There are many mattress manufacturers in the United States and around the world.  We will research many of these manufacturers and provide you with some of the information we have listed below.  Each mattress manufacturer has a story, and We Know Mattresses will provide you with a thumbnail sketch of what their history is and what the manufacturers bring to the table currently.

Such things we will touch upon include:

Background and History-

Types of mattress they manufacture-

Technological advances brought to the table-

Mattress lines and products-

Popular Mattress Brands

FEATURED MATTRESS MANUFACTURERS:

Sealy Mattresses: You can visit the Sealy Mattress Site Here.

Serta Mattresses: You can visit the Serta Mattress Site Here.

Simmons Mattresses: You can visit the Simmons Mattress Site Here.

Tempur-Pedic Mattresses: You can visit the Tempur-Pedic Mattress Site Here.

Comfort Solution(King Koil) Mattresses: You can visit the Comfort Solutions (King Koil) Site Here.

Spring Air Mattresses:

Select Comfort-Sleep Number Beds:

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The mattress industry has a language unto itself, here is a glossary of many of those terms.  Use it to help in understanding the mattress articles and posts that we offer-

Adjustable Bed– A Bed that can move into different sleep positions, either as one unit or both sides separately.  Example positions would be sitting upright or with feet raised.

Air Beds– Air is used to support the sleeper.  Air is pumped into the mattress bladders (chambers) to create different levels of firmness.

Allergens– Substances that cause allergic reactions in some people.

Alignment– Proper position and Balance of the spine, a mattress that properly supports and aligns the spine can help alleviate back pain.

Anti-microbial– Identifies foams and fibers that have been treated to prevent accumulation of dust mites, mold, bacteria and other allergens.

Baffle– Chamber used to obstruct the movement of a substance (water, air)

Bed Frame– Frame that holds and maintains the position of the mattresses (bed), can include head and footboards, and bed rails.

Bed Support– the rails and frame that that help prevent the set from warping, twisting, and sagging.

Body Alignment– the relational positioning and balance of the spine, muscles and joints.

Body Impression– Indentation in a mattress created when the mattress compresses over time.  When you notice the compressions, it’s time for a new mattress.

Bonnell Coil– an innerspring mattress system where the coils are shaped like an hour glass- the ‘original coil’ system.

Border– The side or perimeter of the mattress.

Border Wires (Border Rods)– Heavy gauge wires that keep the mattress shape and increase durability.

Box Spring– Bottom mattress with a sturdy wooded frame, covered with cloth and made with wire springs.  Generally placed on a wooden or metal bed frame.

California King– A mattress measuring 72 inches by 84 inches.

Coil– A spring in a mattress that provides resistance to support the sleepers body.

Coil Configuration– the arrangement of coils in a mattress.

Coil Count– The total number of coils in an innerspring mattress.  Generally a higher number of coils means better support, comfort, quality, and price.

Coil on Coil– Mattress construction that features an innerspring unit with a second similar or smaller unit placed on top.

Coir– a pulp derived from coconut fibers

Comfort Layers– The quilting and upholstery layers that determine mattress comfort.  The thickness, types of foam and fibers, and the order in which they are combined will impact the feel or comfort.

Continuous Coil– An innerspring mattress coil system where the coils running from head to toe are made by 1 continuous wire.

Convoluted Foam– Also known as egg crate foam, the foam you see used often for sound proofing a room.  It has a density often of 1.5 lb/cft and provides increased air circulation and support when used in a mattress.

Core– Support system inside a mattress: innerspring, encased coil or foam.

Cornell Testing- The Cornell Testing Machine forces a buttocks-shaped platen onto the mattress, at any desired amount of force, to determine firmness and surface deformation.

Corner Guard– a plastic barrier to protect the corners of the box spring or foundation.

Damask– Mattress cover that features a design woven into a thick fabric.  Belgian and Jacquard are two types of premium high quality Damask fabrics.

