How to Raise a Crib Mattress (the Safe Way)
With my first two, I always felt cribs weren’t designed for someone my height. Bending all the way down to lay a sleeping newborn on a low mattress was hard on my back, and I’d wonder how to get the mattress higher without tipping in myself. So I raised it for the first months, using the crib’s own settings.
There’s a safe way to do this, and a few popular “fixes” that aren’t safe at all.
How to raise a crib mattress: the quick answer
Raise it only with your crib’s own mattress-height settings, following the manual. Most cribs have two to four levels, and the highest is meant for newborns. Don’t put anything under the mattress, and don’t use risers, wedges or “mattress elevators” to lift or tilt it. Lower it again before your baby can sit up. (HealthyChildren.org, AAP)
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use the crib’s highest setting for a newborn | Stack anything under the mattress (books, foam, boards, a second mattress) |
| Follow the manual and use the original hardware | Use risers, wedges or “elevators” sold to raise or tilt the mattress |
| Check the mattress sits flat and fits snugly | Raise the head end for reflux or a stuffy nose |
| Lower it before your baby can sit up | Leave it high once your baby starts rolling, pushing up or sitting |
How to use your crib’s height settings
- Find the manual (or look it up online by model number) to see how many mattress heights your crib has. Ours had three.
- Take out the mattress and sheet.
- Move the mattress support to the highest setting the manual allows for newborns, with a second person helping if you can.
- Tighten every bolt or hook, and check the support sits level.
- Put the mattress back and check the fit: if more than two fingers fit between the mattress and the crib’s sides or ends, the gap is too big. (HealthyChildren.org, AAP)
Cribs don’t use a box spring. The crib’s own mattress support does that job, so the mattress goes straight onto it.
Why risers, wedges and “mattress elevators” aren’t safe
You’ll find products that promise to lift a crib mattress higher or tilt it up for a baby with reflux or a cold. Please skip them.
- Sleep surfaces need to be flat. The AAP says sleep surfaces inclined more than 10 degrees are unsafe for infant sleep. (AAP 2022 safe sleep recommendations)
- Raising the head of the crib doesn’t help reflux. The AAP says it doesn’t reduce reflux and isn’t recommended. Babies with reflux should still sleep flat on their backs. (HealthyChildren.org, AAP)
- Anything under the mattress can create gaps at the edges, or make the mattress uneven, and a baby can slide or get wedged.
- A higher mattress means a lower rail. Lifting the mattress above the crib’s highest setting puts the top of the rail closer to your baby, making falls more likely once they move.
If your baby is congested or spitting up a lot, talk to your pediatrician rather than changing the sleep surface.
Kelleigh’s Quick Tip: If your back is the problem, the crib’s highest setting plus a bedside bassinet for the first few months saves a lot of bending. Just make sure any bassinet is used flat and within its age and weight limits.
When to lower it again
Raise it for the newborn stage only. The AAP says to lower the mattress before your baby can sit up, and to put it at the lowest setting before they learn to stand. (HealthyChildren.org, AAP) See when to lower the crib mattress for the milestones to watch for.
FAQs
How do I raise my baby’s crib mattress?
Use the crib’s own height settings, following the manual. Move the mattress support to the highest setting allowed for newborns, tighten the hardware, and check the mattress fits snugly.
Are crib mattress risers or elevators safe?
No. Don’t put anything under a crib mattress or use products that lift or tilt it. The sleep surface should be firm and flat.
Can I raise the crib mattress for reflux or congestion?
No. The AAP says raising the head of the crib doesn’t reduce reflux and isn’t recommended. Talk to your pediatrician instead.
Do cribs need a box spring?
No. The crib’s mattress support replaces a box spring. The mattress sits directly on it.
How long can my baby use the highest crib setting?
Until they start rolling, pushing up or trying to sit. Lower it before they can sit up.
My take
Using the crib’s highest setting for the newborn weeks is a real gift to your back. Just use the crib’s own settings, keep the mattress flat and snug, and lower it the moment your baby starts getting mobile. Anything that lifts or tilts the mattress beyond that isn’t worth the risk.
Questions about your own baby? Email me at kelleigh@imperfecthomemaking.com.
Happy parenting!
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