What Is The Best Mattress Protector For Toddlers?
Babies are cute and lovable – but they’re also very high maintenance. One of the first daunting tasks you’ll be faced with after you’ve been blessed with one will be to give them a comfortable, secure sleeping place. Cribs are the most obvious choice, but a crib mattress and a sheet alone won’t do the trick:
You’ll need something to protect the bed from the literal crap-storm that is coming its way – a toddler has no control over its bowels or bladder, so the mattress will be under constant threat from getting soaked in urine or worse!
Besides ruining the mattress, such an incident, if not contained in a timely manner, can also lead to bacterial / fungal growth that can adversely affect your toddler’s health. The easiest solution to contain fluid spills, deter bacterial growth, and keep out allergens, is a mattress protector.
Here’s my guide to choosing the best mattress protector for toddlers – it’ll educate you on the specific factors you need to consider when looking for a cover for your baby, and will be especially helpful for first time parents.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Best mattress protector for toddlers
- Comparisons
- Why Should You Get A Baby Mattress Protector?
- What To Look For In The Best Crib Mattress Protector?
- Comfort
- Waterproofing
- Absorbency
- Breathability
- Surface Materials
- Chemical Safety
- Easy To Launder
- Sizing
- If Possible, Always Get Two Top Rated Crib Mattress Protector
- Reviews
- Conclusion
Best Crib Mattress Protector Comparisons
Brand |
Details |
Extra Features |
Our Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Crib Mattress Protector |
|
Easy fit / removal |
|
Margaux & May Ultra Soft Waterproof Crib Mattress Protector |
|
Easy fit / removal; Uses eco friendly polyurethane; temperature regulating; anti-bacterial; hypoallergenic |
|
SureGuard Crib Size Mattress Protector |
|
Easy fit / removal; GREENGUARD Gold Certified; does not contain harmful plastic chemicals |
|
American Baby Company Waterproof Quilted Mattress Cover |
|
Easy fit / removal; Quilted cushioned surfaced |
|
Swaddlez Pure Guard Bamboo Crib Mattress Protector |
|
Easy fit / removal; Phthalate, lead, BPA free; temperature regulating; anti-bacterial; hypoallergenic; washer / dryer friendly |
Why Should You Get A Baby Mattress Protector?
- To Keep The Mattress Clean And Safe
- To Ensure Your Baby’s Good Health
- To Keep Out Allergens
Baby mattresses may not be that expensive, but nobody wants to buy one twice. If you don’t have a waterproof cover in place to contain fluid spills (urine, poop, regurgitated milk) to the surface, you will likely be faced with this situation.
Once the mattress absorbs any of the stuff mentioned above, a bad odor will be the least of your concerns: the resulting fungal growth may lead to health issues for your baby e.g. allergies and skin rash.
Allergens such as dust mites are attracted to dead skin (that is shed by every living human, including babies). A cover that blocks them out will prevent your mattress from becoming a breeding ground for these insects – preventing serious allergy issues.
What To Look For In The Best Crib Mattress Protector?
Comfort
While this is true for every bedding product out there – you need to pay special attention to comfort where a toddler is concerned. A baby’s body is developing rapidly – especially when they’re sleeping, so you need to make sure that their sleep is as comfortable as possible.
A mattress cover usually has an impact on the feel of the bed (no matter how minor it is) – so you must get one that has a positive (or, at the very least, neutral) impact i.e. the surface becomes soft or stays like before. A plastic-feeling surface will be uncomfortable for your baby, which could compromise sleep quality; this in turn may affect the baby’s growth rate.
Waterproofing
Strong waterproofing is a must where toddlers are concerned, for reasons that should be obvious by now. A leak needs to be prevented at all costs, and that is only possible with a tight micron size (this denotes the size of the microscopic holes in the waterproof membrane).
While the ideal size would be 1 micron or less, you may need to make a compromise for the sake of breathability in hotter climates, and go with about 5 microns. This will restrict the fluid on the surface long enough for you to clean it up.
Absorbency
This feature determines whether the protector will cause the fluid to pool up on its surface, or absorb it in its top fabric to take it away from the sleeper. The latter outcome is favored, since a baby is sensitive to cold and accumulated fluid in contact with your body will definitely cause cooling.
