FAQ: Why are Organic Crib Mattresses Safer than Your Traditional Crib Mattresses? – They Reduce Contact with Harmful Toxins.

How come an organic crib mattress is safer than standard non-organic ones?
Organic crib mattresses have far less potentially harmful chemicals and allergens, so greatly reduce your vulnerable infant's absorption of toxins through breathing and contact. They will therefore provide for a more comfortable and restful night's sleep.

Non-Organic Crib Mattresses

Traditional crib mattresses are generally made out of polyester fiberfill and a cover of cotton or a plastic product. Many plastic products contain chemicals that are now suspected of being carcinogenic and many gas off potentially harmful chemicals. Polyester is a petroleum-based product that is highly flammable and so is generally treated with a chemical fire retardant that also gasses off to be inhaled by anyone who comes into close contact with it, such as a sleeping baby. Think cotton is safer? Think again. Cotton ranks only behind corn as the top crop for chemical use. All those synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, defoliators and more are stored up in that cotton, not to mention bleach residue and possibly chemical dyes as well. There is evidence to support that these sorts of chemicals can be one of the triggers for SIDS, so why do you want your baby to sleep with them?

What are Organic Crib Mattresses?

An organic crib mattress is generally made of natural rubber or latex for the impermeability desired for children who are still in diapers. Most commonly these mattresses have a shell of organic cotton or wool; these organic products have to meet stringent guidelines pertaining to how they are grown and how the finished product is produced. If there is an approved organic label on any cotton product you can rest assured that it has been grown without the use of any potentially harmful chemicals and that it has not been genetically modified in any way. All organic fibers have been processed without any added chemicals such as flame retardants, bleach or synthetic dyes.

What Makes Organic Crib Mattresses Safer?

Aside from the lack of potentially harmful chemicals in the growing and processing of the components involved, organic mattresses are safer for a few other reasons. First, organic mattresses are hypoallergenic as organic wool and natural rubber or latex repels dust mites, mildew and mold. Next, firm mattresses are recommended for infants because it gives them better support and there is less chance of suffocation against fluffy mattress tops; organic mattresses are evenly firm and comfortable, an effect that is difficult to achieve with a standard spring mattress. Finally, temperature regulation is a must for an infant's overnight comfort and overheating has also been linked to SIDS; organic wool naturally regulates body temperature and draws moisture away from baby's skin for a more comfortable sleep and safer sleep, especially when used in conjunction with natural, toxin free bedding.