For a 5 inch crib dual-sided crib mattress for infants and toddlers. What ILD should I be looking for? what would be a good ILD with 25% indentation with 20cm plate.
What should ILD be on infant side?
What should ILD be on toddlers side?
I was thinking something like 40 pounds or 180 N for infants
And 28 pounds or 125 N
I don’t really know if these are good number could anyone help me out. Thanks in advance🙏
Hi AI201,
Thanks for the question and welcome to the Mattress UnderGround.
For infants and toddlers, most would agree that a mattress on the firmer side is better to keep the youngster’s body in alignment.
Infants require firmer support for safety, especially for their developing spine and to reduce the risk of suffocation or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The ILD for the infant side should generally be firm, and values between 25-30 ILD are commonly used.
Keep in mind that infants and toddlers are very light weight as compared to teens and adults, so the term “firm” will be applied differently and the ILD values may not align with values reserved for adult mattresses.
As a child grows, they need slightly softer support for comfort while still providing proper spinal alignment. ILD for the toddler side can be softer, typically ranging from 20-25 ILD.
Maverick
Thanks for the response I really appreciate it.
I really did not know that the ILD would be so light usually when I go online they give you a chart like this : ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) Rating
And I just figured that everyone says that infants need a mattress on the scale like 8-10
And in the chart it says that the maximum is 40-44
Can you help me is to why they say it needs to be a 8-10 on firmness but I guess they are so light so a smaller ILD might be also adequately firm.
Also where can I find information on what firmness other crib mattress are or if there is some kind of European or American safety standard to how first it should be?
The chart you are pointing to is one based on ILD of mattresses directed at adults and the relative firmness levels that mattress companies use to rate their mattresses.
Just as a 250 lb person might say that a mattress with an ILD of 36 is too soft for them where the same mattress for a 150lb person would consider it a brick. so to are the firmness ratings for a kids mattress. If you just think about it a 15-30lb kid is not going to indent a 35 ILD mattress at all, where an adult may deem it soft depending on how heavy they are. If you put the ILD ratings into google search, I am certain they will convert it to a European equivalent.
As I mentioned in my initial response, the ild rating is relative to the weight of the child, which is why a lower medium rated adult mattress is considered firm for a much lighter child. The chart is really referring to latex ratings and 44 is considered a very dense firm latex option. Where as polyfoam of 50, 80 or 100 is not uncommon when used as a support layer, or edge support layer of a mattress.
Thanks for the response Maverick
Could you tell me why is it so hard to find information on ILD for crib mattresses while easy for adult mattresses?
Where can I find information on ILDs in crib mattresses or if there is any standard of firmness to be able to sell on European market or American market?
The only information I can find is this article: How Firm Should a Crib Mattress Be? Official Comfort Advice
It can be challenging to find ILD ratings for crib and toddler mattresses because companies like Birch, Helix, Avocado, and @My_Green_Mattress may not readily disclose this information, simply to avoid confusion. Which is likely why they offer a separate kids line. Otherwise, parents might buy a twin or full adult firm mattress which would likely be more firm than a child would need.
If you ask them directly via chat or phone, they are usually happy to share. However, they might avoid publishing these ratings to prevent confusion between the firmness requirements for children’s mattresses and those for adults. For example, while they may classify a 44 ILD as “very firm” and a 36 ILD as “firm” for adult mattresses, these levels would be too rigid for children. Most kids’ mattresses typically fall in the 30 ILD range on the firmer side, accounting for the significant weight difference between adults and young children.
I think most reputable companies land at about the same place when it comes to kids’ mattress firmness since those children would not have a voice of their own in the matter. It also takes the guesswork out of choosing for the parents.
Maverick
I really hope you can help me out Maverick
Thanks for the response, Maverick, but I’m really confused because I can’t find any standard or clear guideline on how firm a crib mattress should be. I’ve searched for information, but there seems to be no specific mention of ILD or firmness requirements in the standards. How do companies like Newton, Naturepedic, and Sealy determine the firmness of their mattresses? I’ve reached out to them, and they all just say that their products comply with 16 CFR 1241 and ASTM F2933, but I can’t find any reference in those standards that specifies an exact ILD or any test to determine the firmness.
