib can disappear quickly and without a trace.

Summary

The Serta Sleeptrue Mini Mattress offers an eco-friendly and low-emission option at an attractive price, and the stain-resistant, waterproof outer cover makes short work of keeping your mattress clean and sanitary.

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Conclusion

No matter which mini crib mattress you decide is best for your family, the safety and comfort features that are available today have never been better, so you and your child can both enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

What kind of mattress did you choose for your child’s mini crib? What did you like about it, and what do you wish was different? Tell us about your experience in the comments!