So to make sure the baby doesn’t suffer from a cold (or even pneumonia in colder climes) just because you were too late to clean up the fluid, you need to get a protector made out of an absorbent material. Absorbency is also essential in warmer areas – to transport sweat away from the baby’s body so that the sweat glands don’t get blocked and cause a rash.
Breathability
Breathability (or how well the protector let’s airflow through it) is, as mentioned above, also related to the micron size – a looser micron size will ensure good breathability.
This feature becomes important in warmer climates where the plastic waterproof membrane in a protector can lead to excessive sweating. Absorbency may be good to take the sweat away, but breathability, by ensuring adequate cooling, will prevent the sweating from occurring in the first place.
It is therefore a proactive solution, not just to prevent skin problems, but also to ensure that the baby doesn’t wake up (and wake you up!) in the middle of the night because the bed become too hot for it to sleep in.
Surface Materials
Organic materials are favored for crib covers because of their natural comfort, breathability and health safety. The best organic crib mattress protectors will be made out of the following fabrics:
- Cotton
- Bamboo
- Tencel
Natural cotton is known for its softness, breathability and absorbency. Manufacturer’s tend to use terry cotton or brushed cotton in covers that are meant to provide greater comfort and cooling than cheap plastic. The absorbent nature of cotton makes it necessary for there to be strong waterproofing underneath it though.
Rayon derived from bamboo trees is silky, breathable and inherently hypoallergenic. It is used in products intended to give a luxurious surface feel to consumers on a budget. Bamboo-derived rayon isn’t the toughest material out there though, so make sure you follow proper care instructions when laundering a protector made from it.
Tencel is derived from eucalyptus trees, and is known for its fur-like softness, breathability, absorbency, and natural antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. I am yet to find a baby mattress sized protector that uses this material, but if you do, I would highly recommend getting it if you can afford it (it is a bit expensive because of its high-end properties).
Keep in mind that many manufacturers will blend these natural surface materials with a bit of polyester to improve durability (and more sensibly) to cut costs. This is tolerable so long as the blend isn’t dominated by the polyester, since that would drastically reduce the benefits of the materials discussed above.
Chemical Safety
Children are prone to serious health issues if they are exposed to harmful chemicals present in certain plastics e.g. PVC, vinyl, and phthalates. Exposure to dioxins released during their manufacture and decomposition can lead to learning and developmental delays, and immune system abnormalities, among other nasty conditions.
Fortunately, most reputed manufacturers now carry health safety ratings from third party organizations, such as OEKO-Tex Standard 100, GREENGUARD and CertiPUR-US. These certifications mean that the product has been tested and found not to contain harmful chemicals.
For added surety, you could opt for a product whose surface material is made from a 100% natural fabric. This ensures that your baby’s skin will not come in direct contact with any plastic (safe or otherwise). One further telltale sign of at least some threshold of health safety is when the product clearly states that it has been manufactured in the United States.
Easy To Launder
As I’ve stated above, babies don’t have a grip on their excretory functions – they’ll defecate / urinate impulsively. The protector is supposed to bear the brunt of it and keep your mattress safe.
However, in turn, the protector will have to be cleaned every time such an incident happens. This means that you’ll be taking it off and putting it on quite often, so your best choice would be a fitted-sheet style product with elastic sides.
Next, the laundering itself: many protectors are sensitive to laundering / drying on high heat because their plastic waterproof membrane melts / deforms at these settings. But since you’ll be dealing with a urine soaked cover quite frequently, you may want to invest in a protector that can be washed / dried on at least a medium heat setting.
The best way to make certain that a protector can survive constant laundering is to scour consumer reviews – from personal experience, if a product does not last after a few washes, you will be able to find dozens of complaints from users online.
Sizing
There is quite a large variety of mattress protectors available in the market today – but most of them do not come in crib size. Before you look for anything else, make sure the candidate protector is available in the size of your child’s bed.
If Possible, Always Get Two
It may already have occurred to you, but for the benefit of every parent out there, it is a smart move to get at least two mattress protectors of the same brand. This way, when one gets dirty, you can take it off and put it in the laundry, and put the other one in its place so that the crib’s protection isn’t interrupted.
For this reason, some manufacturers sell their crib products in discounted packs of two.?
Top Rated Crib Mattress Protector Reviews
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Crib Mattress Protector
Key Points
-
- Material: Cotton top; plastic membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Extra Features: Easy fit / removal
- Warranty: 30 day money back guarantee
The manufacturer does not specify it, but the top is made from cotton (or a high-cotton / polyester blend) that yields a smooth, adequately soft surface without becoming overly plush. The fabric is absorbent enough – being able to contain all but the most excessive of fluid accidents.