Density– Measures mass per unit volume.  Commonly measured and expressed in pounds per cubic foot (pcf).  Density is an important property of foam and affects durability and support.  A higher density, better quality foam retains its original properties better and provides original support and comfort longer.

Encased Coils– Coils individually wrapped in cloth to provide individualized conformance and reduce motion disturbance.  Hundreds of encased coils are joined to create an innerspring.

Firmness– describes how much resistance a mattress provides and how it then ‘feels’.

Foam– Common mattress component used for comfort, durability and sometimes the support layer.  There are a variety of foam technologies that can be used.

Foam Encasing– Additional foam support around the mattress edge providing a firm sitting edge and expanded sleep surface.

Foundation– The bottom part of a mattress set (often the Box Spring), that supports, transfers and distributes the weight of the mattress.

FR Compliant– since 2007, all mattresses manufactured and/or imported into the US are required to pass strict flammability rules.

Full Size– Mattress measuring 54 inches by 75 inches.

Futon– A bendable, foldable mattress that will fit into an upright frame.  When the frame is upright, it can be used as a couch, when folded out, a bed.

Gauge– the measurement of a wires thickness.  The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire.  Standard mattress gauges generally range between 12.5 and 16.5.

Hi Density Foam– Foam with a measured density of > 1.8

Hi Resiliancy Foam (HR Foam)- Has a measured density of > 1.8

Hypoallergenic– Describes the feature of some foams, fibers or fabrics that reduce allergens.

Innerspring Mattress– Mattress with wire coils as the support system.

Independent Coils– An innerspring mattress system of coils,  where they all work independently of each other.

King Size– Mattress measuring 76 inches by 80 inches.

Latex Foam– A high quality foam derived naturally from the sap of rubber trees.  Latex foam is naturally antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites.  It provides a plush feel with excellent resiliency.

Loft– The thickness of a mattress top, a duvet, a quilt, or similar item that is filled with compressible material.  Air around strands of filling material create loft.

Low Profile Foundation– A shorter height box spring used to lower the overall height of a sleep set.

Memory Foam– Also known as visco elastic foam or visco memory foam, it is a high density foam that conforms closely to the shape of a sleepers body.  The foam was originally developed by NASA and responds to body heat and weight to reduce pressure points.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100– An international testing and certification system for textiles limiting the use of certain chemicals.  It has become the best known and most successful label for textiles tested for harmful substances.

Pillow Top– the semi-attached layer on top of a mattress that provides an additional feeling of softness but with a firm layer of support underneath.

Platform Bed– Typically a wooden frame with slats that go across from side to side.  You don’t need a box spring or foundation.  A latex or memory foam mattress can be placed directly on the slats.  Common in the futon industry.

Plush– describes a mattress with a soft feel.

Pressure Points– Points on the body that bear the most weight and pressure when lying down.  Common pressure points are the shoulders hips and knees.

Queen size– A mattress measuring 60 inches by 80 inches.

Quilting– Process used to sew a cover to the top of a mattress.

Recovery time– the amount of time it takes a piece of foam to return to its original shape.  A factor used in determining comfort.

Resiliency– the ability to return to the original shape.

Single Sided Mattress– A mattress constructed with only one sleep surface, eliminating the need to flip the mattress.

Sleep Set– General term used to describe the combination of foundation, mattress, headboard, footboard, and frame.

Spring Mattress– developed in the late 19^th Century, revolutionized mattresses, making them less lumpy.  Steel springs created a whole new feel and manufacturing process.

Support System– the basic supporting structure of the mattress.  Can consist of wire coils, foam, water or air.

Tick– a cloth case for a mattress or pillow

Ticking (Cover)– Fabric covering a mattress or foundation.

Tufting– Pre-compresses the foam layers and support layers to prevent body impressions, a sign of quality.Twin size– A mattress measuring 39 inches by 75 inches.

