Best Organic Crib Mattress Pads

By Alesandra Woolley

Jul 11th, 2023

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Oh, baby – finding the right items to outfit your nursery can be tough. As a parent, you’re deeply concerned with the protection of your child and their health. Keeping them well means carefully choosing everything they come in contact with. This is especially important when you’re adorning your baby’s sleep space. 

When choosing a crib mattress pad to top off your baby’s crib mattress, comfort is important but safety is key. By choosing organic materials, you can give yourself peace of mind by knowing what you’re buying. All-natural is always best. Discover our top picks for the best organic crib mattress pads and learn what to look for when shopping for your baby’s crib bedding.

The Best Organic Crib Mattress Pads

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Baby and Brooke

Best Budget Organic Crib Mattress Pad

The Organic Bamboo Fitted Crib Mattress Pad by Baby and Brooke will provide your baby with the most secure sleep. When a parent is shopping for products for their baby, there are certain keywords to look out for.

This affordable organic crib mattress pad has all the important ones covered; it’s waterproof, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic. Organic bamboo is a comfy, durable, and safe material that can stand up to a spill but also allows airflow. This high-quality option is also soundproof, meaning that it won’t wake you or your baby during the night.

Pros:

  • Highly absorbent and breathable.
  • Softer than cotton and free of chemicals.
  • Stops odor producing bacteria from spreading.

Cons:

  • Not completely waterproof.
  • Cannot be dried in the dryer due to waterproof backing and takes longer to air dry than a regular sheet.
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Naturepedic

Best Waterproof Organic Crib Mattress Pad

Naturepedic’s Waterproof Fitted Crib Pad is our top pick in the luxury category and will provide the royal treatment to your little prince or princess. Its waterproof barrier works hard to block dust mites, allergens, and spills, while somehow remaining soft as can be.

Both the top and bottom layers are made with 100-percent organic cotton, creating an all-encompassing shield for your crib pad. Cotton’s ability to absorb and allow airflow makes for a non-sweaty surface that’s breathable and stays dry. This product is resilient enough to be machine-washed and dried time and time again without damage.

Pros:

  • No latex allergenic concerns.
  • Keeps mattress protected.
  • Makes for less sweaty backs.

Cons:

  • May not fit snugly. Does not shrink to fit.
  • Less like a fitted sheet and more like a flat mat.
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American Baby Company

Best Spot Coverage

You’ll find all the benefits of an organic crib mattress pad for a fraction of the price in the American Baby Company’s Waterproof Quilted Crib Mattress Cover. It’s made up of a few materials that lend to its high durability and comfort rankings.

The top layer is organic cotton, the middle is quilted 100-polyester, and the back layer is knitted polyester. A soft, quilted top adds an extra layer of comfort for your baby. Laminated with TPU film, this cover is guaranteed to be waterproof against anything. Should a spill occur – simply pull off this cover and throw it in the wash for a cleaning process that’s as easy as cake!

Pros:

  • Waterproof pads also serve as cushioning.
  • Extra soft materials make pad less noisy or ‘crinkling’ sounds.
  • Fits great on a pack ’n play mattress.

Cons:

  • May shrink in the dryer.
  • Potential wear and tear after washing.
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Whisper Organics

Most Breathable

Whisper Organics makes a great Organic Cotton Quilted Crib Mattress Pad that’s certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard. The 100-percent cotton used to make this product is never exposed to pesticides.

Furthermore, the entire process of making these pads is completely free of chemicals as well. Sporting a 300 thread-count weave, this option is clearly top quality. Its quilted top is super soft and hypoallergenic by nature. This surface won’t irritate even those with the most sensitive skin. Whisper Organics has got your back.

Pros:

  • Absorbs sweat and prevents overheating.
  • All natural with nothing artificial.
  • Certified organic – cozy and safe.

Cons:

  • Potential fitting issues.
  • Not 100% waterproof.

What is a Crib Mattress Pad? 

A crib mattress pad protects both your toddler’s crib and mattress. Using such a pad helps protect your infant or toddler’s sleeping surface from allergens and bacteria, particularly from leaky diapers and accidents in the night. Less allergens and bacteria means a reduced chance of your baby’s sensitive skin getting irritated.

Related: Best crib mattress toppers

Why Buy Organic?

There are several reasons to buy organic. Buying organic cotton is more sustainable for the environment, as production of organic cotton uses less water. Organic cotton is also safer for wildlife ecosystems and for consumers. Organic cotton crops are not treated with harmful pesticides, insecticides, and genetically modified organisms. Going organic protects your family from unnecessary exposure to these toxins.

