The Best Crib Mattress Pads Available

Rank	Product	Highlights
#1	Gerber Water Resistant Protector Pads check price	Versatile enough to be used in multiple situations. Can be washed in the machine. Can be dried in a drier.
#2	Carter’s Keep Me Dry Mattress Protector Pad check price	Suitable for washing machine and dryer use. Quilted top makes it comfortable and breathable for the baby to lie directly on top of the pad. Fit perfectly in a Chicco Lullago bassinet. Serve perfectly as changing pads both at home and when traveling.
#3	American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Crib Mattress Pad check price	Extra soft materials Acts as a barrier to dust mites, bacteria, etc. Can be washed and dried in the machine.
#4	Waterproof Crib Flat Mattress Pad by QuickZip check price	Soft and comfortable, a delight for the baby to sleep on. Made with cotton fabric, providing a natural sleeping environment for the baby. Can be cleaned and dried in the machine.
#5	Royal Heritage Home Mattress Pad Protector check price	Pad comes with multiple layers that can absorb up to 10 cups of liquid. Product tested by a third-party lab to guarantee it’s non-toxic. Is available in three different sizes.

The waterproof feature of a crib mattress is generally one of its key selling points. Since cribs are designed for infants and toddler of up to four years of age, chances of the wetting the bed are pretty high. Even as a toddler, your child could be drinking a glass of milk and spilling some of it on his mattress. But a truly waterproof mattress can be rather expensive, so if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, why not turn to the best mattress pad for crib and toddler beds?

What’s the Deal with Mattress Pads?

A mattress pad is a protective sheet that lies between the fitted sheet of a mattress and the actual mattress itself. While it is very common for children use, there are adults that use these pads themselves or purchase them for their ill pets. The mattress pad features a protective layer that’s generally waterproof and, once installed inside a crib, can save you a lot of headaches with infants and toddlers peeing the bed. In order to get the best out a crib pad, one should have a least a set of two lying around the house, so when one of them needs washing, you can have a spare to immediately swipe it with.

Common Characteristics

It’s no secret that a baby mattress can be quite expensive, especially if you decide to opt for one that’s made from the best organic materials. This means that you will need a good product to protect your investment and avoid having to change the mattress less than a year of purchasing it. Mattress pads will do that just: protect your mattress investment. When a mattress is constantly wet and moist, there are increased chances of mold and mildew forming within its layers, and these are not elements you want having around your baby.

Long Lasting

But what are some other important feature of crib mattress pad, aside from the waterproof characteristic? First of all, the pad should allow you to clean it inside the washing machine. This will save you a lot of manual labor, as there will be periods that involve a lot of pad changing. Aside from that, the pad needs to be resistant enough for it to last hundreds of washing cycles and not start falling apart after the first few washes. Since these pads are rather inexpensive, you should purchase a spare or look for offers that include two pads at a very convenient price (you will see some good examples of such sets later on in this review).

Extra Comfort

Another advantage of these crib mattress pad is that they add an additional layer of comfort for your baby to sleep on. However, this is a two-way street. Babies should never sleep on a mattress that is too soft and if the mattress pad you opt for is super-plush, it may cause the baby to sink into the surface of the bed. After a few months, babies will start fussing and try to roll around in their cribs and a soft mattress could put them in danger, as they could suffocate.

Available in Organic Materials

It’s also important to look for crib mattress pads that are made from organic materials. Going organic seems to be the trend of the decade and with the pollution rate growth registered at a global level, it’s no wonder that parents are trying to keep their children as safe from chemicals as possible. Organic cotton pads are preferred, as they are made from cotton grown without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. However, pads made from organic cotton will cost more. If you want to make sure that the mattress pad you’re getting for your kid is organic, look for the GOTS Certification label.

Common Complaints

Since no product is ever pitch perfect, customers have their complaints regarding different brands of mattress pads. And of the most common complaints registered is that the waterproof pad isn’t actually waterproof. Truth be told, some parents are just unlucky enough to have their baby penetrate the stronger waterproof layers. This shouldn’t really discourage you from purchasing a pad (especially since they don’t cost that much). And while we’re talking waterproof, another complaint states that this layer of polyurethane is destroyed or shrunk after having been taken out of the drier. A solution to this problem would be to leave the pad to hang dry.

Best Crib Mattress Pads

#1. Gerber Water Resistant Protector Pads

SPECS

• Dimensions: 18 x 27 inches (each)
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Sold as a pack of 2 pads

What is the best crib mattress pad? Well, this is definitely one of them, for starters. Simple, elegant and gets the job done: that’s how we’d describe the Gerber mattress pads for your baby’s crib. Due to its compact size, it’s very easy to have a set at hand in your baby bag (yeah, the one you always carry with you for baby-related emergencies) and used them in a multitude of situations. Not only are they suitable for a crib, but they can also be used whenever you have to change the baby, feed him and more. The fleecy fabric is soft enough to comfort that baby’s skin. For cleaning, you can just throw them into the machine and let technology do the rest. However, there have been some customers report about the materials shrinking after a wash.

Pros

• Versatile enough to be used in multiple situations.
• Can be washed in the machine.
• Can be dried in a drier.

Cons

• Water resistant, not waterproof.
• Material can shrink after several washes.

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#2. Carter’s Keep Me Dry Mattress Protector Pad

SPECS

• Dimensions: 18 x 27 inches (each)
• Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Sold as a pack of 2 pads

Here’s yet another pack of two straightforward mattress pad for your baby’s crib. They are made from polyester and have a vinyl filling. Their surface is quilted, which means that your baby will feel comfortable in resting upon the pads, with no extra sheets added on top. Even so, it is ideal to place the pad under a fitted sheet, so that when the baby moves around the crib, the pad will stay in place. The lining is water resistant, which should keep the mattress underneath them safe in case of any wet accidents. They can be used on several different occasion, as they can fill in as a travel changing sheet, or they can be used at home. These pads allow for quick changing during the night, saving you precious time to sleep more. They can easily be removed and thrown in the washing machine, which means that you should always have an extra set of spares at hand.

