Get Parental Peace Of Mind With The Best Organic Crib Mattress (2020 Guide)
Here's the truth: what your little one rests their head on is ultra-important.
Not only do you want to ensure that they rest in perfect form, but on something that is safe in all regards.
After all, what your child breathes in and touches should be pure, organic, and hypoallergenic.
This is why an organic crib mattress is the way to go.
If you’re not exactly sure what makes a mattress “organic” or what additional “certifications” mean, read on to find out so you can choose the best organic mattress possible.
What Makes a Mattress Organic?
When I was making my baby registry, my girlfriends told me one of the items I had to put on my list was an organic mattress.
To be honest, I didn’t put much thought into what really went into the standard mattress, let alone an organic mattress. But, it really does matter in the long run.
A mattress is considered to be truly organic if it is labeled certified organic.
And, the company in charge of making this certification is Control Union (according to the Global Organic Latex Standards, GOLS).
A certified organic label means that 95% of the latex is made from certified organic ingredients.
So, generally, an organic mattress will have an organic latex foam as a support layer, and it will be topped with either a certified organic wool (for softening purposes) and wrapped in certified organic cotton.
There may also be additional certifications that coincide with an organic mattress. Each certification has a different meaning.
What Do All These Certifications Mean?
GOTS
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, and is the world’s leading processing standard for organic textiles and materials.
It has a dual system when checking compliance with criteria. And, it undergoes regular inspections and audit reviews.
GreenGuard
GreenGuard certifies products (like mattresses) that give off low levels of volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs).
VOCs are known to put a human’s health at risk and have been linked to cancer and other health issues.
When VOCs are reduced, there is better indoor air quality, which helps others breathe better, especially babies.
CertiPUR-US
Anything labeled CertiPUR-US means that ozone depleters (also known as CFCs) are
prohibited during the manufacturing process.
So, you can be sure that a mattress with this label is made without dangerous flame retardants.
There is also no trace of mercury, lead (or other heavy metals).
It’s made without formaldehyde, phthalates, and has a low VOC emission.
Why You Might Want an Organic Mattress for Your Baby
You might want an organic mattress for your baby for a number of good reasons.
First, organic mattresses avoid harmful chemicals.
As stated above, there can be some pretty bad stuff hanging around on a non-organic mattress, so certified organic is the way to go to protect your child’s overall health and well-being.
Next, sleeping on an organic mattress is synonymous with a better night’s sleep.
Kids tend to toss and turn less and they feel more comfortable overall.
Wool naturally absorbs sweat and keeps your child cooler, especially during summer months or in non-air conditioned houses.
Also, organic mattresses are made with natural ingredients (mainly rubber or latex), so you don’t have to worry about dust mites.
They are anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic (good for kids with allergies or sensitivities), and toxin free.
Coil vs Foam
Once you decide to go organic, you also have to choose between a mattress composed of coil or foam.
Coil
A coil mattress is heavy and sturdy, providing plenty of support, and tends to be a bit more stiff and rigid.
Coils tend to be long lasting, but can have some exposed or uncomfortable coils over time.
Coils also provide a lot of bounce, so they may not be the best option if your little one is full of energy and likes to jump away in their crib.
Overall, they do provide good edge support and are good for your baby’s spinal alignment.
image via foldupmattress.com
Foam
A foam mattress is lightweight and tends to be more comfortable than coil.
However, it doesn’t have much edge support and isn’t as durable as a coil mattress in the long run.
Foam mattresses have greater contour abilities and are known for keeping your body temperature cool as it conforms to the body.
They are also “silent” so you don’t have to worry about your baby waking up if they roll around in their sleep.
Features to Look For
There are some features that make some organic mattresses better than others:
Best Organic Crib Mattresses
#1. Sealy Soybean Serenity Organic Crib Mattress
Sealy has created a firm foam mattress (click here to check the price on Amazon) made from soybean, for a healthy indoor sleeping environment.
For parents looking for a foam organic crib mattress that is durable, and all-natural, this might be your best option for you. It's crib-tested to fit both USA standard size crib and toddler beds.
What We Like
Made in the U.S. You may appreciate that this mattress was made with soybeans grown by American farmers. Personally, I try to purchase items that were made in the USA whenever I can. From my experience they are better quality and health regulations are more closely monitored.
Lifetime warranty. Like most of Sealy’s products, their organic crib mattress boasts a lifetime warranty on both workmanship and materials alike, so if you're weary of spending the money on a quality item like this, it's nice to know the company will stand behind its quality.
Lightweight. While the Naturepedic mattress weighs in at 20 pounds, the Sealy option weights less than half that (9.2 lbs). This makes for a super easy to change bed due to its lightweight foam.
Certified safe. The foam used in this mattress is CertiPur-US certified and much safer than other alternative foam mattresses that are not. The fabric is Oeko-Tex certified for children as well.
Things to Be Aware Of
Shape. The square corners could be considered a good thing because they do fit into the crib more securely. However, the problem for some moms was that their round corner sheets didn't fit as well. If you have round corner sheets, this may not be worth it, unless you plan to purchase entire new sheet sets also.
