What should I look for when shopping for an organic crib mattress?
Our Assistant Editor, Jes, asked us before she went on maternity leave, and we got Janelle Witzel of Environmental Defense, to answer;
Shopping for a good baby mattress can be a challenge and shopping for a chemical-free one even more so. Given the oodles of online resources available to help parents-to-be find the perfect mattress for their newest addition, the following summarized list has been assembled to help guide eco-conscious parents looking for one.
- Look for a firm and tight-fitting mattress (you shouldn’t be able to fit two side-by-side fingers between the side of the baby crib and the mattress).
- Make sure the mattress is breathable, but that vents are not near a baby’s face.
- Look for mattresses made from organic materials and that don’t contain PVC (“vinyl”), polyurethane foam (which can give off toluene), or toxic flame retardants (such as PBDEs).
- Whether a mattress is organic or not, consider adding an organic mattress pad to provide softness and comfort, and absorb liquids while retaining mattress firmness.
And when it comes to the specifics of organic mattress options, you will have two different types to choose from:
An innerspring model
These are less expensive and almost fully made from 100% organic cotton. They are comprised of steel coils and border rods (look for those that have not been treated with oils or chemicals), and are often supported and covered with organic cotton padding (which is grown without chemicals). They may be encased in organic wool (which is naturally fire resistant, breathable, mildew resistant, and repels dust mites), and some may also have a waterproof surface composed of food grade polyethylene. Choose your coil count wisely to ensure durability (generally 150 coils of 13.5 gauge steel is good), and remember that heavy-duty border rods provide good support for any standing child. Those using wool are naturally flame-retardant.
A natural latex foam model
These are expensive as production costs are high (note that any cheap 100% latex crib mattress that doesn’t say it is natural probably isn’t). They are comprised of a core made from natural rubber (which is naturally absorbent and prevents pests from inhabiting the interior), are often encased in organic wool and then covered with organic cotton. They may also use organic coir/coconut fibers. In general, heavier foams are a good indication of foam quality, and these mattresses are naturally flame-resistant, anti-microbial, and made from renewable resources.
As the Toxic Nation Coordinator at Environmental Defence, Janelle Witzel is involved in researching and reporting on human exposure to toxic chemicals, particularly those found in consumer products.
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