homemade cradle mattress?

[sweetirishCT]

Has anyone ever attempted to make a cradle mattress? or could anyone give me input on things to consider? My father made a beautiful cradle when my first was born, but i could never find a mattress to *quite* fit right. so i stuffed the gaps with tightly rolled receiving blankets. Our next is due in Dec, and figure i can make a mattress in plenty of time before then.

ideas, mamas?
thanks!
~kat

[WC_hapamama]

Most fabric stores carry high density foam that you can get cut to size. I'd buy some of that, cut it down to about 1/4"-1/2" smaller the the bottom of the cradle, wrap it in a layer or two of batting, and then cut down waterproof mattress cover and make a cover for it all.

[isras1]

I am using a heirloom bassinet (I was calling it a cradle, but its size makes it a bassinet) and I too need a mattress. I want to make my own, but haven't found a way to do it, besides using high-density foam. Not sure how much that foam will off gas but I felt better when I read that you can make layers over the foam that will slow/stop any off-gassing. So I plan to air out the foam for several days and then layer it with organic/natural cotton batting and then make a wool soaker pad layer and a slipcover for the mattress.

OR, you can buy one from:
Colgate mattresses with different sizes
Crib parts and replacement pads

I've noticed that the pads for cradles or bassinets are really thin (traditionally they are), so if I do buy a mattress, I plan to make a slipcover for the mattress (pattern above) with a padded top to it (using quilting batting) and then place a wool soaker pad on top for waterproof protection.

Hope some of this helps you, good luck!

[jgale]

I made a mattress for a cradle that we had. I felt weird about using the foam you can buy at fabric stores--wasn't comfortable with the chemicals. So I bought several packs of cotton quilt batting and folded them to the dimensions I wanted the mattress to be. Then I wrapped the folded layers in muslin and sewed it down and then used a big needle to 'tuft' them (sew through all layers and tie knots). Kind of like a futon mattress. I made a cover for it as well. I can probably find a picture if you want to see one.

It was perhaps a little softer than was ideal for a baby, but she was always laying on her back in it so I felt it was safe enough.