Toddlers & PreschoolersSleepSleep BasicsMoving from Crib to Bed Here's how to make a smooth transition. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Google Plus Text EmailBetween picking out the perfect crib, the color palette and the coordinating items, planning your baby’s nursery is fun and full of choices. Yet one of the most important decisions many moms overlook is choosing a safe crib mattress that doesn’t contain toxic chemicals linked to asthma, allergies and cancer. Babies breathing in toxic chemicals Babies spend up to 14 hours a day sleeping. whether that’s in a crib, bassinet, co-sleeper, port-a-crib, portable play yard or a toddler bed. And research shows their mattress can be one of the most toxic places for them. A study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that 20 new and old crib mattresses containing polyurethane foam and polyester foam padding released significant amounts of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include the chemicals polyethylene, polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).
Plus, many manufacturers also use fragrance allergens in their mattresses. “[Babies] are volatile and they're most vulnerable when their lungs are developing,” said Kelly Herman, the program director for Healthy Child Healthy World a non-profit that is merged with the Environmental Working Group. Their goal is to educate parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. These chemicals can be found in crib mattresse because it’s too costly for manufacturers to remove them or find materials that are free of them, Herman said. Only 11 chemicals are regulated in the U.S.— compared to more than 14,000 that have been banned by the European Union— which means the burden to weed through all of the information is on parents. Tips for buying a safe crib mattress:Even if a mattress is labeled organic, manufacturers can use the claim, regardless of whether 100 percent of the material is truly organic or just one piece is. “When you have a label that says ‘organic,’ ‘green’ or ‘natural’ it really doesn’t mean a whole lot,” said Lori Popkewitz Alper, a Boston-based mom and founder/editor-in-chief of the green lifestyle blog Groovy Green Livin.
When searching for a mattress, look for those made with organic cotton, wool, and Oeko-Tex or Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifications. Then, call the manufacturer to verify what materials were used, why they consider it organic and if the mattress contains chemicals and fire retardants.To ensure a mattress has a low amount of VOCs, look for those with the Green Guard certification. “That certification is the gold standard,” Herman said. CertiPure is another standard but it allows for a higher level of VOCs.“Meets technical bulletin 117,” sounds like a seal of approval, but this label, which can be found on organic mattresses too, actually means the product contains harmful fire retardant chemicals.Waterproof mattresses are usually covered in plastics that contain VOCs so it’s best to avoid them. Instead, look for an organic waterproof mattress pad or waterproof non-vinyl waterproof cover. 9 ways to detox your home How healthy is your bedroom?
10 ways to rid your body of toxic chemicals Steer clear of used mattresses. Although it’s cost-efficient, an older mattress— especially one made before 2009— can contain phthalates and other chemicals.If you already own a mattress that you’re unsure about, or you’re not satisfied with the manufacturer’s response, air out the mattress for a few days or even weeks before your baby is born. Julie Revelant is a health journalist and a consultant who provides content marketing and copywriting services for the healthcare industry. She's also a mom of two. Best Crib Mattress 2016 . Find our Crib Mattress reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you buy the right mattress for your baby. So you’re building a warm, fuzzy and safe nursery for the new little member of your family and if we’re being honest then buying mattresses is not one of the most exciting things in the world. However, it is important to pick one that is safe and comfortable because your baby is going to spend up to 16 hours in that crib.
Moreover, the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development reported that using a hard mattress instead of a soft one helps in preventing SIDS (Suddent Infant Death Syndrome). I would strongly recommend you to stay away from cheap mattresses and go for something that is not only comfortable but is designed to help with the development of your baby and to keep him/her safe. To make this cumbersome job of searching through thousands of options, we’ve done the hard work and shortlisted it to the best 5 crib mattresses that aren’t only comfortable but offer the required support for the right development of your baby’s growing bones. The mattress we love. Despite the fact that this company shares the name with the famous toothpaste brand, Colgate is one of the best brands when it comes to foam crib mattresses. It offers dual firmness i.e. one side is more firm than the other. The amount of firmness that is suitable for an infant is more than what’s suitable for a toddler and thus this is one feature that you’ll find common in most high quality mattresses.
