Firmness

Should a crib mattress be soft or firm?

Small infants placed on their back may not start to roll over until they are a few months old. Once they can move around and roll onto their tummy, their face can engage the mattress. The mattress, sheet and any mattress protector should be firm and tight so that the infant’s face cannot become engaged.  Mattresses must pass a test for firmness using the Firmometer, a device shown to the right.