The waterproofing is sufficiently reliable, with the majority of people stating that it can keep nighttime accidents from reaching the mattress quite effectively. However, there have been some reports of defective units, and broken waterproofing after a few washes.
This isn’t very surprising for this cheap a cover, but you may want to take things with a pinch of salt and test out the protector’s capabilities with a little bit of water before you put it on your baby’s bed. Further, avoid using excessive heat while washing the product.
There’s a silver lining in the fact that protector fits perfectly on standard crib sized mattresses, and it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with its performance.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Adequately reliable waterproofing performance.
- Breathable, absorbent and comfortable cotton surface.
- Easy fit / remove on standard crib size mattress.
- 30 day money back guarantee.
Cons
-
- Requires careful laundering.
- Some complaints of defective units.
Recommended For
This ultra-cheap crib protector is geared towards budget bound parents who want a low-risk, low-investment solution to secure their baby’s mattress against common threats.
Margaux & May Ultra Soft Waterproof Crib Mattress Protector
Key Points
-
- Material:Bamboo-derived rayon terry top; plastic membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Extra Features: Easy fit / removal; Uses eco friendly polyurethane; temperature regulating; anti-bacterial; hypoallergenic
- Warranty: Lifetime money back guarantee
Sporting a bamboo-derived terry cloth top, the cover is discreetly comfortable, breathable and moisture wicking. The bamboo fabric gives it inherent anti-microbial and hypoallergenic capabilities as well. It also conceals the plastic feel / crinkly noise of the underlying waterproof backing (which is made out of eco friendly PU).
Thanks to a 9” deep skirt size, the cover is able to fit the vast majority of crib mattresses, and the elasticized sides mean that putting it on and taking it off the mattress isn’t a chore either. Users have praised the product for its durability, comfort, and ease of fitting / removal.
There have been complaints of waterproofing failures after laundering at too high a heat setting – but these have occurred after several months, and in any case, the manufacturer warns against this expressly in the product description.
Impressive for such a cheap price tag, Margaux & May offer a lifetime money back guarantee – which means they are willing to place a massive bet on the performance of their product. It should also be noted that most competitors only offer a month long money back guarantee at most.
Pros
- Inexpensive.
- Bamboo terry cloth surface is comfortable, breathable and absorbent.
- Bamboo fiber naturally repels allergens and bacteria.
- Can be put on and removed easily for quick maintenance.
- Lifetime money back guarantee.
Cons
- Requires careful laundering.
Recommended For
If you’re looking for an ultra-soft, naturally anti-bacterial cover to secure your toddler’s mattress, you may consider this product from Margaux & May.
SureGuard Crib Size Mattress Protector
Key Points
-
- Material: Cotton terry top; plastic membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Extra Features: Easy fit / removal; GREENGUARD Gold Certified; does not contain harmful plastic chemicals
- Warranty: 10 year warranty; 30 day money back guarantee
A pure cotton terry top results in a comfortable and breathable sleep surface for toddlers. Underneath, a thin film of polyurethane (free from PVC, vinyl and phthalates) with 1 micron pores ensures stringent security against spills, making it perhaps the best waterproof mattress protector for potty training.
Despite the tight micron size, the breathability of the product is impressive to the point that many people use its larger sized versions for their memory foam mattresses (which have inherent heat retention problems)!
It is worth noting that a GREENGUARD Gold certification accompanies the cover, which validates the manufacturer’s claim of it not containing any hazardous materials. As per the manufacturer, if you follow the proper laundering instructions, the protector will keep functioning reliably wash after wash, and based on feedback from consumers, I will have to say that this claim does hold up.
There have been some limited complaints of manufacturing defects – but a 30 day money back guarantee as well as a 10 year warranty mean that you can easily get a replacement in such an eventuality.
Pros
-
- Comfortable, breathable cotton terry surface.
- Tight micron size for strong waterproofing and allergen proofing.
- GREENGUARD Gold certification for chemical safety.
- Reliable long-term performance.
- 30 day money back guarantee / 10 year warranty.
Cons
-
- Slightly expensive.
- Limited complaints of manufacturing defects.