Upholstery Layers– The upholstery layer covers the mattress and provides the cushioning and comfort.  It consists of three parts: The insulator, middle upholstery and Quilt.

Waterbed– Modern version came about in the 1970’s.  Basically a mattress with a single or multiple chambers filled with water.

Working Turns– the amount of ‘turns’ a coil has in its structure.  What is a ‘turn’?  If you take a coil and run your finger along it from top to bottom, every time you go ½ a turn around the coil (180 degrees), that is a working turn.  A coil spring with more working turns than another will typically provide greater comfort and durability over time.

Zoning– Areas on a mattress that have been reinforced with additional support through unique foams or heavier innerspring coils.  Zoning is common through the center third of the mattress to support a sleepers hips and shoulders.

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WATERBEDS COME IN ESSENTIALLY TWO TYPES; HARD SIDED AND SOFT SIDED.

Hard sided waterbed and mattress

Hard sided waterbeds are a water containing mattress inside of a generally rectangular wooden frame that rests on a plywood ‘deck’ atop a platform.  Often this is what we think of as it was the most popular type back in the waterbed heyday.

A soft sided waveless waterbed mattress

A soft sided waterbed is a water filled mattress inside of a rectangular frame of sturdy foam, zippered inside a fabric casing, which sits atop a platform.  Soft sided waterbeds look like conventional beds and are designed to fit existing bedroom furniture.  The platform usually looks like a conventional bed frame or Box Spring and sits on a reinforced metal frame.

Many of the early waterbeds and inexpensive modern waterbeds are comprised of a single water chamber.  These single chamber mattresses can have significant wave action and take awhile to settle down after a disturbance.  Over time, the mattress manufacturers began using wave reducing methods like fiber batting (called ‘fiber filling’ or ‘baffling’) and interconnected water chambers.  More expensive ‘waveless’ modern waterbeds have a mixture of air and water chambers, usually interconnected.

Soft Sided Waterbed Construction Cut-Away View

Waterbed mattresses are generally constructed from soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or similar material.  They can be repaired with almost any vinyl repair kit.  The waterbed mattresses are normally heated and the heat is controlled by a thermostat the sleeper uses, this is especially prevalent in the single chamber beds, as they generally have less foam padding and insulation surrounding them.

WATERBED ADVANTAGES-

• The waterbed mattress shapes exactly to the sleepers body, minimizing pressure.  Waterbeds remove pressure from the spine allowing the spinal muscles to more fully relax, which can aid in the treatment of back pain.
• Waterbed mattresses are impervious to dirt and dead skin particles penetrating the vinyl, which can be easily cleaned with a cloth and vinyl cleaner.  The mattress covers can be washed, almost eliminating dust mites in the bed.  Mites can trigger asthma, eczemas and allergies.

WATERBED DISADVANTAGES-

• It can be costly to heat a waterbed, though the energy used can be less if you have a soft sided mattress.
• Hard sided waterbeds come in non-conventional sizes, so bedding can be difficult to find.
• Moving a waterbed is more difficult than moving a normal bed.  Water must be drained, the frame dis-assembled, moved, re-assembled, the water re-filled and reheated.
• Occasionally they will leak, and water damage can be expensive.  Many waterbeds have built in safety features to prevent or minimize leak damage but, it does still occasionally happen.
• Waterbeds are heavy- they can place strain on floorboards, and can exceed weight bearing capacity guidelines of some homes.  Condos and apartments may not allow them in units not on ground floors and may require the owner to get renters or condo insurance.

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Traditional-

The word ‘futon’ is descended from the Japanese word ‘shikibuton’(bottom mattress) and ‘kakebuton’ (thick quilted bedcover).  The traditional Japanese futons are quite different from what we think of here in America.  Japanese futons are much thinner, only about 2 to 3 inches deep and placed upon ‘tatami’ mats.  When not in use the futon is rolled up and put away in a closet.