If there’s no explicit firmness specification in these standards, how can I know what ILD I should use for a crib mattress? I really feel that 25-30 ILD is the correct firmness, but I’m struggling to find any concrete source or manufacturer that confirms this as a standard. Where does this specific ILD range come from, and how do manufacturers determine this without clear guidelines? I can’t find any information or testing procedures to back it
This is the best I have found on the web for this.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other safety organizations do not specify a precise firmness level (such as a specific ILD, or Indentation Load Deflection, which is a measure of how firm a mattress is based on how much force is needed to compress it by a certain amount). However, they do offer guidelines on what is considered firm enough for infant safety, without going into exact measurements like ILD.
Thanks for the response Maverick
I found this video:
but I don’t think it is very helpful because it says to use 2 liters/2kg on a book. But that deflects hardly anything like maybe around 1mm and no where close to 12 mm.
But do you think just aiming for about 25-30 Ibs of force for a 25% indentation with 20cm plate. for infants should be good? And around 20-25 for kids above 12 months?
Here is the best way I can explain this situation. It comes from my more than 40 years as a licensed optical health care provider.
In healthcare, particularly in the optical industry, there’s a situation where guidelines exist but don’t explicitly dictate which materials to use. For instance, although the government does set standards for impact resistance in eyeglass lenses, there is no law mandating that polycarbonate lenses be used for children under 18. However, because polycarbonate lenses are known to be the most impact-resistant material available, legal precedents have established that healthcare professionals are expected to prioritize these lenses, especially for minors. If a child is injured in an accident and the glasses didn’t have polycarbonate lenses, the healthcare provider could be held liable for not following the industry’s best practices, even though there is no legal mandate. Essentially, there’s no law saying “you must use polycarbonate,” but if an injury occurs, the courts will often find the provider responsible for not using the safest option available. This unwritten industry standard has become a de facto requirement.
Even when parents insist on not using polycarbonate lenses and are willing to sign a waiver—usually to avoid the additional cost of $10 to $60 per pair—the courts still tend to side with the layperson (when an injury occurs) over the licensed professional (despite a signed waiver). As a result, most professionals will either let the sale walk out the door or choose not to make the glasses at all, as this is not one of those situations where the “consumer is always right.”
Now, let’s apply this to the crib mattress question:
Just like the optical industry, there is no explicit requirement or exact standard in the regulations like 16 CFR 1241 or ASTM F2933 for the specific ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) firmness of crib mattresses. These standards primarily address safety aspects, such as flammability and material composition, rather than setting strict guidelines for how firm the mattress should be. Manufacturers such as Newton, Naturepedic, and Sealy comply with these safety regulations, but they do not explicitly define firmness through a specific ILD in those standards. So, there’s no exact “law” saying that a mattress must have an ILD of 25-30.
However, the ILD range of 25-30 has become a widely accepted and recommended firmness range for infant mattresses because it strikes a balance between being firm enough to prevent suffocation (by ensuring the baby can’t sink too deeply into the mattress) while being comfortable for sleep. This is based on research, expert recommendations, and the collective experience of manufacturers, but it’s not explicitly mandated in the standards.
In the same way that optometrists and other licensed eye healthcare professionals know that polycarbonate lenses are the safest for children, mattress manufacturers have arrived at the 25-30 ILD range through a combination of best practices, safety guidelines, and expert recommendations. While no regulations specifically tell them “25-30 ILD,” they are well aware that staying within this range reduces risks to infant health, just like optometrists are aware of the risks involved in not using polycarbonate lenses for children.
In short, while there are no clear, mandated firmness specifications in the standards, the 25-30 ILD range is considered the safest and most appropriate range for infant mattresses, just like polycarbonate lenses are for children’s eyewear. Manufacturers follow this unwritten standard because it aligns with the safety expectations and legal principles that guide their industries. Without this adherence, they risk being held responsible if something goes wrong.
Hopefully, this helps understand how the industry works, although it does not get you to a specific value for mattress firmness that you are looking for.
Maverick
Dear Maverick
Merry Christmas and happy new year
I hope you could help me out.
So I reached out to one manufacturer that said that they had a 30 ild side for ]infants and 23 ild for toddlers. And they sent me a short video of just demonstrating how hard it is with their hands but I find it looks very soft could you give me your opinion the video.