Recommended For
Those in need of a thoroughly reliable protector that can maintain its performance after frequent laundering may find this product up their alley.
American Baby Company Waterproof Quilted Mattress Cover
Key Points
-
- Material: Organic cotton top; breathable polyester middle; knitted polyester laminated TPU membrane bottom
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Extra Features: Easy fit / removal; Quilted cushioned surfaced
- Warranty: 30 day money back guarantee
The top is made from organic cotton, fluffed by an inch or so of breathable polyester: this creates the padding effect to make for a plusher sleeping experience for the child. The waterproofing consists of knitted polyester backed with a thin TPU film.
Thanks to the padding effect of the cotton and polyester, the crinkling that is normally created by a polyurethane membrane is eliminated. The cover can readily fit standard crib mattresses up to 6” deep, and may just as quickly be removed for clean up after an incident.
However, it should be washed cold if you want it to last – although some users have reported that the cover handles laundry abuse quite well. Praise has also been directed at the core waterproofing and padded comfort.
This being a Chinese product, there have been some complaints regarded broken waterproofing from the get go, but there’s a 30 day money back guarantee included that should protect your investment.
Pros
- Organic top with polyester filling provides soft, breathable and padded comfort.
- Generally reliable, long lasting performance.
- Can withstand some laundry abuse.
- 30 day money back guarantee.
Cons
-
- Slightly expensive.
- Minor likelihood of waterproofing failure.
Recommended For
This cover is directed towards parents who want a pad-protector combo for their toddler (not infant) which protects the bed and increases its comfort in a single package.
Swaddlez Pure Guard Bamboo Crib Mattress Protector
Key Points
-
- Material: Bamboo rayon top; plastic membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Extra Features: Easy fit / removal; Phthalate, lead, BPA free; temperature regulating; anti-bacterial; hypoallergenic; washer / dryer friendly
- Warranty: 30 day money back guarantee
The cover derives most of its qualities through the bamboo rayon it uses for its surface layer – it is soft to the touch; good at rapidly absorbing any spills; inherently antimicrobial and hypoallergenic; and adequately breathable to maintain a comfortable temperature all year round.
A 9” skirt ensures that the product fits normal sized crib mattresses. Underneath the bamboo layer is a completely waterproof TPU membrane responsible for keeping fluids and allergens from reaching the mattress. Even though the membrane is plastic, it is free from phthalates, lead and BPA.
It is worth pointing out that this protector’s membrane has been made washer / dryer friendly, so it can perform day in and day out even with regular laundering. This has been confirmed by multiple users.
The protector has accrued vastly positive feedback from consumers in every department, with only a few quality assurance concerns sprouting up in between – but these can easily be remedied through the included 30 day money back guarantee.
Pros
-
- Reasonable price.
- Comfortable, breathable, temperature regulating bamboo surface.
- Bamboo also lends hypoallergenic and antibacterial qualities.
- Strong waterproofing that is free from harmful chemicals.
- Can handle frequent, intensive laundering.
Cons
-
- Very few complaints pertaining to QA.
Recommended For
The Swaddlez Pure Guard mattress protector is a reasonably priced, thermally regulating, inherently absorbent, and highly soft solution that covers almost every base, and is thus ideal for parents in need of an all-round solution for their baby’s crib.
Conclusion
Having finished my guide, you should appreciate by now that choosing the best mattress protector for kids isn’t nearly as simple as choosing one for an adult bed – the reason being that children (and babies in particular) are more sensitive to discomfort and heat, and may not be able to tolerate an uncomfortable / dysfunctional protector as well as a grown up can.
This affects their sleep quality, which in turn can have a bad impact on their general wellbeing, and mental/physical development. So you need to take into account factors like comfort, waterproofing, absorbency, breathability, environmental safety, before making a decision.
The surface material as well as the plastic membrane play a role in these. And this isn’t all – for your convenience, you would also need to look for a product that is easily installable and removable, and can last through several washes.
With these things in mind, my pick for the top spot would have to be the Swaddlez Pure Guard Bamboo Crib Mattress Protector. Its bamboo surface covers all of the considerations mentioned above, and even throws antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties into the mix.
Further, its plastic membrane doesn’t use harmful chemicals and is built to sustain frequent laundry cycles. It achieves these qualities at a remarkably low cost, has gathered widespread applause for its performance from consumers, and comes with a 30 day money back guarantee – a winning package by any means.
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