American Futons-

American futons are descended from the Japanese futon idea, however they are not exactly the same.  American futons are similar in that they were thin, foldable and not terribly supportive mattresses.  However American futons, instead of being stored in a closet were convertible to typically either a couch or love seat.  In the 1970’s, William Brouwer, a furniture designer, who was familiar with the Japanese futon, became convinced that an adaptable bedding product could be useful in the Unites States.   He felt this was especially true in homes like his small Boston apartment and others like it across America.  His vision was to produce something more practical and easy to use than the conventional hide-a-way beds in use at the time.  Brouwer developed a “tri-fold” bed system, essentially a bed frame that was able to fold into a couch or chair.  His bed (the Brouwer bed) was well received, well crafted from fine wood, and even won a national design award.  In addition to the “tri fold” variety, there were other designers throughout the United States creating other “bi-fold” versions which lent themselves to more conventional looking couch designs.

Modern American Bi-Fold Futon Styling

Today’s futons have advanced in style and technology to rival some of the finer sofas and mattresses.  Huge strides in appearance and comfort have made them economical, easy to use, and very nice looking.   Futon frames are typically wood or metal and also have become quite stylish.  You can find futons to fit your needs from very affordable $200 to $300 models at Ikea and other futon ‘Warehouse’ specialists on up to large, very comfortable, king size futon bed systems for $1000 or more.   If you find the Futon comfortable, you will have a lot of options available to you and can also receive quite good value for your bedding dollar.

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Air mattresses are no longer just the ones you keep in the attic or closet and pull out during the holidays when family or guests visit.

Advances in technology over the last few decades have brought air mattresses and beds to the forefront of the industry.  In 1981, Comfortaire began manufacturing and marketing air mattresses that looked and performed like conventional mattresses (innerspring), but allow for adjustable firmness. Air mattresses are more durable than ever before and provide fully adjustable levels of support and comfort.  Air mattresses can now be considered as a legitimate alternative to innerspring coil mattresses; they now look and feel like a traditional mattress.

Modern Air Mattress Design-

Modern Air Mattress Design Cut-Away

Modern air mattresses have an inner core of support, but instead of metal coils, the support comes from air contained in specially designed chambers.  The core is molded out of vulcanized rubber, giving the mattress the strength and durability to support the sleepers weight.  The sleeper can adjust the support to fit their taste through the use of a remote control that adds or releases air via an electric pump.  The air mattress can be made as soft or as firm as the sleeper desires, depending on their mood or how their body feels from day to day.  Air mattresses even allow for different levels of support for each separate side of the bed.  Sleep number beds use the split core air mattress technology allowing for different levels of support to fit each sleepers preference.

A Variety of Choices-

Air mattresses come in a variety of models ranging from 7 inch high varieties at the more modest end of the scale to deluxe options that are 15 inches deep and contain several types of foam, pillow tops and digitally programmable pumps for individual pressure settings.

Air bladder construction ranges form a single simple polyethylene bag to complex internally baffled multi-chamber latex with bonded cotton exteriors that mirror what conventional high end mattresses look like.  The options available today match anything available for other types of mattresses available on the market.

For more background information on air mattress history and advancements check this out.

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Latex mattresses have been around for decades, but have recently experienced a increase in popularity.  Latex mattresses are considered Ec0-friendly, hypo-allergenic and many feel they offer superior support and sleeping experience.

Latex Construction:

Cut Away view of Latex Mattress Construction

Latex mattresses are typically molded out of the latex (Natural, Synthetic, or a combination of the two) and then several layers of latex with varying densities are used to create one mattress, usually the firmer layers are on the bottom and the softer layers on top next to the sleeper.

