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. Check the website’s product description or ask the salesperson when buying in-store to be sure. Both Greenguard and GOTS certifications are fairly comprehensive in regards to harmful chemicals and are highly regarded. GOTS is the most robust certification available for crib mattresses and covers the final product, the methods and chemicals in manufacturing, and the safety of workers throughout the production process. Avoid Toxins Organic Sleep
Babble participates in affiliate commission programs, including with Amazon, which means that we receive a share of revenue from purchases you make from the links on this page. I have been busy over the past few months getting the house ready for a new baby. I’ve been doing deep cleaning and organizing, and making sure the kids’ rooms are updated so they don’t feel left out and purchasing all those must-have items for our new bundle of joy, like a baby carrier and a swing. With just over a month left until baby boy comes into the world, we have finished all the big purchases and many of the smaller house projects. We didn’t get a crib, though. And that wasn’t an oversight. When our last child was born almost 5 years ago. we bought a crib and had it set up in our bedroom. When our baby was born, we used a small in-bed co-sleeper to facilitate the early weeks of breastfeeding, and as time went on, that crib in our bedroom went unused. It was more of a large laundry hamper than a sleep location for our daughter who continued to happily (and safely) sleep away in our bed.
When we were planning what purchases we needed to make for our upcoming baby, we quickly checked crib off the list because we knew that, just like last time, it would go unused. We’ve bought a safe in-bed co-sleeper for those early weeks as well as a bedside bassinet for when we want some space or for when he’s older and needs a nap without mommy. We plan to co-sleep with this baby as we did with our youngest for as long as it makes sense for us (which was about three years with our daughter). We will continue to transition the sleeping to make it safer for different ages and stages, but we’ve realized that the traditional crib we’re all told is a “must-have” item for a new baby is really not at all a “must-have.” If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional crib for whatever reason, be it safety, price, or parental practice, there are some great alternatives that you can choose from! Browse this round-up, and you’re bound to find an option that perfectly suits your family.
All you need is a baby-proofed room and a mattress, and you can place your infant safely with no blankets or pillows either in their own room on in yours. Pros: You can use an older mattress you don’t have use for, can be used for a long time (my older kids, age 7 and 5, still sleep on theirs) Cons: You have to really make sure the room is baby-proofed, and, as they age, convincing them to stay in bed takes some time. Available from Amazon for $82.99 It’s what we used for all three of our children and have a similar one for this new baby when he’s born. It’s just a smaller bed you place in your bed to make bed-sharing safer. Pros: You can bed-share without having to worry too much more about rolling over onto the baby, thanks to the hard barrier sides. Cons: The baby outgrows quickly, and you really need to make sure you’re still following the bed-sharing safety guidelines. Available from Amazon for $35.96 I have never used one myself but can see them being really handy purchase if you’re not wanting a traditional crib, but looking for something to use before they’re a little bigger.
Pros: It’s very mobile-friendly, and you can watch your baby sleep or nap anywhere. Great for small spaces or smaller budgets. Cons: The baby outgrows quickly, and you’ll need to find another solution at after about 3 months. Available from Amazon for $34.69 It looks a lot like a crib, but it’s so much smaller, and with the benefit of the rocking motion it can be used as a all-time sleep solution or for when they’re taking their naps during the day. Pros: Smaller than a traditional crib and much more affordable. Cons: Can only be used for about 6 months before baby outgrows the weight guidelines. Available from Amazon for $158.99 You probably only think about a travel crib if you’re looking for a solution at Grandma’s house or if you’re on the go, but it can be a great alternative to a traditional crib at home. Pros: Light, travel-friendly, and grows well with your child. Cons: About as expensive as a traditional crib. Available from Amazon for $227.99
We have a Pack’n Play in our room set up for baby’s nap time or when we want a little more space in the bed. Also, it’s important for safety if you’re really tired (which happens with a newborn), and bed-sharing isn’t a good idea when you are. Pros: Much smaller than a traditional crib, can grow with your baby in stages, not as expensive, and it travels well. Cons: I don’t know of many cons other than that they can be a little tricky to put together, but likely not much more than a traditional crib. Available from Amazon for $62.47 It looks very similar to a Pack’n Play, but this one has a drop-down side in the front to make it line right up, safely, with your mattress. Pros: It makes it so much closer to bed-sharing without them being in your actual mattress. You can reach the baby for easy and quick feeds. Cons: Can only be used for about 5 months before the baby outgrows it. Also, you’ll need to buy an attachment if you’ve got a larger bed you need to match up to.
Available from Amazon for $154.99And no, it doesn’t make you a bad parent. In fact, Finnish babies don’t sleep in cribs when they’re first brought home because each family goes home from the hospital with a box for them to sleep in. You can read all about it to see I’m not making it up. Pros: Very affordable and you can get a larger size if you’ve got a longer baby. Can be easily replaced if broken or damaged. Cons: Baby will need to find an alternative solution when s/he’s a bit larger. Available from Amazon for $24.74 You don’t have to get any sleep solution for your infant other than your own bed. You can even combine it into the floor bed mentioned before. As long as you’re following the strict and important bed-sharing safety guidelines, it’s a good alternative to a crib. Pros:There is no cost other than your own bed, which you likely already have. It’s a great and simple way for the whole family to get sleep, and facilitates a strong breastfeeding relationship.