Safety

• Look for a mattress that is certified safe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The high standards of this organization will help take the guesswork out of finding a safe mattress. Check the CPSC's website (www.cpsc.gov) for toddler mattress recalls. Also verify for yourself that the mattress fits well with the crib you use to prevent body parts from getting trapped between the crib and mattress. Consumer Reports states that the mattress is too small if you can fit more than 2 fingers between the mattress and the crib.
  
  

Types

• Two types of mattresses are available: foam and innerspring. Foam mattresses are made of polyester or polyether, weigh less than innerspring mattresses and tend to cost less. Innerspring mattresses contain coils, with the number of coils directly related to the mattress' firmness. Some parents prefer foam mattresses since they are lighter, making them easier to lift when changing sheets. Either mattress type is fine for your toddler. If you opt for an innerspring mattress, Baby Center recommends at least 150 coils. If a foam mattress is your preference, go with the densest and heaviest you can find.
  
  

Firmess

• The firmer the mattress, the better for your toddler. Baby Center notes that soft bedding has been linked to many cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Neither the edges nor the center of the mattress should give when you press on them.
  
  

Features

• Choose a mattress with a vinyl cover for better water resistance and better venting to keep the mattress odor free. The insulator pad, which prevents coils from poking your toddler through the mattress, should be made of coir fiber or fiber wrap pad. Consumer Reports also recommends foam or cotton cushioning layers over polyester, which cost less but forms pockets over time. In innerspring mattresses, border rods are essential to prevent sagging along the edges and to provide overall mattress durability over time.
  
  

Warranty

• According to Consumer Reports, a longer warranty does not equal a better product. Warranties are often a marketing tool, so base your mattress decision on the mattress itself rather than its warranty.