The 4 Best Crib Mattresses of 2026

As with all infant products, there are a lot of claims around safety when it comes to crib mattresses. Understandably, many companies want to tout their safety records to nervous new parents, packing their websites with certifications and claims about organic and hypoallergenic materials, pediatrician recommendations, and breathability.

All of the experts that we talked to agreed that structural stability was the most important safety concern for a crib mattress. These elements — such as proper firmness, strict size restrictions, and minimum flammability requirements — are highly regulated by the CPSC; all crib mattresses for sale must meet those requirements.

Beyond that, the experts we interviewed were divided on the significance of so-called eco-friendly materials in crib mattresses and the potential dangers of chemicals and other contaminants in crib mattresses.

Potentially harmful substances — both those that can be emitted into the air, like VOCs, and things that can be ingested, like phthalates — can be present in many baby products, such as pressed wood furniture or plastic toys. Scientists are still studying how exposure to some of these chemicals may impact children in the long term, which has led some experts to advise a precautionary approach.

Christina Johns, a pediatrician with 25 years of experience, said that while she understands the concerns around chemical irritants, she hasn’t seen any evidence that certain types of crib mattresses are causing injuries or illnesses in children. If that was the case, “we would know about this, and we aren’t seeing it,” she said.

Mattress companies throw around the term “breathability,” but when talking about babies, it’s generally used to imply that even if an infant ends up face down in their crib, they are less likely to suffocate if their crib mattress is more “breathable.” Some even come close to making claims about infant safety that could lead a parent to think that their mattress can prevent SIDS.

Crucially, no crib mattress company can legally say that their product can prevent or reduce SIDS; in a statement, a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration confirmed this, saying, “The FDA is not aware of any clinical or scientific evidence that shows that currently available baby products prevent or reduce the chance of SIDS.”

The FDA actively discourages people from buying products that make these claims, as certain products, such as infant sleep positioners, have been found to be dangerous.