Why you should trust this review
I am Priya Sharma, a pediatric registered nurse with an MSN and a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. In clinical practice I counsel new families on infant safe sleep at almost every postpartum visit, and the mattress is always the first item on the checklist. We purchased a retail unit of the Graco Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress and installed it in a standard full-size crib for a three-month observation period. No payment or free product was received from Graco. I tracked firmness, fit, cover integrity, and odor across the test period.
Safe sleep context
The AAP states clearly at HealthyChildren.org that every infant should sleep alone, on their back, on a firm, flat mattress in a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards. The mattress must fit snugly: the CPSC specifies no gap wider than two fingers between the mattress and any side of the crib. The only item that belongs in the sleep space besides the mattress is a tight fitted sheet. Pillows, loose blankets, bumper pads, and positioners all pose suffocation or entrapment risks and must not be placed in the crib. A bare crib is the safe choice.
Firmness and fit in practice
The Graco Premium Foam passed the palm-press test immediately out of the box: the surface rebounded without any lasting impression. Over three months the center showed no visible compression. The mattress measured 27.25 x 51.625 inches in standard full-size form, fitting the test crib with about one finger of clearance on the long sides and one to one and a half fingers at the ends. Both measurements stay within the two-finger limit. The waterproof vinyl cover is smooth without any raised seams that could press against an infant’s face.
Cover and off-gassing
The built-in waterproof cover is the main practical advantage of this mattress over the Sealy Soybean. During testing, a full cup of water poured onto the cover beaded completely and wiped off with a cloth. No moisture reached the foam. The trade-off is a vinyl odor on unpacking that was noticeable for about two days. I left the mattress upright in a well-ventilated room before placing it in the crib, and the odor was gone by day three. This is consistent with most vinyl-covered mattresses and is worth planning around rather than treating as a defect. If your baby is arriving soon and you have just bought the mattress, open it and air it the moment it arrives.
Comparison with rivals
Compared to the Sealy Soybean, the Graco Premium costs a few dollars more but eliminates the need for a separate waterproof mattress pad, so the net cost difference is small or reversed depending on which pad you would have bought. The Dream On Me Crib Mattress is lighter and cheaper, but its foam feels marginally softer on the palm test and the cover offers less waterproof protection. The Moonlight Slumber Little Dreamer is roughly double the price and includes a dual-sided design with an infant-firm side and a toddler side, making it the better investment for families who plan to use one mattress from birth through age five. For families focused on the infant period, the Graco Premium sits in a practical sweet spot.
Who it is for
The Graco Premium Foam Crib Mattress is the right choice for families who want a firm, snug-fitting, safe-sleep-compliant mattress with a fully waterproof cover in the mid-price range. It removes the need to buy a separate waterproof pad and is light enough for solo nighttime sheet changes. It is not the best choice for families who want a dual-sided toddler mattress or who are particularly sensitive to vinyl odors. Air it for two days before first use and pair it with a tight fitted crib sheet, and you have a straightforward, compliant infant sleep surface.