When you’re looking for the best waterproof crib mattress pads, there are several things you are going to want to know. For many of us, it’s a matter of simply looking for something cheap and serviceable, while for others it’s more of a choice of durability and efficacy. Products aren’t always what they’re built up to be, which is why our waterproof crib mattress pad reviews are based on feedback from actual parents who own these pads.
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BENEFITS OF A WATERPROOF CRIB MATTRESS PAD
Unlike the limited benefits of choosing a crib mattress – you need it for your infant to sleep on! – a waterproof crib mattress pad offers several fantastic benefits. Though many think of them as perhaps an unnecessary purchase, they really can be a lifesaver.
Keep Your Mattress Clean
Baby mattresses can be quite the investment, especially if you’ve opted for a more expensive version, and you’ll want to keep it clean and free from mold and mildew (you may even want to add a baby themed humidifier for extra protection). Waterproof baby mattress pads do a bang-up job of protecting your investment from urine, vomit and other baby expulsions. For this simple investment, you can ensure a higher resale value of your crib mattress, or at least for it to be in good condition for your next child.
Inexpensive Enough To Buy A Backup
We all know that some sheets can take a little longer to dry than thinner bed linens, and crib mattress pads are certainly no exception with their multiple layers and added waterproofing. However, when most of the budget options – which are the biggest sellers – are priced in the $12 – $25 range, you can afford a clean spare to use while one is being washed.
Soft and Comfortable
Many crib mattress pads and toppers offer a thicker quilted material for your baby to rest against, protecting her from that crinkly plastic as well as offering a little breathability. Such materials often include cotton, polyester, wool or a variation of materials.
Safe For Your Baby
With so many options to choose from, you’ll be happy to know there is a solution for you. Depending on your budget, you can get whichever style of mattress protector that you feel is best for your infant. Organic cotton is the preferred natural product in comparison to the alternatives for its safer cultivation process. Cotton and Polyester, the typical components you’ll find in baby bedding fabrics, each have their own benefits as well.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WATERPROOF CRIB MATTRESS PAD
There are a few things you’ll want to consider if you are in the market for a waterproof crib pad. Perhaps the biggest decision you’ll face is whether you’ll spluge on an Organic mattress pad or stick with the budget – and still safe by general consensus – alternative options (cotton, polyester, wool, etc.). All of these have a history of providing their own benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll have to decide what’s most important to you.
Organic
One of the growing trends these days is that parents are looking for the safest possible options for their children. Going organic is one of the hot topics that people are interested in and they want organic everything – from foods to clothing.
Organic cotton is more or less the farming of fibers without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. This change in farming process means that you should expect to pay up to 3 and 4 times more for the final product. And if you want it made in the United States, you’ll pay for that as well.
… the farming of fibers without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
For those of you looking to buy organic, you’ll want to search for the GOTS Certification label to ensure the product has met their strict production guidelines along the entirety of the supply chain. See below for more on GOTS Certification.
Note: Any waterproofing component requires the use of a thermoplastic of some sort (polyurethane or polyethylene normally). So, if you need to go fully organic, your only option will be to use a pad made from wool – which, to be clear, is water “resistant,” not waterproof.
Non-Organic
For those of us that don’t feel the need to drop $60 – $100 on a crib mattress pad, the non-organic option will suffice. The best waterproof crib mattress pads on the market are all being made with cotton, polyester or a blend of both materials. They each have their advantages and disadvantages but are generally considered safe.
Many worry that polyester is made from thermoplastics and may emit a tiny amount of chemicals over time, or that cotton is layered with flame retardant chemicals as a safety measure, but the vast majority of baby products you’ll find in any store – from bottles, to toys and clothing – are manufactured with these 2 materials as they are cheaper and more durable. Of course, a movement to organic will gain more traction as manufacturing prices eventually come down in price and become more affordable to everyone.
For now, you’ll have to make your own determinations based on what’s available.
COMMON COMPLAINTS
Most of the time, you buy a product and receive and use it as advertised. But we all know that products aren’t always what they are marketed up to be and sometimes there’s just a bad apple in the bunch. Some of the most common issues with the crib mattress protectors reviewed below are as follows…
- Sometimes waterproof baby mattress pads aren’t always waterproof! No matter which mattress pad you get, you’ll inevitably run into someone whose baby has defied the odds of penetrating even the strongest of polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linings.
- Occasionally you’ll find that a parent has ripped the elastic skirt or have had the seems come apart upon trying to remove the pad from the crib mattress.
- The Vinyl or Polyurethane used for waterproofing may sometimes melt or shrink in the dryer. Tumble dry low or hang dry.
- After several washings, some pads are more likely to start balling and pilling, while others may lose their original form.
SAFETY INFORMATION FOR WATERPROOF CRIB MATTRESS PADS
When you see a product labeled GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard), that means that it contains a minimum of 70% organic fibers. GOTS is the standard for worldwide processing of organic fibers and any company must meet a high-level of compliance along the organic textile supply chain to receive certification from them.
The GREENGUARD Certification program helps product manufacturers create materials that emit low chemical emissions, which improve the quality of air in which products are used. Naturepedic is one of the companies that is GREENGUARD Certified with their organic crib pads.
