Confused about crib mattress choices

[soymilk]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a crib mattress and reading about toxic chemicals makes me want to buy an organic mattress but they are pricey. I would appreciate any suggestions on these 4 choices and if there are more choices, I would love suggestions! I would like to keep the price under $250. thanks so much!

-Do all mattresses have a vinyl cover? Any harm in removing it?

1. Naturepedic mattress - got good reviews on amazon but its $250
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...efix=naturpedi

2. LA baby 2-in one organic mattress. It's confusing and slightly deceptive as whether the cotton top is the part that is organic but it is also treated with boric acid per the description

http://www.cymaxstores.com/Common/Pr...aspx?ID=171000

3. Ikea mattress - this article surprisingly said it is made with less toxic chemicals
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-...tress-55121201

4. Sealy soybean mattress - this seems to have good reviews.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sealy-Soyb...endly/10391802

[mishaj]

Hi,

I'm not sure I can be much help about choices- we have friends who have the naturopedic and love it, but yes, it is pricey.

What about second hand? We were given a foam core/ vinyl covered crib mattress that was about five years old but only used for one year that was in perfect condition. My sense was that it had off-gassed enough over those five years and that with an organic mattress pad encasing it and organic top sheet- we would be fine and it would be very cost effective solution. We were also given a mattress in very poor condition which we put on the floor now for jumping on, so clearly quality matters and you would know the difference...

In the end, our choice works well for our family because dd has never once slept in her crib. For two years she has slept with us so I am so glad we didn't invest in a high cost mattress, and I feel we have a safe alternative just in case she ever chooses to sleep on it...

Good luck!

Mj

[evjolin]

read this==this whole website is extremely helpful for what's good and what's bad for children, environmentally:

http://www.healthychild.com/toxic-sl...ds-been-found/

it says in the article to avoid used mattresses....used mattresses triple the risk of sids.

one thing you could consider, (and i'm sure if you googled it you could get the info) is that in new zealand they did a study where they wrapped the mattresses, essentially sealing the gasses in. not sure what they used, but i know it was effective.

i'm with you on this whole thing....i don't want to spend the money, but i feel like i have no choice.

oops--my edit: this is the website i meant to give you, full of good info: http://healthychild.org/search/resul...%2Fmain%2F#949 (.com vs .org) am not deleting the first link, because it's a good article too. just not sure of the author.

[blueeyes]

I am curious to see all the replies to this as well. I too was reading up on the Naturpedic mattress. I also was looking into this one, which is a little less pricey, although I believe the cover is vynil, but phthalate free:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2863621

[Galatea]

We got the top of the line Naturepedic cotton one for dd's toddler bed. It is really nice and worth it.

[Amila]

http://organicgrace.com/ntb_crib-mattresses

We got ours here- very nice and cheap!

[rootzdawta]

Moved from I'm Pregnant to Life with a Babe

[Asiago]

Here's another choice:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2863621

It's out of stock on the site but the stores usually have them (they sell quickly though).

[Jayray]

You might also consider a futon crib mattress. If you do a lot of shopping, you might be able to find one for $250. I think that's how much I paid for mine, but then it was a little over $300 with shipping.

You can get them stuffed with cotton or wool or a mix of the two.

[jammomma]

We bought the Naturepedic organic crib mattress. It is very hard and my son just couldn't get comfortable on it. We paid almost $300, and it never gets used. Our son ended up bed-sharing with us, even though that wasn't our original plan.

If I had it to do over....I wouldn't buy it.

[SarahDC]

Originally Posted by Amila

http://organicgrace.com/ntb_crib-mattresses

We got ours here- very nice and cheap!

We bought this one as well, and love it. We justified the expense because she spends a lot of time on it - we sidecarred our crib so she's been sleeping in it since birth, naps too. And we're planning several more children to use it as well.

[mishaj]

Hi Ladies,

I didn't read the article, but just curious- if used mattresses really increase the risk of SIDS by 3x, wouldn't you need to buy a new one for each child you have and not pass it down to the next?
We got ours from a best friend who is like an older sister to dd and the mattress is in perfect condition. Just wondering why or how anyone could come to that conclusion? Oh well, better go read the article..
Mj

[marinak1977]

nak excuse the typos
i honestly wonder if that study was sponsored by sealy or simmons...

[jdg]

I sympathize with being confused. I did a ton of research and still felt like I ws just making an educated guess. I ended up buying this one from L.A. Baby for $180. I had about the same budget as you do, and this one seemed to meet my needs.

Do some research on boric acid before being scared off by it. It's no more toxic than table salt (which can also be toxic in large amounts) and I could find no actual research saying it is harmful in the amounts used in crib mattresses.

[earthnut]

Toxic fumes causing SIDS is a myth. I'm far more concerned about the known risk of skin contact with flame-retardants on the mattress, baby clothes, and car seat. Flame retardants on the mattress can be easily prevented from touching your child by using sheets. (For clothes, I only use ones that are "not intended as sleepwear", or are organic, or made by Carter's.)

I have a hand-me-down mattress covered with a waterproof pad and organic cotton sheets. Safe and far more affordable than an organic mattress.

[olien]

we got one from www.motherearthnurserydesigns.com It is 100% organic & $275. My sister was debating on the Naturepedic too, but I dont think its all organic & to spend an extra $25 to be certain. I feel it is worth the money. My sister was glad she went with the all org in the end.

The mattress also meets all NAOMI Standards. (National Assoc of Organic Mattress Industry)

I'd say skip the crib & get the org mattress. Use it as a floor bed. It was the best choice we ever made.

[azohri]

I recommend skipping the crib. We bought a budget latex twin from organic grace and put it on the floor. It's fantastic! I can lay and nurse my LO to sleep and then roll away, and we'll never have to worry about him climbing out of the crib. Of course, you do have to baby proof the whole room really well (and we gate the door), but you'd have to do that anyway really.

[gracemamma]

I don't think we know yet what causes SIDS but I find the New Zealand research into this really compelling. They went from having the highest per capita SIDS rate in the world to having zero SIDS deaths as soon as they wrapped all crib mattresses in polyethylene covers. The theory of the scientist who recommended this action is that mold spores interact with the chemicals in the mattresss to create gases that can harm babies. This is why their research found that the SIDS rates increased by birth order due to reuse of crib mattresses.

On the crib issue- w've got two in the garage that have not been used- just like the cosleeper! Will try side carring soon though. Thanks for all the mattress discussions. I had thought about getting an all wool one from kelly green.

[sugarpop]

Okay so I found the crib mattress wraps. I like the idea! I had a little extra cash and splurged on my crib mattress ($400)http://www.daxstores.com/v-criblq.html. oh and I asked for a discount in an email and they gave me 5% off just because...never hurts to ask!

This wrap is much more economical and good to use on any mattress!
http://www.eves-best.com/babesafe-mattress-covers.htm

[jammomma]

Originally Posted by azohri

I recommend skipping the crib. We bought a budget latex twin from organic grace and put it on the floor. It's fantastic! I can lay and nurse my LO to sleep and then roll away, and we'll never have to worry about him climbing out of the crib. Of course, you do have to baby proof the whole room really well (and we gate the door), but you'd have to do that anyway really.

I wish we had done this!