An apparatus and method of testing are provided to test the durability and resilience of crib mattresses and other child development surfaces. The testing apparatus is configured to provided a movable fixture for imparting repeated force to a mattress. The fixture can include a pair of feet formed thereon to mimic the pressure profile provided by a toddler standing or jumping on a crib mattress. The method provides for the cycling of the apparatus over a predetermined time period and the determination of the deflection of the surface after the time period.