The Newton Crib Mattress. A Three-Year Review.

We've been using the Newton crib mattress for over three years and it's been slept on by all three of our kids. After daily usage for long stretches of sleep, it's safe to say that it's likely our most used baby item that we've ever purchased. 

 While I understand that it may be harder to splurge on a higher end Newton for $299 rather than spending less on something from Serta, Graco, or Babyletto, this has been worth every penny.

Let break down everything you should know.

Core and Cover

The real magic behind the Newton is their proprietary Wovenaire core which is made up of individually spun threads, pressed together to form a solid block that makes the base of the mattress. The brand says it’s actually 90% air. 

While the optics would suggest it doesn’t look like it could support much, it is definitely firm and doesn’t have much give. The single most-important thing you’re looking for in a baby mattress is firmness for proper spine support and development and Newton definitely holds up strong despite the core's remarkable resemblance to Tangela.

The thing parents will like most about this is how easy it is to clean. It’s probably what sets it apart the most from other mattresses. If it gets soiled in any way – spit up, pee, blowout, etc. – the core can be hosed down and then air dried. The cover that comes over the core can be zipped on or off and is machine washable for easy cleaning.

On that note, the cover is made from 100% polyester and because the cover is soft and washable, you actually don’t need a bedsheet or any sort of water proofing to go on top. It’s actually recommended that you don’t use one but if you do, a breathable fabric like muslin is the way to go. 

Also, for a little more cash Newton does offer a waterproof version that still maintains breathability. If that’s something you are concerned with, have a look at that on their site.

To some folks the term “organic” is just marketing fodder, but it is worth noting that this is Greenguard Gold Certified.

Most off-gassing (release of airborne particles and chemicals – also known as VOCs) associated with mattress materials hasn’t really been proven to be harmful,  but it has been linked to irritation for people with chemical sensitivities or respiratory conditions. 

When you're spending up on the premium mattress options like Newton in comparison to budget-friendly choices, this is one of the main factors we knew we were buying into. There’s added value in the clean materials being used in Newton with no foam or latex, hypoallergenic, and free of off-gassing.

Breathablility

Let’s hit on the biggest feature that's most associated with Newton – breathability.

As you may have seen from influencers and ads, people mash their face into the mattress and breathe. I’ve done it myself and it’s true, you actually can breathe through it.

The thinking behind this is that if a baby were to roll over and face down, as many do, they could breathe through the mattress and reduce the risk of suffocation – not SIDS.

Many people associate Newton with preventing SIDS which is incorrect. That's something that needs to be made clear as I think their main aim is to mitigate the risk of suffocation.

In doing more research for this, I went through a lot of forums and groups and one common thing that I've heard are parents trying to debunk it saying that, “breathable isn't a thing” and it’s a false sense of security, predatory advertising, and unethical fear-mongering.

To some extent, I agree that while SIDS and suffocation risks are something to be cognizant of, it shouldn't be at the forefront of parent's minds that leads to restlessness and a constant sense of unease.

But what I say is if a baby were to face directly into the mattress, yes they could absolutely breathe right through it; the same could not be achieved with many other existing mattresses. So yes, suffocation risks are presumably reduced as the brand claims. And after actual usage, there is no doubt that there is increased airflow with Newton.

Should You Buy?

The main thing you may be considering is whether or not suffocation is actually a big risk that you should be anxious about and if Newton is the only way to solve that. For me, I don't think so. It shouldn’t be much of a concern as long as you are practicing safe sleep.

If you can make it work in your budget, the Newton is definitely worthy of its price tag with its hypoallergenic build and ability to be easily washed. I can say after three full years of usage, it has held up quite well, and we've gotten every bit of value out of it that I expected. Almost every other parent that I know who use it have no regrets share a similar love for it.

You can buy the crib mattress here and use the code DADVERB35OFF for a slight discount.

Lastly – while I absolutely think this a helpful tool to aid in safe sleep, but shouldn’t be the only thing you’re doing.

I want to take a moment to plug one key message here – I've reviewed a lot of baby products especially when it comes to sleep including smart monitors, mattresses, and sound machines.

One thing to keep in mind is it's not about the products. It’s about our behavior as parents and using safe sleep practices. Stick to the ABC method which is: 

Alone
On the Back
In a Crib

You can read more using the links below.

CPSC Crib Guidelines: https://bit.ly/3lbYAk3 
CPSC Safe Sleep Info: https://bit.ly/34sdGLy
ABC’s of Sleep: https://bit.ly/2GFEQq4