Related: Best organic mattress

Do I Need a Crib Mattress Pad?

It is generally a good idea to use a mattress pad for babies. Even if your crib mattress has a waterproof finish, it is still smart to have backup support. The pad provides absorbency for excess moisture caused by a leaked diaper, drool, or saliva that in turn protects your baby’s skin from irritation.

Pros/Cons of an Organic Crib Mattress Pad

Going organic with a crib mattress topper is not just about sustainability, it is also protection for your little one. However, it is important to know all pros and cons about buying an organic crib mattress pad before you decide to purchase one.

The alternative to an organic mattress topper is a foam crib mattress pad. Foam is lightweight, hypoallergenic, soft, and distributes weight evenly. However, foam can have an irritable, persistent smell caused by chemicals that serve as flame retardants.

Exposure to these chemicals can cause lifetime health problems, especially in infants and toddlers who sleep a great deal more than adults and therefore have increased exposure. These chemicals are known to wake infants and toddlers and overheat them. Foam also loses its durability and shape over time.

On the other hand, organic does not have these same risks incurred with harsh chemicals. Therefore, organic is the perfect option for kids with allergies or other sensitivity to these chemicals. It’s soft and comfortable, absorptive but breathable, and has a waterproof barrier. The drawback of organic can be the price, but the benefits outweigh the risks of the alternatives.

How to Find the Best Organic Crib Mattress Pad

If you’re in the market for a baby mattress pad, you’ll find yourself swimming in a sea of options. Consider the below factors to narrow down to your best option. Material, care, and comfort will point you in the right direction.

Material

Material is of utmost importance when choosing an organic crib mattress pad. So first of all, what makes a material organic? Organic cotton is basically cotton grown organically in subtropical countries and parts of the USA from non-genetically modified plants. No synthetic agricultural chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides can be used three years prior to harvest if the product is to be labeled as certified organic. The organic label is regulated by the National Organic Program (NOP) with the USDA. So the bottom line is, if you see a label saying ‘certified organic,’ you can trust it.

Organic crib bedding materials can also be made out of bamboo. Most importantly, bamboo is also regulated by the NOP in terms of whether it is certified organic. However, the NOP only covers bamboo as a grown crop and not as a finished product. Therefore, whether bamboo crib materials are actually completely organic once production is over falls into question and is not regulated. Bamboo grows faster and is more sustainable for the environment than cotton as it takes far less water to grow. However, both crops are considered a sustainable resource.

Care

When you are a busy mother or father, having a crib mattress pad that is machine washable and dryable makes a big difference. Some pads require hang drying for the waterproof layer inside the pad, as otherwise it could burn. Make sure you check a product’s care instructions to see if it will be convenient for you.

Comfort

Foster a peaceful sleep by choosing a crib mattress pad that’s soft, smooth, and snuggle-ready. Luckily, organic fabrics are soft AND protective; they aren’t noisy or crunchy like other waterproof materials. Organic is the option that can really do it all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mattress pads safe for cribs? 

Yes, a mattress pad is safe for cribs, provided that a consumer follows guidelines and warnings as related to safe use.

Do you need a waterproof mattress pad for a crib? 

Yes, a baby spends up to 18 hours a day in their crib, and during that time they can drool, leak urine, and defecate in a way that can seep through a fitted crib sheet and into the mattress. A mattress pad protects your mattress from bacteria build up that can cause irritation to your baby’s skin.

Can you wash crib mattress pads? 

Yes, you can. Most are machine washable, but based on the waterproof layer used in your pad, it may be best to air dry.

What other bedding items do I need for a crib?

Other great bedding items to have for a crib are baby blankets, the crib mattress itself, baby movement monitors, and baby mobiles. Before you buy any bedding items that may or may not be necessary, be advised about the risk of SIDS, and what you can do to prevent suffocation of an infant in his or her sleep through what you purchase and how you use it.

Summary

Here’s a recap of the best organic crib mattress pads we’ve reviewed: 

Mattress Pad Material Best for  Rating
Baby and Brooke Organic Bamboo Budget  4.7/5
Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof  4.3/5
American Baby Company Organic Cotton and Polyester Spot Coverage 4.3/5
Whisper Organics Organic Cotton Most Breathable 4.7/5

There’s no doubt in our mind that you want what’s best for your baby. When shopping for any organic products, you should always reference the labels and ensure that the product is free from any toxins and chemicals. Your baby deserves to sleep with clean, organic products – not only to get a good night’s sleep but a safe night’s sleep.