As a mom, you prioritize the comfort and wellbeing of your baby. It’s why you’re always looking to create the most comfortable and safest environment for that little bundle of joy, whether at home or on the road. The best pack and play mattress can be of huge help to busy or working moms. An old saying tells you to sleep when your baby sleeps. But things don’t always work out like that.
You want to ensure that your baby is super comfortable even when he or she falls asleep while playing. The best pack n play mattress serves as a multi-purpose place of familiarity and exploration for your little one. It’s designed for play and mobility. When buying this accessory, consider the firmness degree, the material, portability, safety, and other key features. Read on to find out all you need to know about the available options and how to choose the best pack and play mattress for your adorable baby.
Do I Really Need A Separate Pack N Play Mattress?
To eliminate the risk of SIDS, parents choose to put the pack n play in their room. But the pack n play pad is typically stiff and you want your baby to be as comfortable as possible. Buy a separate firm pack n play mattress, which keeps your little one safe and comfy. Make sure the mattress fits perfectly and doesn’t leave any gaps.
Is the Mattress Breathable?
To ensure a top-quality play space and make sure your little one enjoys exceptional quality sleep, choose a breathable mattress. Some items are breathable naturally, while others include side vents. If you cover the mattress with a protecting sheet, ensure it’s hypoallergenic and BPA-free. Make sure air can circulate freely through the mattress for ventilation.
Make Sure The Mattress is Non-toxic
Ensure the mattress is made of hypoallergenic and antibacterial materials. The mattress should pass by the Federal Flammability standards to eliminate any risk of hazards. Choose a mattress which is proven to be free of any dangerous chemicals or substances. Ensure your baby is safe from exposure to any toxic solutions.
Best Pack n Play Mattresses in 2021
The Hiccapop Pack and Play Mattress Pad is a lightweight product made to fold and just go. It’s perfect if you’re often travelling and need a portable sleep accessory for your baby. It delivers a safe and comfy sleep surface for your little one. It’s a dual sided mattress, which mixes firmness with the gentle support of the foam. For exquisite comfort, flip the product over to the plush softer side including CertiPUR-US memory foam.
For exceptional comfort, the mattress is extra thick. It’s 2.25 inches thick and made to ensure a cozy and safe sleep.
What I love about it:
- It’s dual sided for superior support and increased comfort;
- It’s thick for exceptional comfort;
- The product is waterproof, non toxic, and stain-resistant. The mattress’s cover is antibacterial, waterproof, and hypoallergenic.
- It fits the pack and play perfectly.
Something to keep in mind:
- It may not fit all pack and play designs.
Most Comfortable:
The Milliard Classic Pack N’ Play Mattress offers a top-quality sleep to your little bundle of joy. Built with exceptional materials and high-density foam, the mattress achieves excellent balance between soft comfort and firm support. The product comes with a complementary waterproof cover, which is removable and easy to wash. It’s a perfect fit for most pack and plays. The Milliard Tri-Fold Pack N’ Play Mattress is excellent as a portable and travel option.
What I love about it:
- The product offers an exquisite balance of firm support and excellent comfort;
- It includes a complementary cover;
- It’s made at the strictest CertiPUR-US standards for durability, emissions, and content;
- The product is a perfect fit measuring 38 inches (length) x 26 inches (width). It’s 2.5 inches thick.
Something to keep in mind:
- The mattress isn’t suitable for all pack and play designs.
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The Hiccapop Tri-Fold travel pack n play mattress pad is perfect anywhere and anytime. It’s a dual sided product made for you baby’s comfort and safety. The mattress features a strong and firm side and a soft and cushy side made at CertiPUR-US standards. The product is versatile and portable and turns the pack and play into a crib. For more comfort, the mattress is 2.5 inches thick. It’s made of top-quality, stain resistant, non toxic and waterproof materials. Also, it’s a perfect fit for most pack and plays.
What I love about it:
- The product is portable and made for travel;
- It’s versatile and lightweight;
- It’s made at the highest and strictest standards of quality and performance;
- It’s non toxic, stain resistant, and waterproof.
