When it comes to your baby, every day is an opportunity to go green. Luckily, it's never been easier — or more affordable — to find eco-friendly and organic baby products that not only remove harmful chemicals and toxins from your home, but also help the planet, too. Because what better gift can you give your child than ensuring that they have a safe and clean world to grow up in? From the nursery to your diaper bag, check out these 30 simple product swaps to help give your little one a healthy and natural start. Baby Products for 2017 Independent Babies Love These Fun Bouncers Pregnancy Essentials and Maternity Must-Haves 10 Amazing Babymoon Locales Expectant Couples Can't Decide Between 10 Play Yards Your Kid Won't Want to Share Carry On: Stylish and Safe Baby Carriers of 2017 10 Toddler Beds You'll Wish Came in Your Size These Crib Mattresses Are Too Cute and Comfy to Pass Up 10 Best Safety Gates for Baby-Proofing Your Home Rub-a-Dub-Dub With These 20 Baby Bathtubs
16 Best Teethers for Babies Parents Are Obsessing Over These 15 Online Baby Stores Handcrafting the World’s Best Crib Mattresses since 1955 The three most important decisions expecting parents will make on behalf of their baby are: food, a car seat, and a crib mattress. Because a crib mattress is much more than a sleep surface, it’s a growth and development center. Our third generation, family-owned and operated company of craftsmen has been selling crib mattresses for over 60 years. Certified Safe and Made in the U.S.A. Top Selling Mattresses & Pads Eco Classica III Eco-Friendlier Crib Mattress The Colgate Eco Classica III is an expertly engineered dual-firmness crib mattress, packed with 6”... View full product details → EverTrue Diamond Crib Mattress The EverTrue™ Diamond is a lightweight, 6” thick, dual-firmness, eco-friendlier foam crib mattress is designed... Colgate Classica I Crib Mattress This is it – the most recognized foam crib mattress by name in America.
The EverTrue™ Cuddle, a 6" crib mattress that's part of Colgate's Total Safe Sleep System™ designed with... 2-N-1 Mattress Crib Mattress The Colgate 2-N-1 is a high-quality, dual-firmness crib mattress engineered to provide both the firmness... 33" x 16" x 4" / 2-Sided 33" x 16" x 4" / 3-Sided 30" x 16" x 4" / 3-Sided Colgate’s contour changing pad turns any flat surface into a baby changing station. Bassinet/Cradle Mattress - 18" x 36" x 2" Colgate’s 18 x 36 x 2” cradle pad mattress provides a firm, supportive sleep and... Colgate's Retro Posh crib mattress is throwback look from 1955, commemorating our company's 60th Anniversary and longstanding... View full product details →Originally published on September 4, 2015. Updated on August 10, 2016. By Megan Boyle, Editorial Director Your baby spends more than half the day sleeping, her face resting on the crib mattress.What is she breathing in? Those are the questions on the minds of parents everywhere – especially when they’re wondering which crib mattress is best for their child.
Disturbingly, researchers have detected harmful phthalates, fire retardants and volatile organic chemicals in mattresses made specifically for babies. One study done at the University of Texas at Austin found that the mattresses tested released nearly 30 different types of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, as well as a variety of fragrance allergens. Thanks to consumer demand, manufacturers are working to make mattresses safer – firm enough and properly sized to avoid trapped limbs. They are also removing some harmful chemicals and using alternative methods to meet fire safety standards. If you’re in the market for a crib mattress for your baby, follow these tips to find one with fewer chemicals: The top priority is clean air. VOCs are potentially hazardous gases that can escape from mattress foam and into the air a baby is breathing. VOCs escape from the polyurethane foam and glues used in a mattress. To limit these pollutants, look for a Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, certified organic mattress, which will be verified to have the least potential for VOC emission.
Two other certifications, Green Guard Gold and CertiPur, set maximum levels for VOC off-gassing. Green Guard applies to the entire product, while CertiPUR only applies to the polyurethane foam. Unfortunately, Green Guard’s most stringent standard, Green Guard Select, was discontinued, leaving only the weaker Gold standard in place. It is best to air out any new mattress because VOC levels decline notably after a couple days. However, other chemicals may linger. GOTS prohibits the use of phthalates in mattresses, while Green Guard and CertiPur set limits on the most commonly used phthalates. Avoid flame retardant chemicals. The foam interior of a mattress may contain added flame retardant chemicals, such as halogenated fire retardants and antimony. Nowadays, new crib mattresses are unlikely to have added chemical flame retardants in the foam, but check with the manufacturer to make sure. If the information is not readily available on the company’s website, call customer service.
All mattresses must have a fire-resistant outer covering, but manufacturers can use safer materials such as wool or plant starch to ensure fire safety.If you’re purchasing a product that advertises organic cotton or wool, look for the GOTS label to ensure this claim has been verified. If price is an issue, you could pair a new organic mattress with a recycled crib.*For babies, a waterproof covering makes sense. Avoid mattresses covered with PVC plastic, which can contain harmful ingredients. Look for polyethylene or thermoplastic polyurethane film covers instead. If you purchase a non-waterproof mattress, you can purchase a non-vinyl cover to be placed under the crib sheet. And skip covers that claim to be antibacterial – they are an unnecessary chemical exposure. *A note about used mattresses To lower costs and reduce waste, some families choose to purchase or borrow used mattresses. This has benefits as well as risks. The amount of chemicals released by a mattress declines over time, so a mattress that has had years to air out may result in much lower exposure for your baby.