What is an Organic Crib Mattress?

Description

• An organic crib mattress has twice the coils of a standard synthetic mattress. The springs are oval-shaped to lessen the wear on the coils. The filling is made of flame retardant and organically grown cotton or wool and exceeds the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for fire resistance.

Certified Standards

• A mattress must meet the standards of the National Association of Organic Mattress Industry to be qualified as organic. The mattress materials must be certified organic and free of synthetic fabrics and toxic chemicals such as lead, arsenic and formaldehyde.

Caution

• Some organic crib mattresses on the market are not made with 100 percent natural organic materials. Manufacturers are permitted to add up to 60 percent of artificial materials to a mattress and still label the product as "organic."

Cost

• Most certified organic mattresses are twice the price of a synthetic mattress. Blended mattresses that are labeled as organic can be sold at a lower cost than those that are 100 percent organic.

Health and Safety

• According to an article published in Parenting Magazine, many household products, including synthetic crib mattresses, may contain chemicals that have been shown to affect children's health. Organic crib mattresses are free of the chemicals and toxins that a baby may breathe in while sleeping.