The mattress cover is made of 100% cotton which is great for your baby’s skin, while the inner part of the mattress is made of plant-based foam. The Eco Classica III weighs around 10 lbs which makes it easy to clean and change sheets. All in all, I think it’s currently the best foam mattress in the market and being one of the rare mattresses that has GREENGUARD children and schools certification, it is one of the most comfy and safe mattresses for your baby. Naturepedic No Compromise is probably the only innerspring mattress that you’ll see us recommending. It is a perfect 150 coils plus mattress with the recommended edge support. This is the most expensive option in our listing. However, the price is definitely justified by the fact that it is the only mattress that is 100% organic cotton both at the inside and the outside. Free from any kind of nasty chemicals that are used during the production of most mattresses, if you can afford it, then this is probably the best crib mattress that you can buy for your baby.
The mattress offers dual firmness which makes it a suitable mattress as your baby grows from an infant to a toddler, as the amount of firmness should be decreased with age. The mattress covers are waterproof and easy-clean which makes sure that the sanitation can be maintained over the years. However, the mattress weighs around 17 lbs and if you’re planning to change the sheets yourself, it can get tiresome when done frequently. Another great dual firmness mattress at a not-so-great price. While it is not 100% organic, they’ve done their best in bringing us a mattress that is vinyl, polyethylene, PVC and phthalates free. The mattress is also CentiPUR certified which verifies that no flame-retardant or toxic chemicals were used during the manufacturing process. The mattress is water-proof and can be easily wiped off with a wet cloth. The Moonlight Slumber has been one of the rare mattresses that have been received very well by moms like you. If you’re not really planning to spend more on your baby’s mattress then this is the best option you can go for.
Another great mattress in the mid-range category. Cotton Bliss is as healthy and safe as they get. While the mattress comes with a 100% cotton cover that compares well with the most premium mattresses that we’ve come across, it is not 100% organic. The foam is 73% polyurethane, which most concerned parents would generally avoid. The mattress is free from plastic coatings like PVC or food-grade polyethylene. The mattress is waterproof and stain-resistant which makes it easy to clean and maintain a safe sleeping environment for your baby. It measures the standard 51.6 x 27.2 x 5 inches which is a snug fit for most cribs. This mattress is built to be extra firm with high density foam; By any means, It’s not the best mattress out there but it is definitely the best bang for your buck. The cover isn’t cotton but is 100% polyester, waterproof and easy to clean. Since it’s a foam mattress, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. The mattress is designed t to exceed the federal flammability and CPSC standards (Consumer Product Safety Commission Standards).
However, the low cost comes at a price. First, the mattress does not offer a dual firmness and thus is only suitable for your baby as long as he/she is an infant and you’ll probably have to get a new one as they grow. Secondly, you’ll have to settle for polyester instead of 100% cotton. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, if you can afford to spend a little more then I would personally recommend you to get one that is 100% cotton. There are two types of mattresses that you can choose from i.e. Foam and Innerspring. There isn’t an inherent benefit of choosing one over the other and it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. As the name suggests, these are made from foam but do not take it on face value. Foam mattresses are as comfortable as they come. They are comparatively lighter and affordable when compared to Innerspring mattresses and both of these could be the deciding factors when making the purchase.The more dense and firm it is, the better.
However, the weight of the mattress tends to increase with its density and heavy mattresses can be a hassle to change crib sheets, so make sure that you get something that is firm and dense but light enough that you can handle it with ease. Foam mattresses that weigh around 8-10 lbs are a good fit and offer the best of both worlds. Innerspring mattresses have springs or coils in them and when considering the same quality grade these are generally more expensive and heavier than foam mattresses. There’s no particular benefit of getting a innerspring mattress over a foam one. However, if you do decide on buying one, here are a few things that you need to look for: 1. Coils : While a lot of people have a misconception that more coils results in a better mattress. This is generally not the case. As per consumer repots, a mattress with 135-150 coils with a gauge of 15.5 or lower is a good option to go with. 2. Border Rods : They keep the mattress firm when your baby walks near the edges and thus is a feature that your mattress should have.
All in all, If I were you, I’d go for a foam mattress just because it is cheaper and easier to use/clean than an innerspring mattress. What to look for when buying a Mattress? You would want to compare your last 2-3 options closely and here’s a basic set of features and details that you need to look for when buying 1. Mattress size : Make sure that the size of your mattress matches the crib. This is a small detail that is often ignored and while you can always return the mattress for the right size, it can be easily avoided by making sure of it the first time itself. The crib mattresses generally range from 27 5/8″ to 28 5/8″ wide & 51 3/4″ to 53″ in length. 2. It HAS to be firm : Read reviews, check the product description and if you’re in the shop, just squeeze it between your arms to test. You have to make sure that the mattress is firm, it is critical to your babies’ development and quality of sleep. 3. Waterproof and Machine Washable Cover : While all of our recommendations have waterproof covers that are machine friendly.