BEST WATERPROOF CRIB MATTRESS PADS
(click links to read Amazon Reviews)
| Image | Model | Material | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | American Baby Co. Organic | Cotton/Polyester | $31 | 4.5/5 |
 | Carter's Keep Me Dry | Polyester/Vinyl | $13 | 4/5 |
 | Naturepedic Organic | Cotton/Food Grade PE | $70 | 4/5 |
 | Sealy 2-Pack | Cotton/Polyester | $26 | 3.5/5 |
 | Carter's Keep Me Dry 4-Ply | Cotton/Polyester | $17 | 3.5/5 |
 | American Baby Co. | Polyester/Vinyl | $13 | 3/5 |
1. American Baby Company Organic Mattress Pad
The American Baby Company is a California owned baby bedding company that offers a collection of nursery settings. Their organic offering is rated as the best waterproof crib mattress pad and has proven to be one of the more favorable pads amongst those who buy them. For a little more than the price of a standard crib pad, you can upgrade to a GOTS Certified Organic Cotton pad for your baby to rest against. This fitted pad includes a soft 100% cotton top layer, a polyester filler and a polyurethane waterproof lining. Fits standard crib size 52″ x 28″. Imported.
Pros: Good fit to standard cribs – Soft cotton material – No complaints of crinkle noises when baby moves around – Durable pads that last a good amount of time – Washes well – Holds leaks fairly well
Cons: One complaint of mold growth on pad – Products being made in China is misleading to some with their company name (American Baby Company) – Some complaints of chemical smells out of the packaging
2. Carter’s Keep Me Dry Mattress Pad
Carter’s is a company known for creating baby and children’s clothing and linens. Their Keep Me Dry waterproof baby mattress pad comes out as another top choice. At a very budget price, the Carter’s fitted crib mattress pad is made with polyester tricot and a 100% vinyl waterproof filling to prevent accidents from ruining your mattress. Fits standard crib size 52″ x 28″. Imported.
Pros: Soft polyester fabric – Holds up well in wash – Not loud and crinkly like older pads – Good fit on multiple baby mattress types – Lasts a long time
Cons: May be prone to pilling after a few washes – Liner may melt on high dryer setting – Few complaints of leaking through to the mattress
3. Naturepedic Organic Mattress Pad
Naturepedic is the company that touts itself as the safer alternative in the bedroom furnishings industry. Not only do they use organic products, but they are also certified by third party testing. Their products are regularly tested by GREENGUARD for chemical emissions as well as using only GOTS Certified organic cotton. Their fitted crib mattress pad is designed with 100% organic cotton and food-grade polyethylene for waterproofing. Fits standard crib size 52″ x 28″. Made in U.S.A.
Pros: Soft and thick cotton material – No annoying crinkle sounds – Good waterproof protection against leaks – Snug fit on most mattresses – Washes well – 100% Organic Cotton – Made in the U.S.A.
Cons: Expensive versus competing brands – Takes a longer time to dry – May not be a great fit on all crib mattress types
4. Sealy Mattress Pad, 2-Pack
Sealy is a bedding giant amongst their peers and they’ve been in business for over a century, so they know what they’re doing. Their fitted waterproof crib mattress protectors are also very favorable as per consumer feedback. This pad is actually sold as a 2 pack, but that really isn’t a problem for most parents who buy a spare anyway. It’s made with a soft and breathable, quilted cotton fabric and a polyester waterproof filling. Fits standard crib size 52″ x 28″. Made in U.S.A.
Pros: Name Brand that you can trust – Snug fit on multiple baby mattresses – Made in the USA – Soft and comfortable – No noise complaints
Cons: Complaints that it melts on high dryer settings – Might be better to air dry – May not last through several washes
5. Carter’s Keep Me Dry 4-Ply Mattress Pad
Another Carter’s baby mattress pad pops up on the list due to its reliability and overall popularity, only this version comes in a 4-ply for extra durability and reinforced corners. This pad is made with a soft top cotton layer and an absorbent 100% polyester filling. Fits standard crib size 52″ x 28″. Imported.
Pros: Soft cotton for extra comfort – Snug fit on multiple crib mattress types – Good absorbency and protection against leaks
Cons: This model may have a tendency to tear – Some complaints of melting in the wash even on gentle cycle – May not last as long as other competing brands
6. American Baby Company Mattress Pad
The American Baby Company again comes up with another pad worthy of being one of the best waterproof crib mattress pads. Unlike their organic version, this one is their standard “budget” option and less than half the price. This mattress pad is made with a polyester top and vinyl filling for maximum protection against leaks and spills. Fits standard crib size 52″ x 28″. Imported.
Pros: Doesn’t have the crinkly sound when baby rolls around – Good fit on multiple crib mattresses – Soft to the touch
Cons: Pills up after washing – May melt on high dryer setting – Multiple complaints of leaking through pads – A few complaints of ripping – May not be as soft as other pads – Misleading company name as products are made in China
CONCLUSION
There you have the best waterproof crib mattress pads as per those who have owned and have commented on their experiences with them. For those of you that need something more natural, you have the option of selecting an organic crib mattress topper. Though, keep in mind the waterproofing component will not be “natural” and will probably be made from some form of plastic. For the rest of us, however, Non-Organic will do fine.
Whatever your option, know that most parents will decide to go for 2 mattress pads for the convenience of having a spare to use while one is washing. Drying times may take a little longer since these pads are generally thicker than a standard bed sheet. And if you can’t afford 2, saving on the baby products you already buy can help.