The manufacturer even mentioned that they think the core is to soft even though it reaches the ild of standard foam crib mattresses
One side as 30 ild
The other side has 23 ild
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HJQC2wdBw1vAVHPoOG4xEb23zmwWORj-/view?usp=sharing
I tried the link and it did not take me anywhere
Thanks for the response, this link should work sorry,
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1G03i23kSC1Kr1cyDn5RKJpXGi6ph0_Cg?usp=sharing
That looks like a polyethylene air fiber material. Airweave oe mongze are a couple of brand names.
I know that some Olympic athletes sleep on this material mattress and it is supposed to be firm.
They claim you can place it on a mattress that is too soft and it will firm it up.
It is supposed to sleep very cool due to air flow.
I know you can buy the material on alibaba for about $10 in the equivalent size of a twin bed.
It is basically a thermal plastic like fishing line.
I dont know! I want to not like this stuff. If it was that good the industry would be going viral with it.
I have done some research on my own regarding this material, but i have not gotten any feedback from industry people.
The jury is still out on this. I just dont have an answer as no one has commented on it longer term except the folks who manufacturer it and are trying to sell this box packing material, as mattress material.
Polyethylene air fiber could be a suitable material for a baby’s crib mattress, but there are some important considerations to ensure it’s the right choice for safety and comfort.
The air pockets within polyethylene air fiber allow for good airflow, which helps prevent heat buildup and promotes a cooler sleep environment. This could be beneficial in reducing the risk of overheating, a concern for infants.
The material is lightweight, which makes it easier for parents to lift and change crib sheets, a practical benefit when dealing with a crib mattress.
Polyethylene air fiber is durable and can maintain its shape over time, which means the mattress may last longer without sagging or losing support.
Polyethylene is moisture-resistant, which can help prevent liquid absorption (important for diaper leaks). Some polyethylene-based mattresses are designed with a waterproof cover, which is easy to clean and maintain.
Baby mattresses generally need to be firm to reduce the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While polyethylene air fiber is durable, it can be quite firm, which may make it a suitable option for providing the necessary firm support for a baby.
Unlike memory foam or latex, polyethylene air fiber does not contour to the baby’s body. This may not be as important for infants since they require firmer support, but for older toddlers, some level of conformity might be desirable for
Some parents may be concerned about the potential for chemical sensitivities or off-gassing from synthetic materials like polyethylene. Though polyethylene is considered relatively safe, it’s important to ensure that the mattress is made with non-toxic, baby-safe materials. Look for certifications like CertiPUR-US or GREENGUARD to ensure the mattress is free from harmful vocs
Hej Maverick thanks for the response
I do think that Polyolefin elastomers are a good material for crib mattresses as larger companies like IKEA also has models with this material. But how would I go about determining the firmness with a ILD as the manufacturer said they think 30 and 23 ild are to soft as seen in the video. Should I potentially just go and test the ILD of the IKEA mattress to determine the firmness?
Also the reason it not being mainstream is likely due to the fact it is a lot more expensive than traditional foam products and industry standards due take a long time to shift
To practically measure the ILD of a polyethylene mattress without relying on the manufacturer’s data, there are several approaches you can take.
One simple method is the hand compression test, where you press down on the mattress with your palm to gauge its firmness—softer foams compress more easily, while firmer ones offer more resistance.
Similarly, lying on the mattress and noting how it compresses under your body weight can give a subjective sense of its firmness, with softer foams molding more around your body.
A comparative test with other mattresses you’ve already encountered (like those from IKEA) can also be useful, especially if you know their ILD ratings, helping you compare the firmness relative to familiar models.
If you’re up for a DIY approach, you could attempt a basic ILD test at home by placing known weights (like a bowling ball) on the foam and measuring how much it compresses. While this won’t provide an exact ILD value, it can give you an idea of relative softness or firmness.
If a detailed ILD data is essential, you could try reaching out to the retailer or manufacturer for additional information, as some might be willing to share specific details. While none of these methods provide the precision of a professional ILD test, they offer practical ways for you as a consumer to assess firmness and get a rough idea of the foam’s characteristics.
Unfortunately, you may have to rely on the manufacturer to provide the information. Then you have to hope this material has the longevity to last in a way that maintains that measurement.
Maverick