When you are expecting a new baby, shopping for a crib and mattress can be very exciting. But it can also be stressful, once you become aware of the problems surrounding conventional mattress production. Many contain toxic materials such as fire retardants, plasticizers, polyurethane foam, and vinyl (PVC) that have been linked to problems with child development.There is also a theory that SIDS is caused by the toxic chemicals released by conventional crib mattresses. When a normally harmless household fungus (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis) comes into contact with the elements of phosphorous, arsenic, or antimony that have been found in chemical fire retardants in mattresses, it can generate extremely poisonous gases that are far more toxic than carbon monoxide. (Read more about it here.)New Zealand has been wrapping many of its conventional crib mattresses to seal in the toxic chemicals since 1995 and has noticed a 72 percent reduction in SIDS. The campaign, spearheaded by Dr. T.J. Sprott, has seen nearly 205,000 babies sleeping on wrapped mattresses with no deaths, while crib deaths on unwrapped mattresses were reported to be 975 in the same time period.
So it’s definitely a worthwhile investment to buy a ‘clean’ crib mattress for your new baby. If that’s too expensive, then consider purchasing a BabySafe Mattress Cover, which is the non-toxic plastic ‘bag’ used by Dr. Sprott.As a follow-up to my recent post about VOCs emitted from foam crib mattresses, here is a list of alternative green mattresses for your baby:Perfect for really young babies, this mattress is handmade using organic cotton and premium wool batting. It contains no fire retardants, synthetic fabrics, or petrochemical-based plastics. The 14-person company that makes this mattress uses sustainable practices such as permaculture (i.e. leftover materials are composted by worms) and ensures zero waste of manufacturing byproducts. Available online through Organic Lifestyle.This mattress features a core made of renewable and sustainable plant foam and organic cotton batting. Its cover is also organic cotton for breathability. One side is firmer than the other, making it better for infants;
then you can flip it over to the softer side as your baby grows into a toddler. Made in the U.S., this crib mattress contains organic cotton filling with springs to provide firm support. It has no wool or latex, for customers with allergy concerns. The waterproof model contains a non-toxic, food-grade polyethylene surface. Naturepedic uses a naturally-derived fire retardant formula made of baking soda, silica, and cellulose fiber from eucalyptus. Stuffed with a combination of coconut coir and natural latex, this crib mattress is made in the U.S. It features a removable cover made of organic cotton and wool. The wool acts as a natural fire retardant and water barrier. This crib mattress is made from 4 inches of natural rubber wrapped in organic cheesecloth. The outer removable cover is made of organic cotton jersey fabric. Obasan makes all its products in Ottawa, Canada, and sells them exclusively in store or over the phone. All products are described in detail on their website.Nook is a natural mattress company based in southern California.
Its Pebble Pure crib mattress is made with an organic coconut core layered with natural latex foam and organic wool (sourced from local farmers). The covering is made of breathable eucalyptus fibre infused with zinc, which is a non-toxic microbe resister, and organic cotton. ships to U.S. and Canada.This is the only crib that contains memory foam, except that this is entirely natural foam, made using hevea milk (rubber tree sap). The company describes it as “the memory foam we all know and love, but it’s made without the gunk.” The mattress contains no plastics, vinyl, or chemically treated fabrics, and using Kevlar fabric to pass flammability tests. The outside is made of organic cotton. Handmade in Devon, England, this mattress is stuffed entirely with organic coconut coir, which comes from coconut husks and is very breathable and supportive. It is wrapped in lambswool with a washable cotton cover. Also available are natural latex and mohair-filled crib mattresses. See here for a list of retailers in the U.S.If you have a generous budget to spend on an organic crib mattress, this one comes highly reviewed online.
The 6-inch mattress contains 280 coils, making it firm, supportive, and entirely non-allergenic. The covering, padding, insulator pads, and binding tape are all made of 100% organic cotton. It is handcrafted in the U.S. and is available online. Latex foam mattresses conform to the body nearly as well as memory-foam types, but are much easier to move around on and less likely to produce an unpleasant odor when new. Owners also find them slightly better for lovemaking, although not quite as good at isolating motion as memory foam. Some sources describe natural latex as more breathable than memory foam and, therefore, less likely to retain heat. In addition, latex does not have the problems with off-gassing and odors that some worry about with memory foam mattresses. You can also flip most latex mattresses, either side-to-side or head-to-foot, which may help them both last longer and retain their comfort longer. Latex beds aren't as widely available in mattress showrooms as other types of mattresses, and there aren't as many online reviews.
The only brand of latex mattress that gets a significant number of strong reviews is our Best Reviewed pick, the Ikea Latex Mattress (Est. $300 and up) line. , ratings for Ikea latex models are above average compared to all mattresses. However, many latex mattresses can be hard to find for personal testing, whereas, Ikea stores are relatively common, so the mattresses can easily be tested before purchasing. Ikea latex mattresses tend to be thinner than other brands, which may certainly explain the lower price point since not as much material is involved, and some owners say they feel too firm. Overall, though, they get very good reviews for comfort. One challenge in analyzing latex mattress reviews is that it's not always clear whether reviewers are commenting about mattresses using all-natural latex, synthetic latex, or a combination of latex and springs. note that one of the reasons Ikea's latex offerings are relatively inexpensive is that "less expensive dunlop-processed latex and synthetic latex are often used as opposed to more expensive talalay-processed and natural latex."
Ikea carries three different lines of latex mattresses, and they are a combination of natural and synthetic. Ikea doesn't generally market its mattresses with foundations, since many are designed to go on platform beds like the ones that company sells, so keep that need in mind when considering an Ikea mattress. , is another highly rated latex mattress that is a hybrid of natural latex and a polyurethane foam base. Owners say it's extremely comfortable, soft yet supportive, and is a great value for the price. It comes in two firmness choices, medium or firm, and it seems to be somewhat more popular with those who like a firmer mattress. Some who found it too firm added a softer mattress topper and are very pleased with the result. It also gets good reviews from those who suffer from back pain; quite a few reviewers say it provided good relief and they wake up pain free. If you don't know what type of firmness you want -- or if your preference change with your mood -- we recommend taking a look at the Roma All Latex Mattress (Est. $500 and up) by Sleep EZ.
The Roma is firm on one side, medium on the other. If you feel like you need a firmer or softer surface, just flip it. Some say it's too firm even on the medium side, but experts say that latex tends to feel firmer than other mattress materials, so that's to be expected. Also, you can always add a mattress topper. For those looking for a "greener" mattress, experts recommend the OrganicPedic by OMI . These eco-friendly mattresses feature all-natural, sustainably sourced materials, including 100 percent natural rubber latex, organic cotton, and the company's own version of wool, called Ecowool. They are one of the few "organic" mattresses that are certified for meeting the most stringent qualifications of the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). Some of OMI's mattresses have latex layers that owners can customize to suit their firmness preferences. While OMI mattresses are also pricier than non-latex or other natural latex mattresses, they are a superior choice if you're serious about an eco-friendly choice.