Organic Crib Mattress 101

As a parent, you want what is best for your baby. This includes ensuring that they are safe and comfortable. When it comes to choosing a mattress for your little one, you may be wondering if an organic option is worth the investment.

In this post we will investigate the following

• Pros & Cons for buying an organic crib mattress

• What to look for in an organic crib mattress

• How to know a crib mattress is in fact organic

• The best organic crib mattresses for your needs and budget

Pros & Cons for buying an organic crib mattress

As with every decision in life there are trade offs, and choosing whether to buy an organic crib mattress or not is no exception. Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of organic crib mattresses:

Pros:

• Organic materials are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides

• Organic mattresses are often made with sustainable and natural materials

• Organic mattresses can provide better support and comfort for your baby

Cons:

• Organic crib mattresses can be more expensive than traditional options

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy an organic crib mattress for your baby is up to you, but given that your baby will spend most of their first years sleeping (although it may not feel that way!), why not take the leap?

What to look for in an organic crib mattress

Now that you know some of the benefits of organic crib mattresses, let’s take a look at what to look for when shopping for one. Here are a few important factors:

• Certifications: When looking for an organic crib mattress, be sure to check for certifications from organizations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Greenguard. These ensure that the materials used in the mattress meet strict safety standards.

• Materials: As we mentioned above, organic mattresses are typically made with sustainable and natural materials like wool, cotton, and latex. Be sure to choose a mattress with materials that will be comfortable for your baby and that won’t off-gas harmful chemicals.

• Firmness: A good mattress should provide support for your baby’s developing spine and joints. Look for a mattress with multiple layers of different materials for the best support. Some mattresses have innerspring coils to help with firmness while others offer dual sided options so the mattress can be used for your child as an infant and a toddler.

To read all of our top ten factors check out our post here.

How to know a crib mattress is in fact organic

What is organic? Organic certification for crib mattresses is a process by which a manufacturer can verify that their product meets certain standards for being made with organic materials. For crib mattresses, the organic certifications to look for include :

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - This is the most common and widely recognized organic certification for textile products. For a mattress to be certified under GOTS, it must be made with at least 70% certified organic materials.

• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) - This certification is specific to latex mattresses, and it verifies that the latex in the mattress is organic. For a mattress to be certified under GOLS, it must be made with at least 95% certified organic latex.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) - The USDA NOP certification is similar to the GOTS certification, but it is specific to products made in the United States. For a mattress to be certified under the USDA NOP, it must be made with at least 95% certified organic materials.

There are other, less common organic certifications for crib mattresses, but these three are the most important to look for.

Keep in mind that in order for a crib mattress to be considered organic, it must be certified by one of the above organizations. Many crib mattress contain organic materials, but are not certified as organic. These are not organic crib mattresses.

Do all certified organic mattresses have the same ingredients?

No. Just like any product, there is a range of ingredients that can be used in certified organic mattresses. Some companies use more organic materials than others, and some use different materials altogether. It is important to read the labels on each mattress to see what it is made of and how much of each material is present.

The most common materials are sustainable and natural and include wool, cotton, latex, hemp, bamboo, and coconut. Many companies also use recycled materials, such as steel coils from recycled mattresses. What is the difference between an organic mattress and a natural mattress? An organic mattress is made with certified organic materials, while a natural mattress is made with all natural materials. However, not all natural materials are considered organic. For example, wool can be considered a natural material, but in order for it to be considered organic, it would need to be certified as organic wool.

