This crib mattress has a waterproof cover and a washable inner core so it's easy to clean up after nighttime messes

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• The Newton Ultimate Waterproof Crib Mattress is a two-stage infant and toddler mattress with a waterproof cover that's easy to clean.
• The Wovenaire core is made of 10% food-grade polymer (the rest is just air) and can be washed in the tub with soap and water, making it more hygienic than other mattresses.
• The removable cover can be machine washed and dried whenever things get messy.

Table of Contents: Static

One of the most important features to look for in a crib mattress is how easy it is to clean. Once potty training starts, nighttime messes are likely to be a common occurrence and having a mattress with a waterproof cover that is easy to clean is a big benefit. Although many crib mattresses offer some form of waterproofing, not all are effective or easy to clean.

Unlike traditional mattresses, the cover along with the Newton Ultimate Waterproof Crib Mattress itself can be fully washed so your child's bed is more hygienic and easier to clean. Newton reached out to me to review its crib mattress, and I agreed, thinking it'd be good to test as my daughter is fast approaching the potty-training toddler stage.

Design and specs

The mattress has a removable dual-layer cover that is machine washable and breathable thanks to its mesh fabric. It is 5.5 inches thick and meets the standard crib measurements of 52 by 28 inches. It weighs 14 pounds.

Newton's waterproof mattress comes in white and gray, while the Original Crib Mattress comes in white, gray, blue, and pink. It has both an infant side and a toddler side with a waterproof barrier.

I liked that the mattress was free of off-gassing and is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it releases a very low amount of chemical emissions.

What it's like to use

I started using the mattress as my daughter was approaching a year old, and I thought the waterproof design would be useful as she entered her toddler (read: potty training) years. It does indeed protect the mattress against any accidents — I tested the waterproof cover by pouring some water on it, and it didn't penetrate.

I wash every baby item that comes into my house, and I was thrilled that I could wash this mattress in the tub. Being able to thoroughly clean a mattress can help prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, mold, and allergens.

The cover easily zipped off, and I was able to fit it in my apartment's washing machine. However, washing and putting it through several drying cycles took about four hours. I definitely recommend keeping your old mattress if you plan on washing everything before using it or having a backup safe sleeping option available, like a pack and play.

The Newton mattress cover is very soft, and the brand says you can have the baby sleep directly on it. If you prefer to use a sheet, any standard-size brand will work.

I don't know if it was the mattress or a fluke, but my daughter slept through the night the very first time we used the Newton mattress. I've been impressed by its quality. It's very well made and feels comfortable. It's firm but not too hard.

Safety claims

Newton claims that its mesh cover and the woven core can help reduce the risk of your baby suffocating or overheating. The company consulted a third-party, CPSC-accredited laboratory to test this claim. "In independent testing, Newton scored highest among its peers for breathability and lowest in suffocation risk," according to the company's website.

However, I asked Erin Leichman, PhD, of the Pediatric Sleep Council, and she said, "To my knowledge, there is no special product or mattress that can reduce the risk of suffocation."

Given that the claim is unproven, the breathability of the mattress isn't a deciding factor in my recommendation.

What makes it stand out

Most other crib mattresses are made with polyester, foam, or coil innerspring, and they are almost all wipe clean or spot clean. Some mattresses do have a removable cover, but Newton's is unique because the mattress core itself can be washed.

The Wovenaire Core is made of food-grade polymer, which looks like a plastic spider web with lots of holes. It's completely washable in the tub or shower.

The cons

The biggest drawback is the price. The Ultimate Waterproof Crib Mattress is $349, which is on par with premium organic mattresses. However, it's much more expensive than many other crib mattresses.

After washing, the cover took hours to dry. Newton recommends to tumble dry on low heat and not to hang dry it. If you're washing the cover and/or mattress, you'll need a backup safe sleeping option for your child.

The bottom line

The Newton mattress comes with a 100-night trial. Although I was sent an editorial sample for this review, after a week, I knew I was satisfied and would be able to recommend it. I appreciate that both the cover and the inner core can be washed, making it more hygienic than other mattresses. It's also a safe product to give as a hand-me-down, since it can be completely disinfected.

A similar, more affordable mattress we like is the Babyletto Pure Core Mattress with Hybrid Waterproof Cover for $199. Its removable organic cotton cover is machine-washable and the waterproof inner layer protects the mattress. It's also free of off-gassing, hypoallergenic, and Greenguard Gold Certified.

Pros: Mattress and cover are completely washable, waterproof cover, comfortable

Cons: Expensive, takes a long time to wash and dry