The most popular types of latex are:

Natural Latex- Made from Rubber tree sap

Synthetic Latex- Chemically produced with petroleum-based products

Blends and Fillers- A combination of natural and synthetic latex

Natural Latex:

Natural latex is a made from the sap of the rubber tree.  A natural latex mattress tends to be soft and have elasticity to it.  Natural latex is biodegradable and resistant to bacteria, mildew, mold, dust mites, bed bugs and other allergens.  Naturally made Latex products can vary in consistency and quality which makes it especially important for you to test the quality before you buy. An all-natural latex mattress can be expensive.

Synthetic Latex:

Synthetic latex is produced by a chemical process involving petroleum-based materials.  It has many of the same physical properties as natural latex.  A synthetic latex mattress often retains its resilience and durability longer than a natural latex mattress.  Synthetic latex mattresses tend to have a more consistent feel and quality level than natural latex, but the synthetic product can often feel stiffer than the natural product.

Blends and Fillers:

Blended latex mattresses are a combination of both natural and synthetic latex types to create a mattress that possesses the best qualities of both options.  This includes the elasticity of natural latex, and the durability of synthetic.  A blended latex mattress has a more consistent feel than one that is all natural.

Some blended latex mattresses have ‘fillers’, which are particles of clay or other materials that get mixed in to the latex.  This makes the latex less expensive, but adds stiffness and decreases durability.  A mattress that calls itself ‘Pure Latex’ does not contain fillers, and can refer to both Natural and Synthetic latex products.

Other points to consider:

Relative to Memory Foam, Latex offers similar support and durability.  A quality latex mattress can be expected to last 10 to 20 years.  Latex mattresses are less conforming to the sleeper than a Memory Foam mattress and have a quicker ‘recovery’ time, making them feel less ‘hot’ and it’s easier to change sleeping positions.  Latex mattresses distribute weight evenly and are incredibly good at relieving pressure points that can disrupt a good nights sleep.  More latex mattress properties can be found here.

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Memory Foam–

Memory Foam was developed by NASA during the 1960’s.  In the late 80’s/early 90’s, a Swedish firm, Fagerdala World Foams (that would go on to become Tempur-Pedic) was the first to think outside the box and recognize the commercial possibilities of Memory Foam as a mattress material.  Tempur-Pedic is still the best known in this category and leads the high end market, but many other brands have moved in providing other options to choose from, including a new movement into the ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ market.  Memory Foams are also being used for mattress toppers and pillows.

Memory Foam Characteristics:

Memory Foam has the unique ability to mold itself and support the sleepers body.  A durable polyurethane based foam is filled with millions of miniscule air pockets that decompress with the weight and heat of the sleepers body.  The sleeper sinks in to the mattress, creating a floating sensation.  Higher density foam provides more support while lower density foam allows you to ‘sink’ into the mattress more.  A thicker mattress allows the sleeper to sink further as well.

Memory Foam Molding Characteristics

Memory foam’s density is measured pounds per cubic foot, and a most memory foam has a density between 1 and 5 lbs/cf, with 5 being considered of higher quality.  Memory foam mattresses are generally comprised of several layers with varying densities to help support and distribute a sleepers weight.

Memory foam is an excellent choice for sleepers who like to feel snug and like the sensation of sinking in to their mattress.  It is also ideal for those sleepers who don’t move too much (toss and turn) and/or don’t want to be awakened by a partner who moves around.  You will receive a feeling like you are floating.  These mattresses are also hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for consumers with  or who are susceptible to allergies.  A well made memory foam mattress can be expected to last 10 to 20 years.

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Innerspring Mattresses– Innerspring mattresses are mattresses that are comprised of an inner core, coil or spring.  Almost all of us have slept on an innerspring mettress and they are the most popular type of mattress accounting for as much as 80% of the market.

Innerspring mattresses, developed in the 1860’s, brought a new level of comfort to sleepers, but were expensive for the time.  It wasn’t until after World War I that innerspring mattresses were mass-produced by Zalmon Simmons Jr.  Simmons debuted the Beautyrest mattress in 1926 for a cost of $39.50.  Though still expensive in comparison to other options, they proved to be so comfortable that millions of Americans began to purchase them.

