Infant Car SeatsTravel System Car SeatsConvertible Car SeatsBooster Car SeatsCar Seat AccessoriesPremium Car SeatsCar Seat BasesStroller & Car Seat Toysshop our car seat deals of the dayWhen 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.Last updated: May 5, 2016. Best Crib Mattress: Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic Lightweight crib mattress—it’s a mouthful, but the name really says it all: this mattress is lightweight; organic and GREENGUARD certified. Worried about crib mattress safety? Wondering which mattress is right for you? Check out Crib Mattresses 101. Perfect for first-time parents and even old hands who need a refresher. We evaluate crib mattresses with hands-on inspections, reviews by our readers and online feedback. We do not accept free samples from manufacturers—if we purchase a mattress to review, we buy it from the same sources we recommend on this site (Amazon, stores, etc).
We also meet manufacturers in person at trade events and evaluate product samples and prototypes. We have been researching and writing about crib mattresses since 1994. With the advent of new foams and cover materials as well as interest in organic and natural mattresses, the options have greatly expanded for new parents. Our PickNaturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic Lightweight27.5″ x 52″ x 6Naturepedic’s No Compromise Organic Cotton Lightweight Classic mattress incorporates all the features we’re looking for in a crib mattress: light weight, no chemicals, waterproof cover, organic fabrics. $258.00* at Amazon* Prices change daily. Naturepedic’s owner Barry Cik got the idea for his company after a frustrating search for a crib mattress for his grandchild. Cik, an environmental engineer and hazardous material expert, was appalled at what he found on the market—crib mattresses made of petro-chemical foam, chemical fire retardants and more. “I knew all about vinyl/PVC, polyurethane foam, and the various chemicals contained in them and there was no way I was going to put my grandchild to sleep within a few inches of these chemicals” Cik said.
In 2004, Cik launched Naturepedic as a more natural alternative. The company has five goals for its crib mattresses: no harmful chemicals; natural, organic and renewable materials wherever possible; practical, easy to clean design; and third-party testing by GreenGuard to ensure they meet strict standards. Naturepedic offers four series of crib mattresses: lightweight, classic, ultra and quilted/2-in-1. Prices range from $260 to $289. The No Compromise Organic Cotton Lightweight Classic mattress is uniquely designed with closed-cell air pockets made from food-grade polyethylene (no polyethylene). Called Wavesupport, the pockets are created with a wave design as shown below: Here’s an actual photo of the Wavesupport as well: As a result, this mattress is half the weight of a traditional coil mattress. The cover is organic cotton fabric with a food grade polyethylene waterproof—making it both waterproof and dust mite/bed bug proof. Under the cover is another layer of organic cotton filling and there are no chemicals required to make it flame retardant.
Another plus, the mattress is seamless with waterproof edges. The No Compromise is GREENGUARD certified and the components are certified organic as well. This is Naturepedic’s best-selling model at $260; a dual-firmness model is $300. While these prices may seem high compared to other crib mattresses, it is substantially less than the competition in the organic mattress category. See below under Crib Mattress Competition. If you want a coil mattress, Naturepedic’s Organic Cotton Classic 150 coil mattress is our pick at $260. It’s made with organic cotton filling, a firm coil innerspring and the waterproof cover mentioned above. The No Compromise is not exactly the cheapest mattress on the market, but it is comparable (and somewhat less expensive than) other organic, chemical free options. In online reviews, some parents have complained their mattress sagged after only a short time. Other parents note that the measurement of the mattress was off and it was too small for their crib (leaving an unacceptable gap).
Naturepedic replaced those mattresses that had problems. Overall, the company’s customer service is good. Also GreatLullaby Earth Super Lightweight$169.00* at Amazon* Prices change daily. Lullaby Earth’s Super Lightweight mattress is a great option if you have a bit more money to spend. It is made of polyethylene foam (a non-toxic, food-grade foam that requires no fire retardant chemicals) and weighs just 6.5 lbs. Most other foam mattresses on the market are made of polyurethane. It features seamless edges and Greenguard-certification. Lullaby Earth’s Super Lightweight crib mattress is a good deal at $169—and Lullaby Earth is the more affordable division of Naturepedic. Same quality and environmental commitment. “All natural” crib mattresses similar to the No Compromise mattress include those made by Naturalmat, Greenbuds Baby, Natura, and Nook. Many of them are more expensive than the Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton ($400 and up in most cases), while others are missing key features like a waterproof cover (Natura and Nook, for example).