Wondering if it is safe to put 2 mattresses in a crib? Here are major issues with stacking two mattresses in the crib.
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Photo by Curtis Adams
When you’re a new parent setting up your baby’s nursery, there are a lot of things to worry about. One of the questions that come up is whether or not it’s safe to put two mattresses in a crib.
Stacking two crib mattresses is absolutely not safe. Doing so can lead to serious safety hazards, including suffocation and entrapment, in addition to causing permanent damage to both mattresses and compromising your child’s quality of sleep.
If the reason why you’re considering stacking two crib mattresses is so you can reach into the crib (#shortmomproblems), you might want to get a portable step stool instead, just be extra careful when getting up or down while carrying your baby.
Major Issues with Stacking Two Mattresses in The Crib
There are many safety risks that come with putting two mattresses in your baby’s crib, ranging from the obvious to the less obvious issues. We’ll explain each of the major issues so that you can have all the arguments to refrain from doing so:
Risk of Climbing out Of the Crib
If your child is showing signs of being able to sit and pull up to a standing position, stacking two crib mattresses on top of each other will reduce the distance to the crib rails so your child might more easily pull themselves up. This basically might give them the extra boost they need to escape the crib.
Most babies can pull themselves to a standing position around 7 to 8 months old, so you’ll need to take measures to ensure their safety before that time comes, such as lowering the crib mattress to its lowest position.
Once they’re out, they’re at risk of serious injuries from falling out of the crib and onto the floor. Falling out of the crib is actually a very serious accident and can lead to rushing to the Emergency Room (ER) with a concussion or a broken arm or leg.
Entrapment and Suffocation Risks
Another serious risk associated with stacking two mattresses in the same crib is that your child might get themselves entrapped in between the mattresses, leading to serious suffocation hazards.
Crib entrapment occurs when a baby’s head or body becomes wedged in between the mattress and the side of the crib, leaving them unable to move or breathe. This is an extremely serious situation that can quickly lead to death if not resolved immediately.
To avoid this, always make sure there’s no gap between the mattress and the side of the crib, and never put anything in the crib that could create a gap, such as pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals.
Suffocation is one of the leading causes of death in babies under one year old, and it can happen very easily when a baby is lying on a soft surface. When two mattresses are stacked, there’s a risk that the baby could roll onto their stomach and be unable to turn their head to the side to breathe, leading to suffocation.
Improper Support and Overall Instability
When you have two mattresses stacked, the top mattress that your child will be laying directly on will not have the support it needs. The bottom mattress will compress unevenly under your child’s and your top mattress’s weight, and provide uneven support for the top one. The mattresses will be bending from the top and the bottom which will increase their sagging rate and drastically reduce their lifespan.
You should also know that not putting your mattress on a proper foundation can void the manufacturer’s warranty. Every mattress (Crib mattresses included) needs a proper foundation to offer the best level of support and comfort it was designed to offer.
Unsupported mattresses can sustain permanent damage and sag prematurely, which can then create dangerous gaps between the mattress and the crib rails where your child could easily become entrapped. Not to mention the compromised comfort and support that your child will be getting when trying to sleep on such an uneven surface.
Mold Issues
To add to the already serious risks that come with stacking mattresses in your baby’s crib, there’s also the potential for mold growth.
When two mattresses are stacked, there’s less airflow between them, which creates the perfect environment for mold spores to grow. Mold can cause serious respiratory problems, and it’s especially dangerous for young babies whose immune systems are still developing.
You could prevent or at least decrease the molding risk by rotating and flipping the mattresses on a regular basis and cleaning them with a vinegar solution regularly, but it’s still not worth the risk when you can simply keep the new crib mattress and discard the second one or return it to the store if it’s brand new.
Final Thoughts
There is really no valid reason to put two mattresses in the crib, especially when it poses such great risks to the safety and well-being of your child.
If you’re struggling with the height of the crib, remember that there are plenty of other ways to make it work, such as using a step stool to reach into the crib or picking a higher level for your crib mattress if your baby is not old enough to be able to climb out of the crib.
The purpose of this article is informative and educational only. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babycious may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content.
