How A Crib Mattress Should Fit
A mattress needs to fit snugly in the crib with no space between the side of the mattress and the crib frame.
How a crib mattress should fit. If yours is fabric be sure to use a waterproof cover. Crib mattresses should have a vinyl or polyethylene surface to make them waterproof and resist mold. But let s talk more specifically about each crib mattress size. All crib mattresses must not exceed 6 in height when measured.
At these dimensions the standard crib mattress will fit safely in a full size crib which can have an interior width of between 27 3 8 inches and 28 5 8 inches and an interior length of between 51 3 4 inches to 53 inches. Use the two finger check when you install your mattress into the crib. Crib mattresses should fit very snug or moderately snug in the crib. If there s a space the mattress is too small and could be a suffocation and entrapment hazard.
The standard measurement of a basic baby bed is 51 5 8 x 27 1 4. As a rule when the mattress is inside the crib you should not be able to fit more than two fingers between it and the crib frame. No more than two fingers of space should exist between the side of the mattress and the crib frame. According to a 19 year study published in the journal pediatrics us emergency rooms treat an average of nearly 10 000 zero to two year olds each year for crib playpens or bassinet injuries.
The size of both crib mattresses and cribs is standardized by the federal government but due to slight variations in each not every mattress will fit perfectly in every crib. All sealy baby crib mattresses are sized to fit the standard sized crib and follow astm regulations. The mattress should fit snuggly into the baby bed. The mattress should fit snugly against the frame.
It s essential that the crib mattress fits snugly. Minimum standard crib mattress dimensions are 27 1 4 wide x 51 5 8 long. A mattress that is too small for the crib could be a suffocation and entrapment hazard. Of those more than 80 involve cribs.
You shouldn t be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib. Standard crib mattresses are required to be a minimum of 27 25 inches 69 2 cm by 51 25 inches 129 5 cm. A full size crib mattress must be at least 27 1 4 inches wide 51 1 4 inches long and no more than six inches thick. Choose a mattress designed for the crib size.
The baby mattress should always fit snugly inside a standard sized crib. If you feel a space of more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame the mattress doesn t fit properly. As you might guess from the name the standard crib mattress is the typical mattress size for baby cribs.