Comfortable, dual firmness, reasonably priced, and made in the USA!
By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founderMommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
We put the new Love to Dream Gro crib mattress to the test, evaluating comfort, off-gassing, durability, firmness, weight, crib fit, ease of use, breathability, and more!
Let's see how it performed!
The Love to Dream Gro crib mattress is marketed as a premium, 2-in-1 sleep solution that transitions from a firm infant support to a softer toddler surface.
With its focus on breathability and natural materials like cotton and wool, it aims to compete with the top breathable mattresses on the market.
We put it through our hands-on testing to see how it performs and whether it's worth a spot on our list of the best crib mattresses!
Our Review
Nobody wants to read through an entire article to get to conclusions; you've got more important things to do! So here are our findings, right up front.
Here is a summary of what we loved, and a couple of things that could be improved.
✔️ Made in the USA.
✔️ Dual-firmness (Infant and Toddler sides).
✔️ Breathable cover and core.
✔️ Greenguard GOLD certified.
✔️ Soft, adorable stork-patterned cover.
✔️ Excellent edge and corner support.
✔️ No polyurethane foams or chemical flame retardants.
✔️ No vinyl or latex.
✔️ No odors or off-gassing.
✔️ Lightweight (approx. 13.3 lbs).
✔️ Ships completely flat.
❌ Cover is not waterproof.
❌ Zipper doesn't wrap around the full length, making re-installation tricky.
❌ Core material (corrugated fibre) is a bit mysterious.
Overall, the Love to Dream Gro mattress offers a very high-quality build with impressive safety specs and a lightweight design that makes sheet changes a breeze.
While the $299 price tag is on the higher end, the dual-sided nature and "Made in the USA" quality provide significant value for parents looking to avoid synthetic foams and chemicals.
Unboxing
The Love to Dream Gro arrived shipped completely flat, which we always prefer over "mattress-in-a-box" styles that require time to expand and off-gas.
It was sealed in a high-quality, zip-open plastic storage bag that is great for keeping the mattress clean if you need to store it between children.
Upon opening, there was absolutely no chemical odor or off-gassing.
We did notice some small strands of cotton/polyester left over from the manufacturing process, both on and under the cover, so we recommend a quick inspection before the first use.
The cover itself is a highlight, featuring an adorable stork design in the fabric and feels incredibly soft to the touch.
The stitching and zipper quality appear reasonably durable.
The Mattress Labels
The outer label highlights the 2-in-1 design, noting a natural cotton side for babies and an organic wool side for toddlers.
It also confirms the mattress is made in the USA and should be flipped at 12 months.
However, the government-mandated law label was a bit more technical, stating: "All new material consisting of wood frame covered with 100% corrugated fibre pad."
While "corrugated fibre" is a bit of a broad term, Love to Dream clarifies on their site that this is a breathable polymer fiber core designed to replace traditional foams.
Mattress Materials
Crib mattress materials can vary widely, ranging from polyurethane foam to innersprings, latex, and fiber cores. The Love to Dream Gro uses a relatively unique construction:
- Outer cover: Cotton-based fabric with a soft woven finish.
- Toddler side: Wool layer that adds slight cushioning and helps regulate temperature.
- Core: Corrugated polymer fiber structure designed to maximize airflow while maintaining firmness.
- Frame: Internal wood frame that helps maintain shape and edge support.
Fiber-core mattresses like this one are increasingly popular because they avoid polyurethane foam while still remaining lightweight and breathable.
Speaking of materials, let's talk about the mattress cover.
One downside is that the cover itself is not waterproof. While this improves breathability and avoids plastic layers, it does mean parents will likely want to use a thin waterproof mattress protector.
Fortunately, breathable crib mattress protectors are widely available and do not significantly affect airflow!
Dual-firmness
The Gro mattress is designed to grow with your child. To test this, we performed our standard compression test using an 8-pound dumbbell.
On the Infant Side, the weight only sank about 1cm. This is exactly what you want to see: a very firm, flat surface that minimizes the risk of suffocation and supports spinal development.
Notice how the weight doesn't sink deep into the mattress?
Exactly what we want to see!
On the Toddler Side, the weight sank deeper (about 2cm), indicating a plusher, more comfortable surface for older children who have better neck control and prefer a bit more "give" in their bed.
Breathability
Both the cover and the fiber core are designed for maximum airflow.
When we performed our "face-press" test, we found it very easy to breathe through the surface.
This breathability helps regulate temperature, preventing the "sweaty back" syndrome often found with traditional vinyl-covered foam mattresses.
It's important to note that breathability alone does not make a mattress "safe" for infants. Safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics still emphasize placing babies on their backs on a firm mattress with no loose bedding.
Crib Fit & Comfort
A snug fit is crucial for crib safety. We measured the Love to Dream Gro and found it to be 52.25" long, 27.75" wide, and 5.5" thick.
Here's the measured thickness:
In our test crib, the perimeter fit was excellent. We could barely fit a single finger between the mattress and the side rails, which is well within safety guidelines.
The edge support was also impressive; even at the corners, the mattress didn't sag or compress easily under pressure, even on the softer toddler side.
In terms of weight, at 13.36 lbs, it is much lighter than organic latex or innerspring mattresses.
This makes it much easier to lift and flip for sheet changes.
Safety and Sustainability
The Love to Dream Gro carries the Greenguard Gold certification, meaning it has been tested for thousands of chemical emissions and VOCs.
We love that it avoids polyurethane foams, chemical flame retardants, and vinyl, all common sources of off-gassing in cheaper mattresses.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The removable cover can be unzipped for spot cleaning.
Because the zipper does not fully wrap around the mattress, reinstalling the cover requires a little patience.
We recommend using a waterproof protector to minimize the need for frequent cleaning.
Pricing & Comparisons
At approximately $299, this is a premium investment.
However, given that it serves as two mattresses in one (infant and toddler) and is manufactured in the USA with high-quality materials, we believe it offers good long-term value for value- and health-conscious parents.
In terms of design philosophy, the Gro mattress sits somewhere between the ultra-breathable Newton crib mattress and more traditional organic mattresses like those from Naturepedic.
It focuses on airflow and natural materials while keeping the weight and price relatively moderate.
Our Conclusions
Who This Mattress Is Best For
- Parents looking to avoid polyurethane foam
- Families prioritizing breathability and airflow
- Those who want a lightweight mattress for easy sheet changes
- Buyers who prefer products made in the USA
The Love to Dream Gro crib mattress is a stellar option for parents who prioritize breathability and non-toxic materials.
It impressed us with its firmness levels, snug crib fit, and lightweight design. We also love that it's made right here in the USA!
While we wish the cover were waterproof, and the zipper were a bit longer for easier assembly, these are minor gripes compared to the overall quality of the product.
We give the Love to Dream Gro crib mattress a 4.2 out of 5.0!
