Between picking out the perfect crib, the color palette and the coordinating items, planning your baby’s nursery is fun and full of choices. Yet one of the most important decisions many moms overlook is choosing a safe crib mattress that doesn’t contain toxic chemicals linked to asthma, allergies and cancer. Babies breathing in toxic chemicals Babies spend up to 14 hours a day sleeping. whether that’s in a crib, bassinet, co-sleeper, port-a-crib, portable play yard or a toddler bed. And research shows their mattress can be one of the most toxic places for them. A study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that 20 new and old crib mattresses containing polyurethane foam and polyester foam padding released significant amounts of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include the chemicals polyethylene, polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Plus, many manufacturers also use fragrance allergens in their mattresses.
“[Babies] are volatile and they're most vulnerable when their lungs are developing,” said Kelly Herman, the program director for Healthy Child Healthy World a non-profit that is merged with the Environmental Working Group. Their goal is to educate parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. These chemicals can be found in crib mattresse because it’s too costly for manufacturers to remove them or find materials that are free of them, Herman said. Only 11 chemicals are regulated in the U.S.— compared to more than 14,000 that have been banned by the European Union— which means the burden to weed through all of the information is on parents. Tips for buying a safe crib mattress:Even if a mattress is labeled organic, manufacturers can use the claim, regardless of whether 100 percent of the material is truly organic or just one piece is. “When you have a label that says ‘organic,’ ‘green’ or ‘natural’ it really doesn’t mean a whole lot,” said Lori Popkewitz Alper, a Boston-based mom and founder/editor-in-chief of the green lifestyle blog Groovy Green Livin.
When searching for a mattress, look for those made with organic cotton, wool, and Oeko-Tex or Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifications. Then, call the manufacturer to verify what materials were used, why they consider it organic and if the mattress contains chemicals and fire retardants.To ensure a mattress has a low amount of VOCs, look for those with the Green Guard certification. “That certification is the gold standard,” Herman said. CertiPure is another standard but it allows for a higher level of VOCs.“Meets technical bulletin 117,” sounds like a seal of approval, but this label, which can be found on organic mattresses too, actually means the product contains harmful fire retardant chemicals.Waterproof mattresses are usually covered in plastics that contain VOCs so it’s best to avoid them. Instead, look for an organic waterproof mattress pad or waterproof non-vinyl waterproof cover. 9 ways to detox your home How healthy is your bedroom?
10 ways to rid your body of toxic chemicals Steer clear of used mattresses. Although it’s cost-efficient, an older mattress— especially one made before 2009— can contain phthalates and other chemicals.If you already own a mattress that you’re unsure about, or you’re not satisfied with the manufacturer’s response, air out the mattress for a few days or even weeks before your baby is born. Julie Revelant is a health journalist and a consultant who provides content marketing and copywriting services for the healthcare industry. She's also a mom of two. Memory Foam Crib Mattress Topper with Waterproof Cover – Designed to provide ultimate comfort – Ventilated to regulate sleep temperature for maximum support and comfort – Fits perfectly into cribs – Measures 51.5″ x 27″ x 2″ The Crib Memory Foam Mattress Topper is designed to provide the perfect blend of comfort and support for your little one. The Memory Foam follows the curves of your child’s body, providing maximum support, and it’s ventilated to prevent overheating at night.
It’s an easy way to add luxurious comfort to your current crib mattress. The waterproof cover protects the topper from spills and leaks, and can be used as is, or with a crib sheet. Made to last, this topper is double sided and will not flatten out over time. 52″ x 27″ x 2″ 100% organic cotton, inside and out, our crib mattress pad sets the perfect foundation on top of the mattress and under a crib fitted sheet. Finished with two-inch quilted squares and a 220 percale covering. Free of chemical finishes and flame retardants, GOTS certified. Tip from the experts: Never underestimate the value of a good mattress pad. It will extend the life of your mattress dramatically by helping to fend off spills, stains, sweat and skin oils. We recommend washing your mattress pad monthly. Our cotton is 100% organic, and sourced and woven in India. For standard shipping, most in-stock items ship within 3 business days of ordering. All packages ship from Hayward, CA*, so please account for transit time to your address.
Expedited orders of in-stock items ship within 24 hours. Shipping within United States: We offer FedEx Ground Home Delivery, FedEx 2-day, and FedEx Standard Overnight. Our shipping rates are based on weight and distance. For overnight shipping: Please select FedEx Standard Overnight and order by 10am PST to ensure next day delivery. Orders shipping to AK and HI destinations can ship USPS or FedEx. : Orders shipping to P.O. Box and APO destinations will ship via USPS. * Please note that mattresses, bed frames and headboards ship separately. Naturally Safer® Pure Wool Moisture Protector Pad — Crib Naturally Safer® Pure Wool Underbed Pad — Crib Certified Organic Flannel Mattress Pad — Crib GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton Dust-Mite & Bed-Bug Mattress Barrier Cover - 6 Inch — Crib Reduce your baby's exposure to bed bugs, dust mites, and allergensThere's nothing that ruins the feeling of just-cleaned sheets like realizing that your protective mattress pad is looking a little... yellow.
We all know you're supposed to wash your sheets every one or two weeks, but what about this pesky thing under your sheets? Our expert is here to share her wisdom.But first things first, when we say mattress pad, we mean a traditional protective covering like this. Pillowy toppers are a different story since they come in so many varieties (consult the care label for the best washing instructions), and the foam versions can't be washed at all. You'll want to replace your topper when they're not comfortable or supportive anymore.But here's the scoop on mattress pads:"It's only necessary to wash your mattress pad several times per year," says Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "Sheets generally take more wear and tear than a mattress pad which is why they are washed more often."This makes sense: You lay directly on top of the sheets, so they're the first line of defense against body oils and dust getting to your mattress. Your mattress pad bears of that brunt, too, but not quite as much.