When it comes to the safety of your child, there are some important factors and issues that should be investigated before you buy a crib mattress. Not only do you need a crib mattress that is safe, but you probably would like to get a quality mattress and a decent price. Something to consider is that your baby will spend a great deal of time in their crib, so it's important that there aren't loose articles in the crib that could potentially hurt them. Follow along and you will learn the safety precautions that you should be taking, as well as some practical buying tips.

One of the first steps to do is check the size of the mattress pad that will be needed. If you have a newer crib, this will require a full sized mattress pad. The measurements on this are 27 inches by 52 inches. If you have an older crib, it would be best to take some measurements to determine if you need a full sized mattress pad or something else. The reason this is so important is because if you don't have the right size mattress it could end up sliding around in the bottom of the crib, which could create some safety issues.

Again, it's very important to do measurements of the mattress. Not only do you need to take measurements, but you need to take a look at the thickness as well. For safety reasons, it's best to get a pad that does not exceed 6 inches. More height equals a greater chance that your child could find a way to climb out of the crib. By getting a mattress that isn't overly thick, you can prevent this from happening.

The government has worked to ensure that all crib mattresses have passed tests and regulations. One of the biggest ones is the flammability law that is passed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Another one to look out for is the American Society for Testing and Materials. They approve products, and it's nice to know which ones have been approved when you're doing research. This may seem a little bit overkill, but it's definitely better to be safe than sorry, as the saying goes.

There are usually two main ways that people go about buying a new mattress pad. You could go from one store to the next and look at all the mattress pads that meet your specifications. Or you could look up the pads online, or by using an online catalog. Having the ability to look up all that mattresses from the comfort of your own home could prove to be a time saving method.

Online shopping has many advantages, including the ability to look up the safety specifications of all mattresses. It can also end up saving you money too. If you purchase from the manufacturers website you don't have to pay a middleman. Sometimes this isn't an option and you are forced to buy through a reseller, but the time savings might still be worth it. Good luck buying a crib mattress!