Something to keep in mind:
- The product may not fit some pack and plays.
The NapYou Pack n Play Mattress is safe, comfortable, and portable. It’s made of polyester or you’ll find an organic pack n play mattress, which is made of organic cotton. The blend of materials delivers a durable and extremely soft to the touch mattress, which is comfortable to your little one. The mattress is lightweight, easy to carry, and foldable. It offers a comfortable and safe sleeping and play area for your baby.
The product comes with an easy to carry handle bag. It’s made for use with or without your baby’s pack and play. Before use, allow up to 48 hours for the product’s foam to expand.
The Dream on Me 3” Pocket Coil Pack n Play mattress is a must-have for your baby’s top-quality sleep and safe play. The product features waterproof lock-stitch high-performance binding, which is also antibacterial. The product measures 25.5 inches x 37.5 inches x 3 inches. It’s GreenGuard certified for low emissions and protects your baby from exposure to dangerous chemicals.
It’s a dreamy sleeping space for your baby. Also, the product ensures a comfortable environment for your baby to play in. You can easily wash.
What I love about it:
- The product is made of premium materials for increased durability;
- It’s GreenGuard certified;
- It’s waterproof and easy to clean;
- It offers increased levels of comfort and safety.
Something to keep in mind:
- The product isn’t suitable for use with all pack and plays.
Consider the Style
If you’ve already bought a pack n play, you’ll need to buy a mattress, which fits the model you have. It must also suit the style of your pack n play. Some pack n plays include a detachable bassinet on the top, while others are simply open structures. Ensure you choose the right mattress for the style and model of the pack n play you already have at home.
What Size Mattress to Get
Such as the style of your mattress, you must also ensure that it fits tightly into the pack n play. Most pack n plays have the same dimensions (37 inches x 27 inches). But even a small difference of half an inch can cause trouble. It’s a good idea to test the mattress before you buy it. Or check the manual of the pack and play for its sizes.
What to Consider when Purchasing a Pack and Play Mattress
When you’re shopping for the best pack n play mattress for your little one, you must consider a few factors such as firmness, the material, state, portability, safety, and protection. Think about where you’ll be using the mattress and how think you want it to be. A thinner mattress is better for napping, while a thicker mattress is better for traveling.
You may want a folding pack n play mattress, which is also lightweight mattress if you travel often. Do you want a foam or traditional innersprung mattress? An organic pack n play mattress also includes organic covers, which are perfect if your baby has allergies. Others feature hypoallergenic, antibacterial and they’re waterproof. Let’s check out the main features of mattresses.
Firmness
Although it sound cozy and comfortable, a soft mattress isn’t a good choice for your baby to sleep on. Soft mattresses are deemed dangerous as they expose your baby to SIDS risk. Test the mattresses firmness using your finger on the surface. Press your finger down on the mattress’s surface. If you notice it indents easily, then it’s too soft for your bundle of joy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that mattresses should be firm and maintain their initial shape even when you cover them with a pack and play mattress sheet made for the specific models. Toddlers are safe to use mattresses, which are a bit softer. You can also choose a mattress with a soft side and a firm side.
Material – Foam v Innersprung Mattress
Account for the interior and exterior material of the mattress. Depending on the comfort level you’re looking for, consider that often added chemicals are used to make the mattress flame retardant. You’ll find mattresses made of foam and others comprising innerspings.
Innerspring mattresses aren’t always the best choice for a pack n play as they can tear apart. But a high-quality mattress is better than a cheaper and more affordable foam mattress. Your best approach is to buy a high-end and perfectly designed foam mattress for the pack n play. These mattresses are safe, comfortable, hypoallergenic, waterproof, and lightweight.
Should I choose a second hand mattress?
A pack n play mattress is usually affordable. A decent mattress, which fits the main safety and comfort criteria can range between $50 and $60. If you’re on a budget, you’ll find mattresses at a low $20. So, don’t buy a second hand mattress as you can’t be sure of its real state, what it’s been through. It could very well be harboring fungi growth or include bacteria.