#2. Newton Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed
This is a great organic crib mattress to keep in mind, which for one is because the Newton Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed is made with special Breathe-Thru technology (click here to check the price on Amazon), which is proven to reduce the risk of suffocation and CO2 rebreathing.
Due to the high level of breathability that this mattress features, it also helps to keep your baby cool and comfortable during the night. It’s great for temperature regulation.
What We Like
Hypoallergenic – This mattress is made with 100% hypoallergenic materials, thus reducing the risk of your baby having any allergic reactions.
Recyclable – The mattress is made with 100% recyclable materials, thus making it eco-friendly.
Washable – This mattress can be machine washed, not something that many other products allow for.
Free of Chemicals – The mattress is made without any foam, latex, springs, glue, or allergens. It also has a very low VOC content.
Things to Be Aware Of
Smell – The mattress has a very peculiar smell. It definitely needs to be aired out before use.
Size – The mattress is quite a bit smaller than standard cribs and may leave a gap between it and the crib walls.
#3. Newton Wovenaire
Newtown’s Wovenaire crib mattress (click here to check the price on Amazon) is breathable and full of comfort.
It contains zero foam, latex, springs, glue, or allergens, so it’s hypoallergenic.
Its mattress cover is included and it’s firm enough for even a newborn to rest on.
In addition to it’s design, it’s food-grade polymer is used to create a three-dimensional shape that is 90% air by volume, so a lot of planning and technique has gone into its overall function, design, and comfort.
What We Like
High quality layers. You'll love its 3-D spacer because it has two layers of high quality, breathable fabric that gets quilted together to create soft pillows of air. So, it’s pretty much like your child is sleeping on a cloud.
Washable. It’s completely washable, so you get a fresher, more hygienic crib. You can literally put it in the washing machine, or wipe it down with a cloth and bucket.
Two-stage design. It’s also loved because it has a two stage design, so one side can be designated for baby, and the other for toddler. Parents feel they truly get their money’s worth with this purchase.
Low suffocation risk. The mattress has undergone studies and has been determined to be 17 times less likely to serve as a suffocation risk, compared to other mattresses. So, this is a great mattress to get for parents who are overly concerned about SIDS.
Things to Be Aware Of
Say "no" to hot water. Although it’s totally washable, avoid using hot water so it doesn’t shrink. Some parents are reporting this issue.
#4. Colgate EcoSpring Ultra II
Colgate’s Eco-Spring mattress (click here to check the price on Amazon) is super firm and durable.
Boasting 150 thick steel coils and 9.0 gauge steel border rods, you can ensure your baby is going to sleep on something ideal for their fragile and developing bodies.
Greenguard certified, the mattress has a natural coir fiber insulator pad (made from coconut shell husks) that provides lots of comfort.
It also has some eco-friendly hypoallergenic foam throughout its design as well.
What We Like
Perfect fit. You'll love that the overall fit with this mattress is never an issue. It’s suitable for all cribs and toddler beds.
Fire-resistant. It’s naturally fire resistant, so it’s not treated (or harmful to come in contact with your baby).
Just the right size. It’s also not overly heavy, so changing sheets is never an issue. It also doesn’t have a smell once it comes out of the box, as many mattresses do!
Things to Be Aware Of
Waterproof only. Be aware that the mattress is wet proof, but not waterproof, like some other mattresses you can fully soak to clean.
Bouncy. Because this is a spring mattress, keep a close eye on your kiddo once they learn to stand and jump, since the springs can make things pretty bouncy! The last thing you want them to do is bounce right over the edge!
#5. Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Crib Mattress
If you're hunting for a coil organic crib mattress with dual firmness, this one from Naturepedic may be the one for you.
It's a 150-coil, 100% organic cotton mattress that fits just about any standard crib frame.
What we like
Waterproof. Being waterproof is an excellent quality to have in any mattress, as we all know how messy babies are. Spills and messes that don’t get cleaned up right away in other mattresses can soak in and leave bacteria for your baby to inhale. With the Naturepedic, spills simply pool or bead up for a quick, easy, wipe-down.
Certified quality. Naturepedic is both GREENGUARD and GOTS certified, so you can be assured the materials are safe for your little one: 100% organic cotton and no memory foam.
Dual sided. The Naturepedic is great for long term use. It has two different firmnesses on either side: one is slightly firmer for infants and younger children, while the other is softer enough for a toddler to sleep on. It's a mattress that will grow right alongside your child.
Things to be aware of
Heavy. There's no way around it, this mattress is downright heavy. Due to its high quality of materials, it weighs 20 pounds! So, it can sometimes be a difficult task to change the bedding.
Slight sag. After a couple of years of using it, some moms have noticed a slight dip on the firmer infant side. What they did was simply flip the mattress over and use the other side.
Wrapping Up
The right mattress can make a world of difference.
Your baby sleeps better, gets perfectly positioned and supported, sleeps safely, and on a high quality eco-conscious bed.
Certified organic really is the way to go if you’re looking for something that is good for your baby’s health and that is ultimately going to give you peace of mind.
Consider the features that make certain mattresses stand out more than others, and the five recommendations above before making your final selection.
