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. Visit our Showroom | Crib Natural Mattress- Latex Crib Natural Mattress- Spring Child's Happy Lamb Fleece Organic Duvet Covers- Crib Size Organic Sheets- Crib Fitted Organic Sheets- Crib USA GrownFor more information about our Purity, check out our 'About Us' section in the upper left hand corner of our website.Each Crib Mattress comes with a 5 year fixed 5 year prorated warranty against manufacturer defects.The absolute safest crib baby mattresses you’ll find on the market are made from plant-based materials that were grown without the use of pesticides. The plant fibers would not have been treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process. And the final product (including the mattress’s core, padding and cover) also would not have been treated with chemicals.
Instead of chemicals, natural materials would be used to comply with fire safety regulations, resist bacteria and water-proof the mattress from sweat, urine and saliva. One issue with truly safe crib mattresses is that they can be prohibitively expensive for many parents. If a healthier crib mattress isn’t in the budget, consider asking close friends & coworkers to chip in toward a collective baby shower gift. Another option is to buy the safer crib mattress second-hand or accept one from a friend, who no longer needs it. However if you do, please be aware there are some important issues to consider with used crib mattresses. A second issue is that parents can be mislead into thinking some crib mattresses are safer for their baby and the environment than they really are. Parents should be aware that crib mattresses claiming to be safe and healthy, sometimes are not. In a misguided attempt to make “natural crib mattresses” more affordable, manufacturers will often create just the core of the mattress from natural materials… but then use petroleum-based fabrics to cover and pad the mattress.
They may also use chemicals, rather than safe and natural solutions, to address flammability, water-proofing and bacteria resistance. These manufacturers may label their seemingly safer product with deceiving buzzwords such as “eco”, “green”, “healthy” or “non-toxic”. And they can do this legally, because there are are no standards or regulations to define what these terms mean. If you find a crib mattress that claims to be made from natural materials, check that it is also covered in wool, rather than dipped in chemicals, to address fire safety regulations. Parents concerned with bacteria buildup from sweat, saliva or urine should look for a mattress core that addresses waterproofing with natural latex rubber, which comes from the rubber tree. If the label says synthetic latex rubber (or sometimes just “latex”), then it is made from petroleum and is not the healthiest or most eco alternative. If it’s in the budget, opt for mattresses that are certified organic to ensure the natural materials that went into the mattress were not grown with pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Just because the label states that a chemical is “not known” to be dangerous, does not mean that it safe. It just means that it has not yet been tested. For example, several chemical fire retardants have been phased out in response to consumer demand or because they have been banned by the government. However, many of these fire retardants have been replaced by other toxic chemicals that have not yet been tested and therefore not yet proven to be unsafe. Densely woven wool is a natural fire retardant and does not require added chemicals. While rare, some babies are allergic to wool. Natural latex foam comes from the rubber tree and is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, bacteria, and mites. While rare, some babies are allergic to natural latex. (Do not confuse natural latex with synthetic latex. Synthetic latex is made from petroleum.) Conventional cotton (i.e. not organic) is heavily sprayed with pesticides. Choose organic cotton if you can. Boric acid or silica is sometimes added to wool mattresses and may not be listed on the label, so be sure to ask.
These natural additives are safer than chemicals, but may cause temporary eye or respiratory irritation. Most bamboo fabrics on the market are not a natural alternative. Turning durable bamboo into a soft material requires such heavy processing, that it is mostly synthetic by the time it has become a fabric. If the label says the bamboo has been processed “mechanically” (or is labeled as “bamboo linen”), then it is a safer and more eco-friendly alternative. However bamboo linen is expensive, so most bamboo fabrics on the market today are chemically produced. Soybean foam is not a natural alternative. It is primarily a petroleum-based foam that has been partially replaced with some soy product. Just because a label lists a chemical that is “not known” to be dangerous, does not mean that it safe. It just means that it has not yet been tested. Unless the mattress specifically says 100% organic, an organic mattresses may still be covered in synthetic materials or treated with chemicals.