Pros

• Suitable for washing machine and dryer use.
• Quilted top makes it comfortable and breathable for the baby to lie directly on top of the pad.
• Fit perfectly in a Chicco Lullago bassinet.
• Serve perfectly as changing pads both at home and when traveling.

Cons

• You will need 2 pads to cover up the entire surface of a standard crib.

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#3. American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Crib Mattress Pad

SPECS

• Dimensions: 28 inches x 52 inches x 9 inches
• Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Sold as: a single unit

Whether you have a baby or toddler, you want to make sure that you have an excellent mattress pad. The best crib mattress pad, in our opinion, is the American Baby Company crib mattress pad. It comes in a few sizes and you have the option of having a single or double pad.

The mattress pad exterior is made out of polyester, so when your baby/toddler goes to sleep, rest assured they will be sleeping on a nice and soft mattress pad. The interior has a waterproof component so your child’s bed will be dry when sleeping.  It is perfectly made to be fitted on the crib/toddler’s bed. It is 100% machine washable should there be any messes that need to be cleaned up.

Pros

• Soft
• Waterproof
• Machine Washable
• Fitted

Cons

• Some reports it’s not as waterproof as the company claims
• Quality issues with washing

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#4. Naturepedic Waterproof Flat Crib Pad

SPECS

• Dimensions: 28 x 52 inches
• Weight: 1 pound
• Sold as a single unit

We love that this crib mattress pad is made out of cotton, which makes it toxic-free and an absolute delight to have on your baby’s skin. The organic surface of the pad is breathable and waterproof but also acts as a barrier that capable of repelling unwanted germs, bacteria, allergens or dust mites. Both the top and bottom layer feature organic cotton material, which makes it safe to place the pad under the crib’s fitted sheet on whichever side you want. Between the two layers of cotton lies a waterproof layer which uses the “DrySleep” technology. This layer is made from polyurethane which is in pure form, not having any chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Aside from preventing staining of the mattress, the pad is also great at absorbing sweat, leading to a more comfortable sleep for your child.

Pros

• Features dual-sided cotton covers.
• Has a thin and natural waterproof layer in the center.
• Doesn’t include any chemicals.
• Acts as a barrier to dust mites, bacteria, etc.
• Can be washed and dried in the machine.

Cons

• Seams feel a bit sloppy.

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#5. Waterproof Crib Flat Mattress Pad by QuickZip

SPECS

• Dimensions: 27 x 50 inches
• Weight: 12 ounces
• Sold as a single unit

The QuickZip mattress pad is a tad improved compared to some of the basic models we’ve gathered in this review roundup. The cover is made from organic cotton, which makes it safer for your baby to sleep on. This is a feature we’d like to see even in the most basic crib mattress covers, as it’s important for the baby not to have his skin resting against materials that have been chemically treated. Beneath the cotton cover lies the waterproof layer, doing a good job in keeping the mattress dry if the pad is removed on time. It should stay snuggly in place almost under any other fitted sheet. It can be cleaned and dried in the machine, which makes it super easy to always have a clean spare pad lying around the house. However, you will have to purchase an additional pad to have a spare, as these are sold in single unit packages.

Pros

• Soft and comfortable, a delight for the baby to sleep on.
• Made with cotton fabric, providing a natural sleeping environment for the baby.
• Can be cleaned and dried in the machine.

Cons

• Some parents consider the product too plush for newborn use.
• Sold as a single unit, you will have to purchase one more pad to keep as a spare.

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#6. Royal Heritage Home Mattress Pad Protector

SPECS

• Dimensions: 34 x 36 inches
• Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Sold as a single unit

While this isn’t a mattress pad protector specifically designed for a crib, it comes in several different sizes and meets all the required criteria to deserve a spot in our roundup. You can opt for the 34 x 36-inch version, or one of the bigger models: 34 x 52 inches and 34 x 76 inches. Thanks to the Vintex Barrier System, these waterproof mattress pads are free of harmful additives and chemicals, such as phthalates, mercury or lead. The flannel cotton top is ideal for children, being very gentle on the skin, should you decide to skip adding a fitted sheet on top of the pad. We don’t recommend skipping this through, as a fitted sheet helps keep the pad in place. While babies don’t move around so much at night as to pile of the pad underneath them, toddlers do. The pad can absorb up to 10 cups of liquid and can be washed and dried in the machine about 300 times before a replacement is required.

Pros

• Pad comes with multiple layers that can absorb up to 10 cups of liquid.
• Product tested by a third-party lab to guarantee it’s non-toxic.
• Is available in three different sizes.

Cons

• The plush cotton top is not as pleasant as advertised.

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Conclusion

The best-rated crib mattress pad has to be waterproof and non-toxic while meeting your budget. While there are several other features that a parent looks for when purchasing a new pad for their baby, these two are almost mandatory. A pad that cannot absorb liquid basically defies the whole concept of purchasing a mattress pad in the first place. Another thing that makes a good pad is the use of natural or organic and toxin-free materials, such as cotton. You don’t want your baby breathing any type of harmful chemicals. Other features that make a good mattress pad are: the size has to be appropriate for the crib (some manufacturer only sell small pads, which means that it generally takes two to cover the entire surface of the mattress), the fact that they can be washed and dried inside a machine or the super lightweight that allows parents to travel with a pad at all times, for changing purposes.