I Bought This Organic Crib Mattress for My Second Baby, and Wish I’d Had It for My First

When I was preparing my second daughter’s nursery, there was one thing I knew I did not want: The same crib mattress. My older daughter’s mattress did the job just fine; it was firm and waterproof. But it always struck me as noisy — as if the waterproof cover and spring coils squealed with her every movement — and I worried it kept her from sleeping deeply. Plus, after a cross-country move, despite being fully protected, it ripped on both sides, which made me feel that it was cheaply constructed. So, the second time around, after doing a lot more research, I decided on the Naturepedic Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress.

Time and again, I had seen Naturepedic crib mattresses reviewed as some of the best baby mattresses in terms of safety, comfort, and support, and the company is also one of the expert-picked 2024 Cubby Nursery Award winners. The Naturepedic mattress I chose is much more expensive than the one we picked for my eldest, but after months of use I know we’ll be using it until our baby is ready to graduate to a big-girl bed. Here’s my review and why I think it was absolutely worth the price tag.

Let’s start with what I look for when selecting a baby mattress.

• It has to be extra firm. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, to reduce the risk of infant SIDS, a baby should always sleep on their back on a firm, flat mattress with a fitted crib sheet. As such, I only would consider extra-firm mattresses designed specifically for crib use.
• It should be waterproof. Diaper leaks and blowouts are an inevitable part of infancy. I wanted to make sure that if we had any middle-of-the-night accidents, that cleaning up would be quick and easy.
• It should come with a warranty. I wanted to know that if my baby refused the mattress, or we were unhappy with it, for whatever reason, we wouldn’t be on the hook for the expensive price — especially if any problems or defects came to light.
• It should have two stages to be used into toddlerhood. While it’s important for newborns to sleep on an extra-firm surface, once they’re toddlers it’s OK to transition to a slightly softer mattress. For this reason, I wanted a two-stage crib mattress that had a second, softer side for toddlers that could be flipped over when ready.
• It should be organic and non-toxic. Before having kids, I didn’t read much into the fine print when buying a new mattress. But I’ve since learned that so many are loaded with chemicals and problematic materials. That was not something I wanted to expose my new baby to from day one.

The Naturepedic Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress is available in three different options. The first, and most affordable, is the simple, lightweight cotton mattress with a wave spring inner core, priced at $279. The second option, which we chose, is the lightweight two-sided mattress with a softer side for toddler use. Finally, the innerspring two-sided version is $339.

• Name: Naturepedic Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress
• Model: Lightweight 2-stage
• Materials: Organic cotton, waterproof coating made from non-GMO sugarcane, polyethylene foam, steel fasteners, and polypropylene for the interlinings
• Max weight: 80 pounds
• Dimensions: 27 1/4 x 51 5/8 x 6 inches. It fits standard-size cribs and toddler beds.

After good health, there is really nothing more important to parents of infants than sleep, which is why I’m so happy to have a mattress I know my daughter will happily sleep on for years. No, a mattress can’t guarantee your baby will be a good sleeper, but it can only help if they’re comfortable on it. Here’s what else really stood out to me:

• The construction is high-quality. One of the first things that struck me when I opened the box that the mattress came in was how thick and sturdy it was. It felt so much more dense and hefty than my older daughter’s mattress, and I couldn’t imagine it ripping easily.
• There are no harmful chemicals. Even if my baby doesn’t sleep through the night, I rest easier knowing her mattress is free of harmful materials such as flame retardants, vinyl/PVC, phthalates, polyurethane foam, or allergenic latex. It’s made with U.S grown, certified organic cotton and meets the organic standards of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). It’s UL/GREENGUARD and Made Safe certified, too.
• The exterior is waterproof and easy to clean. If my baby has a leak, all I have to do is wipe off the mattress with a cloth. It won’t seep inside, thanks to an outer casing made from an organic cotton fabric with a waterproof coating from non-GMO sugarcane that doesn’t contain any glues or adhesives.
• It’s not loud or bouncy. Unlike my older daughter’s crib mattress, which seems a bit too much like a raincoat to me, this one is not squeaky. Because it has a wave support core (instead of innerspring), it’s not bouncy, either. Transferring my sleeping daughter to the crib is quiet and peaceful.
• The trial period and warranty are impressive. If you buy a Naturepedic mattress directly, it comes with a 100-night free trial and a lifetime limited warranty.
• The two-stage option makes it a good value. I didn’t want this to be yet another piece of baby gear I tossed out after mere months of use. That’s why I appreciate that this mattress comes with a softer side designed for toddlers, and a clear label to distinguish which is which. We’ll be using this for several years.

There isn’t too much I dislike about this mattress, although there are a few things to keep in mind.

• It’s pricey. Although I saved by buying the mattress during a Black Friday sale, it’s definitely more expensive than other mattresses I considered.
• Premium add-ons will raise the price, a lot. In addition to the three options for the Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress, Naturepedic offers upgraded versions of this mattress that are even pricier. The Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress, which includes a removable, breathable mattress protector, starts at $369. Then there’s the Breathable Ultra 2-Stage Crib Mattress, which is similar but thicker and starts at $459.
• It doesn’t feel “lightweight.” The mattress dubs itself lightweight in the model title, but when I lifted it out of the box for the first time I thought it felt really heavy. According to the Naturepedic website, my model is 11 pounds, and the innerspring option, weighs even more.
• Shipping took a while. I purchased my mattress directly from Naturepedic and it took two full weeks to receive it, which is something to keep in mind if you need it within a certain timeframe. I did, however, purchase it during the busy Black Friday shopping period to take advantage of their sale, and other retailers like Amazon could have delivered it much sooner.

Buy it: Organic Cotton Crib Mattress, Lightweight 2-Stage, $299 from Naturepedic

See all the 2024 Cubby Nursery Award winners here!