Toxin-Free Crib Mattresses

What's Inside the Mattress

• Popular crib mattresses are made with polyurethane foam and coated with vinyl. These materials are considered toxic, and some parents feel that their babies should not sleep near these chemicals. Polyurethane foam is a petroleum product with chemicals added. Vinyl is one of the most toxic plastics used, The Healthy Child claims. To make the hard vinyl soft, even more potentially hazardous chemicals are added to the vinyl. Nearly all crib mattresses have flame retardants. While these chemicals do prevent fires, they stay around in the body.

Purchasing a Non-Toxic Mattress

• Even organic and eco-friendly mattresses can have chemical additives. For instance, some now contain bamboo; however, the manufacturing process still requires a lot of chemicals. When you are purchasing a toxin-free mattress, search for one that is made of natural materials that are labeled organic, such as wool or cotton. Products in the mattress should be labeled organic from the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and should follow the Global Organic Textile Standards. These standards require that all fabrics used in manufacturing be made from materials from the NOP. Some organic mattresses claim that they are certified by mattress industries. However, some of these certifications do not mean much. Before buying, check out any certification claims to see if they are worth noting.

Considerations

• The older a crib mattress is, the fewer toxins it will release. If you cannot afford a toxin-free crib mattress, purchase your mattress well before your due date, unwrap it and let it "breathe" until you need to use it. Flame retardants, however, do not go away. They have been linked to many health concerns. These chemicals do not break down, but there are things you can do at home to minimize their effects. Vacuum frequently, including the furniture, with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner.

Safety Considerations

• When searching for a crib mattress, toxin-free or not, search for the hardest mattress you can find. If it feels soft to you, then it will pose a danger to your baby. Consumer Reports says that soft mattresses can conform to the baby's shape, which can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).