The coils of the innerspring mattress provide the main support for the sleepers body.  Correct support is necessary for both a good nights sleep and a healthy spine.

Side view of Coil Innerspring Mattress support sytem

WHEN CHOOSING AN INNERSPRING MATTRESS, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ASPECTS TO CONSIDER:

Coil Properties:

• Gauge– The thickness of the steel.  A lower number indicates thicker steel.  14-gauge steel is typical for most luxury mattresses.  The range generally found in mattresses is from 12.5 (very firm) to 16.5 (springier)
• Coil Count– Standard coil counts range from 250 to 1000.  It is not uncommon for a mattress with a lower coil count to have a lower gauge (thicker) steel.  Minimum coil counts for different innerspring mattresses would be 300 for a Full (Double) mattress, 375 for a Queen Size Mattress and 450 for a King size Mattress
• Working Turns– Measures how tightly the coil is wound.  Coils with a great number of working turns will result in both a softer and more durable mattress.  When determining ‘working turns’, each ½ turn or ‘spin’ of the coil equals a ‘turn’.
• Tempered– Tempered coils are those that have been heated and cooled to ensure retention of proper shape.  Double heat tempered coils have gone through the process twice, giving increased durability.

Coil Design:

• Hourglass (Bonnell & Offset)–
  • Bonnell has an hourglass shape, it is also known as the original innerspring mattress coil design and is the most prevalent in the industry.  It is found typically in less expensive innerspring mattresses.
  • Offset also has an hourglass design, but circles at the top and bottom are flattened to create a hinging action within the mattress core.  Allows the mattress to better conform to the sleepers body and tends to make the coils less noisy.  Offset coils tend to be found in more expensive mattresses.
• Pocketed Coils– (aka Marshall coils) Individually wrapped in a fabric pocket.  The pockets may be connected, but the coils are separate and can move independently.  Pocketed coils provide greater separation of movement, if your partner is tossing and turning, you are less likely to feel it.  You may have seen the Simmons Beautyrest commercials where the bowling ball is dropped on one half of the bed but doesn’t knock over a bowling pin on the other side of the bed.  That is a pocketed coil mattress.
• Continuous Coils– These springs are made from a single continuous length of wire shaped into a series of loose S-shaped ringlets.  Continuous coil design allows for more coils per mattress, which makes it difficult to compare with Hourglass and Pocket Coil mattress systems.

As with all mattresses, you should check out any mattress you are considering buying in person.  A quality innerspring mattress should last 7 to 10 years.

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We Know Mattresses recognizes that you have a number of different mattress types to choose from.  Which mattress type will be the best for you, which mattress type will be the best value, what are the pros and cons of the different mattress types.  Essentially you need a run down on the different mattress choices available to you.  Here are the most popular mattress types you will find out on the market:

Innerspring Mattress Type:

Innerspring– The most common mattress type is the innersping mattress, comprised of an inner core, coil or spring.  The innerspring mattress accounts for up to 80% of the mattress market.  The first innerspring mattresses were developed around since the 1860’s, today there are three standard coil types: hourglass, pocketed, and continuous.  Coils properties include their gauge, whether they are ‘tempered’ and their ‘working turns’.  The comfort and support an innerspring mattress gives is related to their ‘coil count’.  For more in-depth information on the innerspring mattress, visit our Innerspring Mattress page.

Memory Foam Mattress Type:

Memory Foam– Another popular mattress type is made of memory foam.  The basic formula that would become memory foam was originally developed by NASA in the 1960’s.  NASA released the basic product to the general public in the 1980’s.  A swedish firm, Fagerdala World Foams, acquired the rights to the NASA product and continued to refine it for commercial use.  In 1991 the Swedish Tempur-Pedic mattress was introduced to the world.  Memory Foam molds itself to the sleepers body to provide support.  You will find more information about the memory foam mattresses on our memory foam mattress page. 