Portability
Pack n plays are made to be packed up and carried when you want to travel. The mattresses are usually single piece models, which are lightweight and quite big. They’re easy to travel with in a car as they’re flat and don’t take up a lot of room. The only problem is keeping them clean while travelling. So, don’t throw out the plastic wrapping they come in as it’ll protect the mattress when you’re on the road.
It’s easier to choose a folding pack n play mattress. You’ll also find models, which roll up or fold together. Make sure the mattresses are lightweight and easy to travel with.
Safety
Make sure the mattress protects your baby from SIDS risk and exposure to any toxic or flammable chemicals. It should pass the Flammability Standards and safety standards for toxicity. Choose a mattress, which is free of lead or phthalate. Also, ensure it fits perfectly in the pack n play and doesn’t leave gaps on either side.
Should I get a Waterproof Mattress?
Many pack n plays mattresses include a waterproof vinyl coating. They’re excellent for protecting the mattress long-term and make the mattress easier to clean. But the waterproof sheet makes the mattress slightly uncomfortable. A waterproof mattress is a good choice, but it’s not necessary.
Do I need a Mattress Protector?
You’ll find mattresses comprising a protection waterproof vinyl cover and others just a material surface. A soft cotton protector is a great choice as it’ll keep the mattress clean and it’s more comfortable than the vinyl waterproof sheeting.
Choose a mattress protector, which is BPA-free and keeps your mattress dry, free from odors, and clean. It’s soft and comfy for your baby.
How to Use a Pack and Play Mattress
Pack n play mattresses are used in a pack and play when you’re travelling or to provide your baby with a safe and comfortable space when he or she is playing and falls asleep. The unit is convienient for travel and offers your baby exceptional comfort.
It’s a safe sleep space for your little one, which doesn’t take up much floor space. It’s portable and easy to set up or pack up. You can use it in the garden, on your deck, or when you’re visiting friends or relatives.
Pack ‘n Play Mattress FAQs:
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What are Pack ‘n Play mattresses?
A pack n play mattress is an extra cushion pad for your pack n play. It creates an additional layer of padding for your baby. It’s thinner than the standard crib mattress and designed to perfectly fit the pack n play.
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Do you need a mattress for a Pack ’n Play?
Pack n plays come with mats. But they’re not comfy for your baby. The base of the pack n play is rather stiff and uncomfortable. A mattress will improve your baby’s sleep and keep his or her safe and cozy when playing.
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Can a Pack ’n Play mattress be washed?
Some pack n play mattresses include a removable cover, which you can easily clean. Other mattresses are waterproof and you can easily wipe them down with water and soap. Also, you can buy a separate cover.
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Will a Pack ’n Play hold a regular crib mattress?
No, a pack n play is only suitable for use with special pack n play mattresses. Standard crib mattresses may leave gaps on either side.
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Is it safe to use a Pack ’n Play mattress?
Yes, it’s safe for you to use a pack n play mattress for your baby. They’re BPA-Free, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, offer increased ventilation, and keep your baby safe.
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What are the dimensions of a Pack ’n Play mattress?
Pack n play mattresses usually have the same dimensions with half of an inch difference. Most mattresses are between 34 and 27 inches wide and 38 inches long. Thickness ranges between a low one and ¼ inches up to three inches. And they only weigh 2 lbs.
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What kind of materials make up Pack ’n Play mattresses?
Pack n play mattresses are mostly made of latex foam, polyurethane, or springs. Every mattress either includes a vinyl or a cotton cover.
The Bottom Line
Pack n Plays come with a thin surface for your baby to sleep on. So, spending some extra money to buy the best pack n play mattress makes sense. It’ll help you ensure a top-quality sleep for your baby and a safe play space. Babies spend up to 17 hours a day sleeping. So, investing in a great mattress for your little one’s pack n play is money spent well.
To reduce the risk of SIDS and ensure your baby gets the best support during sleep, choose a world-class pack n play. Buy a firm, comfortable, lightweight and portable pack n play mattress, which gives you peace of mind that your baby is safe and comfy while sleeping or playing.