Organic wool:

Wool is a common material used in organic mattresses. It is considered a natural fiber, meaning it comes from an animal. In order for wool to be certified organic, the animals must be raised according to specific standards set by the certifying organization. These standards include requirements for feed, pasture, and transportation, as well as bans on the use of certain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Organic Cotton:

Cotton is another common material used in organic mattresses. It is a natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant. In order for cotton to be certified organic, the plants must be grown according to specific standards set by the certifying organization . These standards include requirements for planting, harvesting, and transportation, as well as bans on the use of certain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Organic Latex:

Latex is a common material used in organic mattresses. It is a natural substance that comes from the sap of rubber trees. In order for latex to be certified organic, the trees must be grown according to specific standards set by the certifying organization. These standards include requirements for planting, harvesting, and transportation, as well as bans on the use of certain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Dunlap latex is often certified organic :

Dunlop latex is a type of latex that is commonly used in organic mattresses. It is made by harvesting the sap from rubber trees and then processing it into latex. Dunlop latex is considered to be more durable than other types of latex, and it is also less likely to cause allergic reactions. This is the industry's highest quality latex and it is typically certified as GOLS.

Talalay latex cannot be certified organic:

Talalay latex is a type of latex that is also commonly used in organic mattresses. The Talalay production process includes a few extra steps compared to Dunlop: Talalay latex is vacuum-sealed and flash-frozen, two steps not found in how Dunlop is produced. While these extra steps give Talalay a more uniform consistency, it makes Talalay a slightly more expensive ingredient and precludes certification as Organic to USDA or GOLS standards. However, because Talalay latex is often used in combination with other materials, such as wool or cotton, the overall mattress may still qualify as organic if the percentage of Talalay latex in the mattress is low enough for the mattress to pass the requirements of GOTS.

Organic Hemp:

Hemp is a common material used in organic mattresses. It is a natural fiber that comes from the hemp plant. In order for hemp to be certified organic, the plants must be grown according to specific standards set by the certifying organization. These standards include requirements for planting, harvesting, and transportation, as well as bans on the use of certain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Organic Bamboo:

Bamboo is a common material used in organic mattresses. It is a natural fiber that comes from the bamboo plant. In order for bamboo to be certified organic, the plants must be grown according to specific standards set by the certifying organization. These standards include requirements for planting, harvesting, and transportation, as well as bans on the use of certain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Organic Coconut:

Coconut is a common material used in organic mattresses. It is a natural fiber that comes from the coconut tree. In order for coconut to be certified organic, the trees must be grown according to specific standards set by the certifying organization. These standards include requirements for planting, harvesting, and transportation, as well as bans on the use of certain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

Steel coils:

Steel coils are a common material used in organic cirb mattresses. They are made of steel that has been certified by the certifying organization to be free of harmful chemicals and toxins. Steel coils are considered to be more durable than other types of springs, and they are also less likely to cause allergic reactions.

There are many different types of organic crib mattresses on the market, and not all of them are created equal. Here are three things to look for when shopping for an organic mattress:

1. The organic crib mattress should be certified organic by a third party organization like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

2. The organic crib mattress should be made with 100% natural and organic materials.

3. The organic crib mattress should be free of synthetic materials, chemicals, and pesticides.

The best organic crib mattresses for your needs and budget

Now that you know what to look for in an organic crib mattress, let’s take a look at some of the best options on the market. Here are our top picks:

1. My Green Mattress Pure Echo Mattress: This mattress is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool, as well as natural latex. It is also free from harmful chemicals and off-gasses.

2. Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress: Naturepedic offers three organic crib mattress choices. This mattress is their lowed priced option and is made with organic cotton and is GOTS-certified. It is also free from harmful chemicals, flame retardants, and pesticides.

3. Avocado Organic Crib Mattress: Avocado offers three organic crib mattress choices. This mattress is their mid-range option and is made with organic cotton, wool, and natural latex. It is GOTS-certified and free from harmful chemicals and off-gasses.

Check out our side by side comparisons to see more in-depth reasons for making the best choice for your family!

• Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress & Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

• Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress & My Green Mattress Organic Crib Mattress

• Avocado Organic Crib Mattress & My Green Mattress Organic Crib Mattress

No matter which organic crib mattress you choose, you can rest assured knowing that you are providing a safe and comfortable space for your baby to sleep soundly.