Help with finding healthy baby "gear"

[Izzybelly]

I have been trying to buy mattresses, etc. that lack flame retardant chemicals and other materials that off-gas, but I am struggling with "baby gear."  My MIL wants to buy us a playard, which is very sweet of her, but I can't find any organic or chem-free mattresses to fit in them (or any eco-friendly playards, for that matter).  Lots of organic sheets, but... what's the point of that if the mattress fumes get right through?  Does anyone have a good source for this sort of thing?  Advice?  Thanks so much.

[cat13]

No advice, but I wanted to sub to see what others say.

[Snapdragon]

I got our crib mattress from "Dax" sotres ( online) google Dax organic crib mattress and you can ifnd it! I love their products, all natural and organic baby bedding and mattresses etc. Not so much gear thuogh- but mattresses yes

[Izzybelly]

Thanks for the Dax Stores referral!  It shifted me to searching for an eco-friendly crib/mattress, which are at least out there. 

We're going to try for a used playard - don't know how I will explain that to my MIL, but oh well...

[talia rose]

I am a Mothering mama for 19 years now who sells non-toxic baby products and eco home as well. Use the code MOTHERING to get 10% off your orders.....we make latex mattresses to fit all co-sleepers and playards....

[happy*mama]

Naturepedic mattresses are safe and when I was shopping for baby gear in 09 they had playard mattresses too.  Good luck : )

[Izzybelly]

Thanks!!!!!

[1love4ever]

Natures Purest has organic baby gear http://www.albeebaby.com/summer-infant-sleepy-safari-playard.html   I think they still use polyester fill, but it has no flame retardants and is made of organic cotton.  I would write to them to be sure though because they are not an all organic company, they just make certain products.  BTW, I never once used the play yard that I got.  And I always(and still) co-slept with my baby so I never worried about toxins in crib mattresses or play yards or bassinetts, just invest in a mattress for yourself, such as one from organicgrace.

[happy*mama]

Originally Posted by 1love4ever 

Natures Purest has organic baby gear http://www.albeebaby.com/summer-infant-sleepy-safari-playard.html   I think they still use polyester fill, but it has no flame retardants and is made of organic cotton.  I would write to them to be sure though because they are not an all organic company, they just make certain products.  BTW, I never once used the play yard that I got.  And I always(and still) co-slept with my baby so I never worried about toxins in crib mattresses or play yards or bassinetts, just invest in a mattress for yourself, such as one from organicgrace.

That is the play yard I purchased.  I only used it a few times and our son slept with us most of the few times we brought it with us.  Just used it for a couple of naps.  Not necessary, we could have done without it, but it made me feel better to know I had a backup with me when traveling, just in case.  I bought organic quilted play yard mattress pads to go over the pathetic "pad" that the play yard came with.  I almost purchased the naturepedic mattress for play yards, but just couldn't justify the extra cost if we were only going to use it a few times.  Now that I think about it, we would have done just as well to have purchase the naturepedic play yard mattress and put it on the floor Montessori style for those times when we traveled and ds was napping and we weren't able to stay in the room with him so we couldn't just leave him on the big bed.  For home, a chemical free mattress for your own bed is a great investment.  I am looking at getting a Shifman mattress next, they are natural, made with sustainable materials, and hand tied, but not organic.