Best non toxic crib mattress for your baby.
While it might not seem like it at the time… Between naps and nighttime, babies spend the majority of their first year asleep. As parents we do everything we can to make sure that their sleep is as safe as possible.
We remove suffocation hazards, we position the baby safely, we swap blankets for adorable wearable sleep suits… but what about the materials that the baby is sleeping on?
Technology has revealed that the crib mattresses we once thought of as safe are often filled with dangerous materials and toxic chemicals. Fortunately, many companies are now producing crib mattresses with maximum safety in mind. There are numerous non-toxic crib mattresses available today.
But between organic, eco-friendly and non-toxic, how do we determine the safest crib mattress for our babies? We did the footwork to find the top 5 non-toxic crib mattresses and give you the latest information on how to choose the safest sleep surfaces for your baby.
Read on to learn more about the best non-toxic crib mattresses that will help you, and your baby, sleep easier.
Note: this blog post probably contains affiliate links, which means we may receive small commissions from purchases made through links in this post (at NO extra cost to you). You can read our full disclosure for more information.
TL:DR (too long, didn’t read)
Short on time? Ultimately, we decided that the Avocado was the best buy because of its affordability and credentials. You can check it out here on their website.
The Top 5 Non Toxic Crib Mattresses
Avocado
Our favorite! The Avocado organic crib mattress has a dual sided design; a firm side for infants and a slightly softer side for older babies.
All of the materials including an organic coconut husk pad, Dunlop natural organic latex, 100% organic certified wool and organic certified cotton knit cover are either GOLS or GOTS certified. It is also Greenguard Gold Certified.
The Avocado company has taken the production of organic mattresses to new levels. With the mantra, “Green is our passion,” they are the only Climate Neutral Certified mattress and bedding brand.
The Avocado factories are powered entirely by renewable energy. They grow and produce their own natural latex and even have their own sheep farms for sourcing wool. This organic crib mattress is handcrafted in the USA.
Pros
- Very climate conscious company that gives 1% of revenue to environmental causes
- GOTS certified, GOLS certified, Greenguard Gold certified, Made Safe Certified, Oeko-Tex certified, certified Formaldyhyde free
- Dual-sided mattress
- 30-night trial
Cons
- Reviewers mention that this mattress is quite heavy
Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress
The Naturepedic company has been making organic mattresses since 2003. To ensure that their crib mattresses are made with only the safest materials, they operate an organic eco-factory.
Since ONLY organic mattresses and bedding are made in their factory there is less chance of contamination from other, less safe materials.
This organic crib mattress is their 2-Stage version, with one side of the mattress more firm for infants and the other side slightly softer for older babies.
Naturepedic also has a unique way of waterproofing their fabric. They coat organic cotton fabric with an eco-polymer made from non-GMO sugar cane. The resulting waterproof fabric is safe and protects the mattress from drool, spit-up and diaper leaks. This Naturepedic mattress is made without polyurethane foam, vinyl/PVC, PFAS or non-waterproof fabrics with polyurethane backing, biocides, formaldehyde, flame retardant chemicals or flame barriers.
Pros
- Lightweight (10-12 pounds)
- Double sided (firm on one side for infants and softer for toddlers)
- GOTS certified, Made Safe certified, Greenguard certified
Cons
- Runs small for some cribs (make sure to measure)
- Some reviewers mention that the springs don’t hold up very long, causing a sag in the middle of the mattress
Emily Crib Mattress
My Green Mattress’s Emily crib mattress comes with many certifications including: GOTS, Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and Greenguard Certified for low chemical emissions. Inside this mattress you’ll find a 150 coil innerspring with supportive edge, organic cotton batting, and an all-natural organic coconut pad. The Oeko-Tex certified Eco-wool quilted cover acts as a natural flame retardant.
Pros
- Double-sided: you can flip/rotate it to prevent sagging
- Guaranteed against manufacturers defects for 10 years, 120 night sleep trial
- GOTS certified, GOLS certified, Oeko-Tex certified, Greenguard Gold certified
- Handcrafted in the USA
- Military discount available
Cons
- Curved edges may allow a gap in some cribs
- Some reviewers complain about the strong wool smell
Lifekind
Parents will love the variety of options available from Lifekind for non-toxic crib mattresses.
You can choose from a firm 280 coil innerspring core OR an extra-firm certified organic natural rubber core. It also comes in standard crib size (coil and rubber), oval crib or oval bassinet.
The core is covered on both sides with a double stitched quilted cover of GOTS certified organic cotton and wool. Lifekind products are handmade in an organic mattress “EcoFactory” to prevent contamination.
These crib mattresses are certified to both the GOTS standard and the GOLS standard and meet the Greenguard Gold product emission standard for children.
