Our email newsletters keep you up to date with what’s happening on Babyology. We also have special newsletter-only offers and competitions that are exclusive to Babyology subscribers.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 Lemon Series - resolving non delivery Protect yourself from scams What is Pay Now? Why should I use it? Sale of tickets on Trade Me and scalping Freight Forwarding Scams – It’s a trap! Sold or bought a vehicle? Make sure the ownership has been changed What to do if we ask you for ‘proof of goods’ The Trade Me Team Trade Me Seller BlogEven if you choose to start out with a bassinet or a bedside sleeper, every baby eventually needs a crib. Here’s how to make sure baby sleeps safe and sound in his or hers, no matter when you introduce it. Make sure baby's room is well-ventilated, adding a fan to the space if necessary. Evidence shows this helps prevent SIDS. Err on the side of a cooler room — this promotes better respiratory stimulation in baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests keeping the room between 65 and 70 degrees. Keep baby’s crib or bassinet away from blinds or drapery, which are strangulation hazards.
Whatever product you buy should be safety certified by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association. Keep in mind that crib safety standards changed after June 28, 2011, when drop-side rail cribs were banned. Babies should always be put to bed on their backs—this is the safest position for SIDS prevention. While a soft, quilted mattress might sound comfy, it actually poses a suffocation risk for baby. Look for a firm mattress, which will also offer better support.If it’s shaky when you’re done or there are any leftover pieces you’re not quite sure what to do with, you missed or botched a step somewhere. Keep trying until you have a steady crib, and don’t be shy about using the customer service line. Make sure your crib is low enough to the ground so that you can reach in and get baby out without trouble. (The exact height that’s most appropriate depends on how tall you are.) This adjustment lets you lower the mattress as baby grows, so that she continues to be safe in the crib while keeping you from needing to reach down farther than necessary to pick her up.
Not all cribs include this feature, but it’s nice to have (as long as it’s easy to adjust correctly). Side bars no more than 2 3/8 inches apart (about the width of a soda can) will keep baby’s body from sliding out and getting stuck. For the same reason, avoid cribs with cutouts in the headboard or footboard. Anything higher than 1/16 of an inch is too high—baby’s clothing could get caught on it. Some cribs can later transform into toddler and even full-size beds. Just be sure you actually like how the product looks in its future form if you go this route. The mattress needs to fit tightly in the crib so that baby doesn’t accidentally get caught between the two. If you can get more than two fingers between the mattress and the sides of the crib, the mattress is too small. The only bedding baby needs is a waterproof pad and a soft, tightly fitted bottom sheet. Knit cotton, flannel and high-count woven cotton are good options for fabric. Make sure whatever you get is machine-washable, and buy a few extra of each so that you aren’t doing laundry every time baby spits up.
Wash the bedding before you first use it to remove any potential skin-irritating chemicals left over from the manufacturing process. After that, wash weekly or whenever baby spits up, pees or otherwise soils the bedding. Use a mild, unscented detergent. Unless baby is especially sensitive, you don’t need specialty baby soap. This lets you streamline the laundry process and use the same detergent for the whole family’s loads, eliminating the need to run special cycles for baby. Bumpers should not be in the crib because of safety hazards. According to guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics set in October 2011, crib bumpers do not protect against injury and actually pose a risk of suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Dust ruffles and bed skirts If you choose to go with these decorative items, make sure you still vacuum under baby’s bed frequently—dust mites are very irritating to babies. Wash the bed skirt once a month or so. Many moms swear by soothing products that clip onto the side rails of cribs like (play!) aquariums or sound machines.
Mobiles are also nice to hang above the crib, as long as they’re out of baby’s reach. These triangle-shaped devices that support babies on either side to them on their backs make some parents feel safer. But as of 2010, both the FDA and CPSC warned against using them in light of suffocation concerns. It’s especially important to check the safety measures of older cribs, whether they’re family heirlooms or from a resale shop, since safety standards changed in 2011. Check the hinges for stability, and look carefully for any sharp parts or protruding metal. Make sure the wood is smooth and splinter-free, and repaint any cracked or peeling paint. Check older cribs for lead paint, and stay on top of the CPSC's recall list. No blankets, pillows, toys, or stuffed animals should be in the crib—these all pose suffocation hazards. Keep baby warm with a swaddling blanket, layered clothing or an insulated sleep sack. Just make sure there’s nothing around the face or neck area.