Nook Pebble Air Crib Mattress Review

Pros
• Lightweight
• Breathable and nontoxic
• Beautiful, soft fabric
• Sophisticated design

Cons
• Cover is hard to take off
• Cover isn’t waterproof

Bottom Line
This beautiful mattress gives new parents the peace of mind that your little one is sleeping safely and comfortably.

Rating: 5 stars

As first-time parents, my husband and I did endless research into different baby gear—we put a lot of priority on finding products that were eco-friendly and safe to use. We didn’t have an unlimited budget, but there were a few areas where we knew we didn’t want to skimp. We received plenty of recommendations about which stroller to go with and what car seat to use, but none of our friends raved about their crib mattress. The Nook Pebble Air Crib Mattress, however, is one to rave about.

Features

The Pebble Air mattress is shipped in a package that’s so skinny and light, I initially didn’t even realize the mattress had arrived! When I opened it up, I saw the mattress carefully protected and curled up inside. After 24 hours, the mattress uncurls and returns to its standard form.

The mattress has several features that set it apart from other products in its category. Firstly, the quality and safety of the materials is outstanding. The mattress is composed of foam and a special nontoxic flame retardant, and the mattress cover is made of 100 percent organic cotton and sustainable eucalyptus, and tinted with water-based dyes. The cover is also infused with natural zinc to make it anti-mite, anti-mold and anti-fungal, so it’s a great hypoallergenic option. I know my baby is safe in every way when sleeping on this mattress.

Plus, it’s only seven pounds! That’s lighter than the average crib mattress. (Ed Note: Other foam mattresses can weigh up to 13 pounds, and innerspring mattresses can go up to 30 pounds.) Every bit of weight counts when you’re a new, exhausted mom changing the sheets after a middle-of-the-night blowout. Mattress sheets are sold separately ($48).

Performance

The cover zips off and on, as opposed to a traditional one where you can just pull it over the corners. Having to unzip the cover adds a few seconds when you’re dealing with those nighttime accidents.

After a few weeks of use, I can’t say that our daughter slept for longer than she would have on a more budget innerspring mattress, but I know my husband and I slept more soundly. We were comforted knowing she was sleeping on a top-of-the-line, breathable, nontoxic mattress.

Design

The Pebble Air is designed to be extremely breathable, thanks to the unique air channels in the foam core that help maximize airflow. That means baby is breathing freshly circulated air, even if she rolls onto her stomach.

The mattress cover comes in beautiful colors and the fabric feels incredibly soft. (If you want more than one color, extra covers are sold separately for $100.) The raised “pebbles” on the cover seemed like they might be a bit uncomfortable, but our daughter didn’t seem to notice them. They’re actually what help promote breathability. (Ed Note: The raised surface improves oxygen flow and helps keep baby cool and comfy throughout the night, according to Nook.) The makers really seem to have thought of every detail.

The cover is machine washable and has a special coating to help resist liquids and stains—but it’s not waterproof. Between diaper blowouts and spit-ups of epic proportions, a waterproof mattress cover is key. You don’t want to interrupt baby’s sleep any more than you need to, so I want to be able to wipe the cover down and know everything is good. My workaround with the Pebble Air is to have a waterproof liner underneath the cover, but that obviously affects the breathability of the mattress.

Summary

Overall, the Pebble Air is a great investment in your child’s safety. I feel good knowing my baby is sleeping on a mattress made with natural materials, designed with baby’s health top of mind.