Protect your Baby’s Health with an Organic Crib Mattress
Young America cribs are GREENGUARD certified to protect babies from exposure to potentially harsh chemicals. Cribs that are not GREENGUARD certified or crib mattresses not certified “Organic” may “off-gas” and be unhealthy for a baby.
The term “Off-gassing” refers to the evaporation of synthetic compounds used in manufacturing products, from cars to computers and toys to tennis balls and cribs and other home furnishings. Two identifiable types of off-gases are the “new car” and “new carpet” smells, but they can be odorless too.
What are the Health Risks of off-gassing?
Exposure to or inhalation of these airborne gases may cause asthma, coughing, rash, hives, watery eyes and compromised immunity. To avoid the health risks of off-gassing, we recommend pairing a Young America crib with an organic crib mattress to ensure a pollutant-free nursery and indoor environment. You will also want to be mindful of other elements in a baby’s living space, including carpets, wall paint and even toys.
What is an Organic Crib Mattress?
Mattresses made with organic, non-toxic materials, without conventional chemicals (ie: formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride or PVC) and meet strict standards. The mattresses are, of course, not 100% organic as 1) they are not an agricultural products and 2) you probably do not want a biodegradable mattress, but they are made with the highest percentage of non-toxic materials available and meet strict standards for health and safety.
Why Choose an Organic Crib Mattress?
Parents and physicians recommend an organic crib mattress as an important way to avoid unnecessary exposure to the off-gassing of toxic chemicals.
What are the Certification Standards for an Organic Mattress?
Organic mattresses, like other certified products made with organic fiber and textiles, are certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The largest U.S. GOTS approved certifier is Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO).
In particular, the GOTS standard requires that all fiber and fabrics, with limited exceptions, must be made from certified materials that meet the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standard and are processed in accordance with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
All other components (such as innersprings, fire protection, etc.) must meet stringent Federal standards for health and safety.
Are Mattresses labeled “Eco” or “Green” good too? Not really.
“Eco” and “Green” are not regulated terms and can be misleading. For example, plant-derived or soybean foam used in many eco mattresses are vastly petroleum/chemical-based and not really made of soybeans. Likewise, bamboo fabric found in eco models is typically made using environmentally-toxic chemicals with no trace of bamboo plant in the finished product. Many of these eco materials may sound enticing, but are not truly natural or green and are certainly not focused on eliminating harmful chemicals.
Where to Buy an Organic Crib Mattress?
We recommend two companies as organic crib mattress sources - made in USA - as healthy companions to our GREENGUARD certified Young America cribs:
Naturpedic and Colgate mattresses are broadly distributed or may be ordered directly via their websites. FMI contact a Young America Signature Shop or retailer in your area: Young America Store Locator
