There are many sleep options for today's newborns, including Moses baskets, bassinets, cradles and cribs. With each option, it's very important for the health of the infant to consider all safety aspects of the bed, from bedding and blankets to bumpers and mattress quality. Bassinets offer parents the convenience of having baby at bedside in the early weeks of life, as well as mobility a crib can't provide. There are currently a plethora of bassinets in every price range on the market. While price is a consideration, the safety of the mattress is far more important. Mattress SafetyAccording to Baby Center's Medical Advisory Board, a bassinet mattress should fit tightly into the bassinet. If more than two fingers fit between the mattress and the side of the bed, the mattress is too loose and constitutes a hazard. The most important quality for a baby's mattress to possess is firmness. The mattress shouldn't be too soft. It shouldn't be too thick, either, because a thick mattress will raise a sleeping baby closer to the edge of the bassinet, which might be dangerous.
Mattress DangersA bassinet mattress that is too loose inside the frame of the bed poses the threat that, should an infant roll to the side, she could become wedged in the space between and possibly suffocate. A soft mattress increases the danger of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. According to Dr. James Kemp, assistant professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University School of Medicine, the best way to avoid SIDS is to place a sleeping baby on a firm mattress on her back. General Bassinet SafetyOutside of a snug-fitting, firm mattress, there are other important safety considerations for bassinet owners. If on wheels, the bassinet wheel should be kept in the locked position when not actually being moved--especially if there are other children around. If the bassinet is an older model, it should not have a coat of lead paint on it, nor should it have any wood or wicker splinters. If on a stand, it should sit on the stand securely. Other ConsiderationsFoam mattresses are another safe option for bassinets, as long as they are made of high-density foam that is at least 10 centimeters thick.
Bassinets come in many sizes and shapes, and it's possible, especially with a secondhand or heirloom one, that a suitable mattress can't be found. In such cases, one can be cut from high-density foam in the proper, tight-fitting dimensions. Just measure the depth, length and width (at the widest point) of the bassinet, being sure to take into account the shape of the corners. , the usability of a bassinet is short-lived. Once a baby can roll over or even pull himself up, the bassinet has become unsafe, as it's small and its sides have insufficient height relative to a baby crib. This could mean a bassinet must be exchanged for a crib sometime between a baby's fourth and sixth month of life--or earlier, depending on his rate of development. If the bassinet is someday used for another baby, a new mattress should be purchased.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.