

Halo DreamWeave Breathable
Best breathable crib mattress
Your baby will sleep 12 to 18 hours daily in their first year. That means they spend most of their early life in a crib, and you’ll want to ensure that space is as comfortable and safe as possible. That last bit is critical: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a mattress that’s not firm enough or is too small for the crib can be dangerous. Soft sleep surfaces and gaps between the mattress and crib increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Traditional innerspring crib mattresses are typically firmer and more durable than foam mattresses. Sealy Baby’s FlexCool crib mattress shines in this category with its 204 coils and anti-sag steel bars for support. A higher coil count translates to a firmer mattress, as there are fewer gaps between each coil. Innerspring mattresses tend to sleep cooler because air can flow freely between the springs.
The FlexCool is a two-stage crib mattress with an extra-firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, which means it’s tested to ensure it doesn’t emit chemicals that could affect the air your child breathes. One downside of innerspring crib mattresses is that they’re heavier than their foam counterparts. The FlexCool weighs just shy of 15 pounds. That might not sound like a lot, but the extra weight could make changing sheets more of a chore.
Pros:
- Flippable for two firmness options
- More affordable price range
- Hypoallergenic and Greenguard Gold Certified
Cons:
- Heavier than an all-foam mattress
- Cover is not machine washable
Additional details:
- Type: Innerspring
- Feel: Firm
- Mattress weight: 17.75 pounds
- Dimensions: 51.63 x 27.25 inches
- Thickness: 5.5 inches
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
- Price: $
Sealy FlexCool 2-Stage Crib And Toddler Mattress
If you have a bigger budget, the waterproof crib mattress from Newton Baby is an excellent option. Newton prides itself on breathable materials and construction, including innovations like Newton’s proprietary Wovenaire core. It’s made of food-grade polymer mesh, which is 90% air by volume. This allows air to flow freely through the mattress, reducing the risk of suffocation. As a bonus, it also lets you hose down the mattress if it gets super-gross — just be sure to set aside for two to six hours to let it dry. The cover is also washable and waterproof. Hopefully, that’s enough to catch messes before they hit the mattress, but it’s nice to have options just in case.
The Newton is a dual-stage crib mattress with a fully breathable side for babies and a waterproof side for toddlers who may be potty training. The mattress is not organic, though the company says the materials are hypoallergenic. It’s also Greenguard Gold certified, which is good if you plan to put those breathability claims to the test (I see you, curious dads). Though it’s pricey, the Newton could give you extra peace of mind.
Pros:
- Mattress is 100% washable, even the core
- Innovative breathable technology
- Waterproof barrier on toddler side
Cons:
Additional details:
- Type: Food-grade polymer
- Mattress weight: 14 pounds
- Dimensions: 52 x 28 inches
- Thickness: 5.5 inches
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
- Price: $$$

The Newton boasts some impressive tech, but it’s not the only breathable crib mattress in town. Halo, a safe-sleep pioneer known for its sleep sacks and swiveling bassinet, has a breathable crib mattress that’s worth a look. Called the DreamWeave after its breathable mesh core, the mattress is made of food-grade polymers, but it’s mostly pockets of air. The mattress cover is also breathable and has two sides: a 3D mesh quilted side for infants and a waterproof toddler side to protect against accidents. Should a mess make it through the cover, the mattress itself can be rinsed off like the Newton.
The Halo DreamWeave is Greenguard Gold certified and made with hypoallergenic materials. Though this mattress is still among the category’s pricier picks, it’s cheaper than the Newton and offers similar features.
Pros:
- Open strand core for increased airflow and breathability
- Completely washable
- Waterproof lining
Cons:
Additional details:
- Type: Food-grade polymer
- Feel: Two firmness levels; firm side for infants
- Dimensions: 52 x 28 inches
- Thickness: 4.5 inches
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
- Price: $$

There are many reasons to choose a mini crib over a full-size crib. They have a smaller footprint than their full-size counterparts, which means you’ll have an easier time fitting one in your room. Some mini cribs fold and have legs with lockable caster wheels, making them easier to store and move. If you decide a mini crib is the right fit for your baby and living space, then you’ll need a crib mattress to go with it.
Though full-size cribs must accommodate a standard mattress size, there’s no such regulation for mini cribs. Manufacturers tend to stick to a certain size (24 by 38 inches), but measuring your mini crib is still important to ensure you’ll have a close fit. If your mini crib is a common size, the Dream On Me is a standout choice. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, has a waterproof cover and is exceptionally lightweight at just 2.5 pounds. On top of all that, it’s very affordable at under $50.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Portable and durable
- Extremely lightweight
Cons:
- Does not fit standard crib size
- Hand wash only
Additional details:
- Type: Fiber
- Feel: Extra firm
- Mattress weight: 2.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 38 x 24 inches
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
- Price: $
Dream On Me Holly 3” Fiber Portable, Greenguard Gold Certified, Waterproof Vinyl Cover, Lightweight Mini Crib Mattress, White
Generally, crib mattresses fall into two main categories:
Innerspring mattress: An innerspring crib mattress is a more traditional mattress that relies on internal coil springs for support. The higher the number of coils, the more supportive the mattress. Because they include hundreds of steel coils, innerspring mattresses are almost always heavier than their foam counterparts. They also tend to be pricier.
Foam mattress: Foam crib mattresses make up the vast majority of the market. They’re typically made of polyurethane foam and can be relatively inexpensive, thanks to their simpler construction. Within the foam crib mattress category, there are breathable mattresses with woven polymer cores that allow air to pass through more easily.
You’ll often see this certification on crib mattresses and many other baby products. Greenguard Gold certification signifies that a product has passed a battery of testing for chemical emissions called Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs are released as a gas from paints, cleaning supplies and other materials. A Greenguard Gold certified product emits a very low amount of VOCs, if any.
Though Greenguard Gold is the most prevalent certification among crib mattresses, you’ll see others. CertiPur-US is similar in that it certifies a product has low VOCs, but a mattress with this certification has also been made without ozone depleters, toxic flame retardants or phthalates. However, Greenguard Gold is generally considered the more stringent standard.