Pros
- Several size options and two core options
- Double-sided: you can flip/rotate it to prevent sagging
- GOTS certified, GOLS certified, Greenguard Gold certified
- Lifekind sources organic materials from as close by as possible, mattresses are handcrafted in the USA
- 90-day Mattress Comfort Exchange guarantee
Cons
- Higher price-tag
Green Cradle
The Footprint Green Cradle Crib Mattress has an extra firm 4” 100% organic latex core that is wrapped on both sides with 100% GOTS certified organic wool quilted in between 2 layers of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The company was started by a family that had health issues due to chemicals found in children’s products. The materials for Green Cradle’s crib mattress are sourced from all over the world and are certified organic. This mattress is both GOTS and GOLS certified.
Pros
- Reviewers mention excellent customer service
- Double-sided: you can flip/rotate it to prevent sagging
- GOTS and GOLS certified
- 1 year limited warranty
Cons
- No Greenguard Certification for chemical emissions
What is a Non Toxic Crib Mattress and Why You Need One
You want the best for your baby, and that includes protecting them from inhaling or being exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep. Crib mattresses of old were made with unsafe materials that off-gassed, or released harmful chemical gasses.
There are many non-toxic crib mattresses available on the market today. They have various price points and different certifications that may seem confusing.
Let’s breakdown what the different certifications mean:
- Greenguard Certified: products that achieve this certification are scientifically tested to meet rigorous third party chemical emissions standards. Products with this certification emit little to no chemical gasses.
- GOLS Certified: GOLS stands for Global Organic Latex Standard. It evaluates the farming and manufacturing process of latex (rubber) and the organic level of the latex that is produced. Companies can receive GOLS certification for just the latex material or for the entire mattress.
- GOTS Certified: GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It is a third party verification of the entire organic supply chain (from harvest to manufacturing) for a company. GOTS certified means the product is organic and was produced with environmentally and socially responsible processing.
- Oeko-Tex Certified: This certification comes from the International Association for Research and Testing. It looks at “the human-ecological safety of textile products” from raw materials to end products.
- Made Safe Certified: Made Safe is America’s first non-toxic seal for products. When you see this certification it ensures that no known or suspected toxic ingredients were used in their production.
Each mattress will have varying levels of certifications. Research and decide which certifications are most important to you and use that information to choose your baby’s non-toxic mattress.
The Different Types of Crib Mattresses
When it comes to non-toxic crib mattresses, you’ll find a few different types available including:
- Coil Core: These are the more traditional mattress construction, with coils wrapped in softer materials
- Rubber Core: Mattresses with a rubber core are similar to memory foam mattresses. The core is made out of natural rubber instead of springs.
- Dual-Sided (same firmness): These mattresses can be flipped to prevent sagging
- Dual-sided (different firmness): Some mattresses have different levels of firmness on each side. One firm side for infants and a softer side for older babies. A more comfortable mattress might mean the difference between a restless night or a good night’s sleep for older babies.
4 Benefits Of Using A Non Toxic Crib Mattress
Making the switch from a traditional to a non-toxic crib mattress will benefit you and your baby in the following ways:
- Peace-of-mind: You will know you made your best effort to prevent your baby from being exposed to toxic chemicals on their sleep surface.
- Cooler/warmer sleep surface: Wool, which is used in most non-toxic crib mattresses is naturally warm or cool depending on the weather. This will help your baby sleep more comfortably than traditional plastic mattress covers.
- Comfort: Many people find rubber core mattresses to be more comfortable than coil or spring mattresses.
- Decrease your carbon footprint: Choosing a company that is environmentally conscious will decrease your family’s emissions for a better future.
3 Things To Look For In A Good Crib Mattress
Anytime you are shopping for an eco-friendly product you need to be aware of the signs of “Green Washing.” Green Washing is a term that describes a company that focuses more time and money on marketing themselves as a “green” company than by doing the actual work to minimize their environmental impact. To avoid Green Washing companies and to find the best non-toxic crib mattresses, look for the following:
- Well-known certifications: Just touting “green,” “non-toxic” or “sustainable” isn’t enough. Find products that have gone through the process to become certified
- A clear breakdown of materials: You should know and recognize the names of all of the materials used.
- A trial or guarantee: Every baby is different. Some mattresses will work better for your baby.
The Final Word
As you choose a mattress for your baby, being aware of the materials it is made from as well as the manner in which those materials are produced will help you make the best decision for your family.
Our highest recommendation for a non-toxic crib mattress goes to the Avocado Organic Crib Mattress. Besides having the most certifications, they have gone above and beyond to make their company sustainable.
If your budget is tight but you are set on a non-toxic crib mattress, Naturepedic’s Organic Crib Mattress is light-weight, affordable and has several impressive certifications.
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