Latex Mattress Type:

Latex-Latex is a mattress type similar to the memory foam.  Latex has been around for decades but has been experiencing a resurgence.  Latex is derived naturally from the sap of the rubber tree, it can also be created synthetically.  Latex is a natural eco-friendly option for many consumers.  Similarly to memory foam, it is hypoallergenic.  Like other foam mattresses, latex can be used on adjustable beds, it is also popular for the medical industry.  Learn even more about latex mattresses on our Latex Mattress page. 

Waterbed Mattress Type:

Waterbeds– Big in the 70’s, waterbeds are still around.  Today waterbeds are available either with a single chamber for water or with multiple chamber environment that help provide a ‘waveless’ environment.  A waterbed mattress type can be either hard or soft sided and the technology available today makes modern waterbeds a far cry from their 1970’s predecessors.  Learn more here on our waterbed mattress page.

Air Mattress Type:

Air Mattresses– Air mattresses and beds are another area where technology has brought this mattress type to the forefront of the industry.  In the early 80’s Comfortaire began manufacturing air mattresses that performed like the traditional innerspring variety, but allowed for adjustable firmness.  Modern air mattresses have an inner core of special air chambers for support that can be adjusted by the sleeper.  The most well known air mattresses are the sleep Number Beds, manufactured by Select Comfort.  Go to our air mattress page to learn more.

Futons:

Futons– Futons saw an increase in popularity during the 1970’s also.  Futon have become a very popular alternative to traditional mattress types and beds.  The are based on but different than the traditional Japanese futon, and come in a large variety of styles and degrees of quality.  Today you will find futons ranging from the basic ‘college room’ design on up to models that rival and compete with the finest traditional beds and sofa’s.  Check out our Futons page for a greater in depth look.

Adjustable Mattress Type:

Adjustable Beds and Mattresses– Adjustable beds and mattresses have long been used in the medical field.  These mattress types have a multi hinged surface on which the mattress lays and are adjustable to provide a number of different reclining positions.  The most common positions entail raising the knees and torso and adjusting the height and tilt of the bed for ease of getting in and out.  Modern adjustable bed offer many options, learn more on our adjustable beds page.

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Custom mattresses– most manufacturers will make custom mattresses in sizes varying from 30 to 54 inches wide and 60 to 84 inches long.  There are also specialty vendors who will make custom mattresses to very specific size and use- for example boats, small cabins, and van conversions.  An example of such a manufacturer in our area would be Seattle Mattress.

Crib Mattresses:

Crib mattresses are, not unsurprisingly, the size of cribs, typically about 28 inches wide by 52 inches long.  It is always a good idea though to measure your crib size to make sure it is in fact the standard dimensions.  The mattress should be comfortably snug in the crib, there should not be an obvious gap between the mattress and the crib frame and you should not be able to easily get more than one finger between the two.

The mattress should be fairly firm.  babies need a somewhat solid sleep surface as they are unable to move themselves out of positions where their face sinks in to the mattress if they get turned over.

Foam crib mattresses are generally less expensive that coil mattresses and are generally just as safe as long as they are not too soft.  Foam mattresses are generally lighter, making it easier to move and clean them and their sheets.  For a coil mattress, check the number of coils, the more coils, generally the firmer the mattress will be.

Covers- Multi layer covers are best when it comes to durability.  Some crib mattresses also have an anti-microbial layer on top that will help cut down on germs from spit ups and diaper accidents.  Check how the mattress is sealed, do the deals appear sturdy, or weak and likely to split open?  If allergies run in the family, a fully sealed mattress may be the best option

If you’re concerned about quality, check to see if the crib mattress manufacturer is a member of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assocation or that the crib mattress carries a JPMA seal. Companies that are involved with JPMA have to meet certain professional and quality standards for their products to be in good standing with this industry organization.

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